A garden that’s tranquil and functional is worth having. One that doesn’t demand a weekend of upkeep to stay that way is worth planning for properly. Here’s how to design an outdoor space that looks after itself.
Avoid deciduous plants and trees
Deciduous plants can be a beautiful centrepiece while they’re blooming, but they drop all their leaves in autumn, and that means a genuine clean-up job every year. If you don’t mind the maintenance, they’re worth it. If you do, it’s worth choosing something else.
Irrigation
A properly installed irrigation system turns watering into a set-and-forget task. Most modern systems can be programmed and controlled from your phone, which removes both the time and the mental load of remembering to do it.
Grass
Grass gives kids somewhere to play and can transform a plain yard, but it isn’t low maintenance. Expect mowing every 7 to 10 days through spring and summer. If that upkeep isn’t for you, artificial turf is as low maintenance as it gets, usable year-round regardless of weather, and cheaper over the long run despite a higher upfront cost.
Choose natives
Native plants are suited to the Australian climate by definition. They tolerate heat and drought and need very little ongoing care, which makes them the easiest starting point for a low-maintenance garden.
Hard surfaces
Paving, decking and stone paths create outdoor entertaining space without the ongoing upkeep that lawn or garden beds need. Soften the look with lush foliage and colourful plants in beds or pots where you want it.
Organic mulch
Mulch breaks down slowly, feeding your garden as it goes, reducing moisture loss and keeping weeds down. It’s a low-effort way to keep a garden healthier for longer.
Built-in furniture
Bench seating built into a courtyard, or a permanent table and seating around a fire pit, removes one more thing to store, move or maintain.
