Gardens can be a great place to relax, unwind and switch off from the outside world, especially when the weather is hot. There’s nothing quite like sitting back and supping a cold beverage in the sun in the comfort of your own home.
However, as the old sayings go, nothing in life is free and, sadly, the same goes for garden R&R. Grass needs cutting, hedges need trimming and plants need pruning – all of which takes time and effort.
If you want to enjoy your garden without residing in an overgrown jungle, you’re going to need to roll up your sleeves and get your hands dirty from time to time.
As a result, garden maintenance can be a seasonal slog that’s quite literally never-ending. After all, nothing worth having comes easy.
Or does it?
How to create a low-maintenance garden
When it comes to low-maintenance garden tips, there are a variety of ways to limit the amount of work done, from scalping your lawn to replacing time-consuming hedges with plants that require minimal upkeep.
However, if sheer self-sufficiency is the aim of your garden game, the number one option for anyone looking to halt the hassle is to simply lose the lawn.
If you don’t fancy keeping track of a trimming schedule and perpetually pruning plants is your idea horticultural hell, why not show your lawn two green fingers?
There’s no law that says you are shackled to garden grass if you have no desire for it. Remember, it’s your property – enjoy it how you like!
After all, that’s not to say you can’t weave natural features into your lawnless garden. Plants and flowers can still take pride of place in your outdoor space with strategic sites of soil, either as traditional borders or raised beds.
Meanwhile, decorative plant pots can be a great way to inject colour into your garden. What’s more, the mobile nature of these features also allows you the freedom to replace or re-arrange at will, should you feel the need to change things up.
Replacing a lawn
So, down to the nitty-gritty – how to replace a lawn.
If you’re thinking of replacing your lawn with something far less demanding, we recommend two routes to go down: porcelain patio paving or composite decking.
Both provide a beautiful base for your garden space with minimal upkeep required. Simply pay, lay and drift away in your own personal prune-free paradise.
The only problem associated with these options is knowing which one to choose. To help you out, here’s the lowdown on each.
Porcelain paving slabs are a fantastic way to instantly create a beautiful, classy garden environment that lasts. AlfrescoPlus has the widest selection of garden paving tiles in the UK, making us the premier choice for patio paving.
With a huge range of patterns and colours to suit the style, mood and ambience you want to create, your wish is our design. Simply choose the porcelain tile you want and we can make it so.
Patio paving tiles can instantly transform a garden space into the ultimate relaxation area from the moment they’re laid. Better still, the presentation-preserving power of porcelain ensures your patio paving stays shimmering brightly and sprightly year after year.
Meanwhile, if you own a small garden, strategically opting for light-coloured patio paving – such as limestone or sandstone – can be a great way to open up your outdoor space and make your garden seem bigger in process.
Composite decking from AlfrescoPlus comes in three primary forms:
Capped composite decking boards are the ultimate decking option for durability, low-maintenance and quality.
The cutting edge of decking technology capped composite decking boards are covered in a moisture-resistant polymer sheath that – although virtually invisible to the naked eye – provides enhanced protection against stains and spills.
While they are a little more expensive than their uncapped counterpart, they provide unparalleled quality and come with a colossal 25 to 30-year warranty for the ultimate peace of mind.
Scratch, stain and fade resistant, non-capped composite decking is the perfect alternative to traditional wood decking.
Rivalled only by the moisture resistant powers of its capped sibling, uncapped composite decking is both durable and decorative, providing a wood-look aesthetic with none of the upkeep of the real thing.
Hollow composite decking is a fantastic option for those looking to venture into the world of garden decking on a more modest budget. Hollow composite decking boards use less material while still providing a fantastic design that looks great and lasts.
As a result of its hollow properties, hollow composite decking is both more economical and more eco-friendly than its capped and uncapped competition, making them a fantastic option for the environmentally-conscious as well as the money-conscious.
Replacing a lawn
If you’re not quite ready to sever all ties with your lawn just yet, why not dip your toe in the water and implement a partial patio or half-deck garden?
Segmenting your garden into two zones can be a great way to get the best of both worlds, maintaining all the benefits of a patio or decking while still providing the natural allure of a lawn.
Best of all, this option also cuts down on your decking/paving expenses considerably, while still simultaneously slicing the lawn maintenance work in half.
If space allows, there’s even the possibility to integrate all three options by splitting your garden into three distinct sections. This method works particularly well when used in conjunction with a tiered/layer approach.
Separating these areas with steps creates an incremental effect of varying materials, providing a finished garden that’s both aesthetically pleasing and practically low-maintenance.
What are you waiting for? Create your own low-maintenance garden space with AlfrescoPlus and turn chores into cheers today! Click below for more information.
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