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30 Days Favorites: Make Landscaping Easier

As I read through 30 Days to a Simpler Life (aff), I tried to apply the suggestions. The chapter, titled “Make Landscaping Easier” is about simplifying the outside of your dwelling. If you live in a place where the landscaping is taken care of by an outside service, this is the ultimate in simplicity! However, for those of us who live in houses, there are steps we can take.

What is Simple Landscaping?

Simple landscaping involves making it so the plants outside of your house require little maintenance. Planting plants that come back year after year (perennials) is one way to minimize fussing from year to year. Choosing plants native to your area, and therefore used to the conditions your area presents, eliminates a lot of watering and special care tasks. Mulching appropriately will conserve moisture and cut down on water needs. Limiting the number of things you plant will make it easier to recognize what is a plant and what is a weed.

My Plans for Simple Landscaping

My garden got away from me this year. We live in a house where we are establishing landscaping, and that takes effort. Most of the beds are mulched and weed free. However, the one side of the house that I reserve for cutting flowers and vegetables is currently waist-high in grasses and weeds. I went in to pull weeds in the vegetable area and discovered two cantaloupes, a zucchini and a green pepper.

I have resolved to simplify that bed. This fall I will weed-whack all the plants there, then cover the bed with a thick layer of newspaper and landscaping fabric. In January I will start the seeds for my garden indoors. These will include perennial flowers, herbs, vegetables, and a small amount of annual flowers. These will be transferred outdoors in April. This fall I will redo the pots by my front door, putting in water wicking material in the bottom, refreshing the soil and plants and setting up portable drip irrigation for them.

All of the plants will be adapted to this area and will be useful as well as decorative.

I hope that these plans cure my garden woes. If not, I have a feeling my partner will take over the beds and I will lose my gardening privileges.

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