10 Secrets to a Low-Maintenance Landscape Garden in Edmonton, Alberta
Low Maintenance
As a landscape business owner in Edmonton, this is my #1 request
If you're a homeowner in Edmonton, Alberta, looking to create a beautiful and low-maintenance garden, you've come to the right place. Landscape Specialists Ltd is a professional landscaping company providing top-quality garden design and installation services in Edmonton for over 15 years. Almost all my clients in my career have asked me to create a low-maintenance yard. This is why I decided to write an article to share my top 10 secrets to help you create a low-maintenance garden that will look great year-round.
1. Choose the Right Plants
Choosing the right plants is one of the most important secrets to a low-maintenance garden. In Edmonton, Alberta, it's essential to choose plants that are native to the area, and that can withstand the local climate. For example, plants like Karl Foerster, blue spruce, spirea, wild roses, coneflowers, and prairie crocuses are challenging and easy to care for, and they'll add color and interest to your garden.
2. Use Rock instead of Mulch
Most people want to go after mulch for their planting beds because it’s cheap. Little do they know you have to top it up every 2-3 years, plus it blows away and requires more maintenance cleaning up the beds. Mulch also attracts mice! All of this defeats the whole purpose of low maintenance, I believe. That is why we suggest our clients go for rock at Landscape Specialists. Rock is durable, aesthetically pleasing, has excellent drainage, and the best part is low-maintenance.
3. Design for Drainage by Professionals
Good drainage is essential for a low-maintenance garden in Edmonton, Alberta. By ensuring that your garden is designed for proper drainage, you can reduce the risk of water damage and soil erosion and keep your plants healthy and thriving. A lot of homeowners think that by having their final grade certification, they are safe with their landscaping. Depending on the landscape project, this may be untrue, unfortunately. If you start building patios, decks, garden beds, and planting beds, forget to consider drainage while constructing these landscape projects. It could all end up in a disaster, require more maintenance, and become costly.
4. Install an Irrigation System
A drip irrigation system is a great way to water your garden with minimal effort. By installing a drip irrigation system, you can water your plants directly at the root zone and conserve water by avoiding runoff and evaporation. Homeowners should be aware that much of their time will be spent watering their plants, which is not considered low maintenance. All of our systems installed by Landscape Specialists are controlled through a smartphone. The main control box is connected to your wireless internet provider, ensuring the system will shut off if there is a rainy forecast shortly.
5. Use Raised Beds
Raised beds are a great way to create a low-maintenance garden in Edmonton, Alberta. By using raised beds, you can control the soil quality and avoid soil compaction, which can be a problem in heavy clay soils. Also fun for the kids to learn about gardening and landscaping.
6. Choose Low-Maintenance Hardscaping Elements
Many individuals who come to me for garden design consultations envision entertaining guests or spending time with their family outside, either dining al fresco or gathering around a firepit for a delicious s'more. In such cases, it's crucial to incorporate low-maintenance hardscaping elements, such as pavers, gravel, and rocks, into your design. These materials require minimal upkeep and provide a lasting, textured aesthetic that will enhance the overall look of your garden.
7. Use Group Planting
By grouping plants, you can create a cohesive look in your garden and reduce the time you need to spend weeding and maintaining individual plants. Homeowners must know that the more plants they request, the more maintenance is required in the beginning stages of growth until roots are established.
8. Avoid Sod
Grass or sod are high-maintenance and require a lot of water, fertilizer, and mowing. By avoiding lawns, you can create a low-maintenance garden that's easy to care for and looks great year-round. For homeowners who desire a sod property but have an irrigation system, it's important to consider if the weekly tasks of mowing and trimming your yard are worth your time.
9. Hire a Professional Landscaping Company
Hiring a professional landscaping company like Landscape Specialists Ltd is a great way to ensure your garden is designed and installed correctly. You are hiring us for our experience and knowledge.
10. Maintenance and Upkeep
Finally, it's crucial to maintain and upkeep your garden regularly. I know this goes against the whole low maintenance, but there is no such thing as a 100% low-maintenance landscaped yard. Plants and sod are living organisms, so you must water, prune, fertilize, etc., to ensure your yard looks great year-round.
I hope these tips help you plan your landscaped yard in Edmonton, Alberta.
