Harnett County Center
THE SECRET TO AN ATTRACTIVE, LOW MAINTENANCE LANDSCAPE, 9/25/98
In spite of all the time-saving inventions we now have, such as computers, fax machines, and voice mail, we seem to have less and less free time. Juggling yard work with your job, volunteer work, family, church, and PTA can be a real challenge. Although patience is a key attribute of successful gardeners, there are some techniques that can save time and energy without sacrificing an attractive landscape.
WATER SMART
Boy, we've had a tough summer. The rain gauge at my office hasn't recorded any rain since September 8th. So have you been watering religously? Carting around hoses and sprinklers? Taking out a second mortgage to pay the water bill?
In spite of the dry conditions, I could count on one hand the number of times I've watered our Educational Turf Plots. And yes, they still look great. Watering less frequently encourages plants to develop a deeper root system. They learn to fend for themselves better.
Of course, there's a difference between infrequent watering and neglect (please don't look at my vegetable garden!). The key is to monitor the situation in your own yard. I've realized that I really need a rain gauge at my house. It's the only way to keep up with what has fallen on my patch of earth.
Another good monitoring tool is your index finger. Stick it an inch or two into the soil to see if there is any moisture. If so, hold off on the watering.
PLANT SELECTION
What characteristics define a "low maintenance plant"? First, look for plants that are relatively drought tolerant. Bermudagrass, for example, can tolerate dry conditions better than centipede.
I have a simple test that I perform on the plants in my yard. I don't water them much. The ones that survive stay.
Okay, so if you invest twenty or fifty dollars into a plant, this might not be a good option. The trick there is to do the research up front, and find out which ones do well with less water. I'll be happy to advise you on that topic.
Plants that have few pest problems are also desirable. Euonymous, for example, is highly susceptible to the powdery mildew fungus and scale insects. There are probably a dozen alternatives, however, that are equally attractive, but which are relatively resistant to pests.
Again, I have a simple test in my own yard. I don't treat for insects and diseases. Those that survive stay. (Okay, so I may have to make an exception for the azalea lace bug, but what landscape is complete without azaleas).
FLOWERING TREES AND SHRUBS
Another secret to the low maintenance landscape is to make use of flowering shrubs and trees. We all want color in the landscape. But planting annual flower beds each year is a lot of work. However, there are a great variety of flowering trees and shrubs which, planted once, will provide that splash of color year after year.
Select a few that flower early in the spring, some that bloom through the summer, and a few more that bloom in the fall. That way, you'll have season long color in the landscape.
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