Written by John Katterjohn
Frequently when speaking with a prospective client we are asked to make a yard beautiful by installing a carefully planned garden that requires no maintenance. After quietly chuckling to ourselves and shaking our heads we try to explain that there is no such thing as a no maintenance garden. We can however produce low maintenance gardens that can tailor to people who want to do little or no outside work. 
Careful consideration of the planting palette can lead us to recommend plants and planting styles that help reduce the need for high intensity gardening labor. Cultural practices become a key factor as well.
Let’s start with cultural practices. Always start with a clean slate. Weeds are the gardener’s main enemy, so when installing a new planting be sure that the site is weed free. This will reduce the amount of maintenance labor by a great deal. An application of herbicide to existing weeds is a good start. Wait a couple of weeks after application and determine if existing weeds are dead. A second application may be necessary. After the weeds are successfully killed, remove the foliage. In preparing the soil for planting it is also a good idea to incorporate a pre-emergent herbicide into the soil mix to control any weeds that might germinate from seed. Weed seeds are able to lie dormant in the soil for a very long time and cultivation of the soil can stimulate them to sprout and grow. Always stay ahead in the battle with weeds.
Mulching is also very important in the maintenance program. It reduces the need for excessive watering and also helps control weeds. Another trick to use against weeds is also high density planting. A garden that has plants very close together can reduce the amount of weeding required. A tight garden can also eliminate the need to mulch regularly, there is simply no place to put any mulch and this technique can save a lot of time. We would much rather see garden plants than look at a sea of mulch with a few plants scattered here and there.
The use of goundcovers in a planting bed can also eliminate the need for extensive weeding. Just remember, start clean and stay ahead of the weeds.
Plant selection is very important. Instead of planting annuals year after year, consider using perennials. Perennials require much less labor and keep on giving long after the first year they are planted. Select plants that have few pest problems. Native plants have excellent pest resistance and generally don’t become invasive. The use of dwarf trees and shrubs can help reduce the need for pruning labor. Placement is key also. Don’t put a plant in a place that will require a lot of pruning. Select plants that look good in their natural state. A formal garden requires a lot of pruning, so steer away from the sculptured look.
Finally, consider the perfect lawn. A perfect lawn requires a lot of maintenance including regular mowing, fertilization, irrigation, and weed control. Instead of a lawn consider a low stature prairie planting. Once established the meadow requires only the annual mowing and occasional weeding.
In conclusion, there are many ways to make beautiful low maintenance gardens that do not require a lot of excessive labor. When considering a new planting think about what you want it to look like and consider the amount of work you want to put into it. Careful planning and smart culture makes gardening tasks fun and not burdensome.