Low-Maintenance Landscaping

We know that curb-appeal and beautiful gardens help sell a home but it's not always easy to achieve these things with our busy schedules. Low-maintenance landscaping is great for sellers who are out of town or who don't have the time to look after a property.

Let's start with the lawn itself. Grass can be very time-demanding, as it requires regular watering and mowing. If you neglect a grass lawn, it will give away your secret by turning browning or growing into a messy jungle. Clover and moss are good alternatives to grass, because they are low growing and require little care.

If an all-clover or moss lawn isn't your style, low-maintenance lawn mixes can be purchased instead. These lawns are usually derived from a mixture of slow-growing, drought-tolerant turf grasses, broadleafs and fescues. Note that these often include clover, but mixes
The primary ingredient in a rock garden is, of course, rock. These are then accented with plants that require minimal care. In general, choose rocks that are larger, because smaller rocks can be a nightmare to clear of leaflitter. Even if you don't think you have trees nearby, autumn will prove differently. Gardens that use larger rocks can be vacuumed of excess debris, while smaller rocks may get sucked up and cause problems.

The best rock gardens are complemented by their plants, but the plants themselves don't need to be showy. Rather than choosing a wide variety of plants, stick to a few types and repeat them throughout the garden. Good base plants for rock gardens are lichens and mosses, while nurseries and garden stores can suggest good flowering plants for your region.

A great way to green up your landscape with minimal effort is with trees. Trees do need to be pruned but the reward is worth it. Evergreens are the most desirable trees, as they don't shed, while deciduous trees can make a beautiful statement if you're willing to rake the