Creating a Low-Maintenance Backyard Oasis: Expert Tips and Tricks

Spending time in nature boosts your mood, but you don't have to hike in the woods or leave home to enjoy this experience. You can have an inviting, eco-friendly backyard oasis that requires minimal upkeep and looks stunning. Check out these expert tips and tricks to turn your backyard into a serene environment you'll never want to leave. 

Plant native vegetation

If you want a luscious backyard, plant trees and bushes. To keep your backyard oasis as low-maintenance as possible, choose native plants and trees. When you select the right vegetation for your climate, the plants and trees practically maintain themselves. You don't need to fertilize them or provide supplemental watering. You won't have to worry about pesticides either because native plants are naturally resistant and have already acclimated to your location.

Plant perennial flowers

Trees and bushes act as nature's privacy fence, but what backyard oasis is complete without splashes of color? Planting flowers attracts hummingbirds and butterflies, and there's no need to do it yearly. Planting native perennial flowers is a one-and-done solution. Choose native perennials that flower at different times, from spring to fall. You'll enjoy color for three seasons and won't have to go over and above to keep the plants looking their best. 

Plant ground cover instead of grass

If you don't want to spend your free time mowing the lawn, consider planting ground cover such as moss or clover. Moss thrives in shady areas, and clover works well in full sun, staying green without needing watering. Some benefits of ground cover include:

• No mowing

• No watering

• No need for pesticides or herbicides

• Drought resistance

Ground cover like clover also works well in flower beds. If you don't want to deal with weeding, plant some clover in the beds to smother any weeds that try to grow. 

Choose surfaces carefully

While a lush, green yard looks inviting, it requires upkeep, and if planting ground cover doesn't appeal to you, consider low-maintenance surfaces like concrete, gravel, or decking. You can mix and match the surfaces, too, creating backyard zones. 

For example, you could create a gravel surface and install a fire ring with Adirondack chairs around it. Another designated surface could have Astroturf to create a play space for the kids. Concrete surfaces work well for outdoor kitchens. When you mix and match non-grass surfaces, you create visual interest and greatly reduce outdoor maintenance tasks like mowing and weeding. 

Planning makes all the difference

If you want a low-maintenance backyard oasis, planning makes all the difference. When you work with a local landscaping company to find the perfect native plants and hire a hardscaping company to produce concrete surfaces, you can create a backyard you'll never want to leave. 

When you're ready to design your backyard oasis, go to The HomeMag's Facebook and Instagram pages for more inspiration. We can also help you find certified local professionals to help put your plans into motion.