by
Dawn West, All About Lawns Columnist
Just because you want a great yard doesn't mean you want to spend all your time tending to it (or that you're willing to hire someone else to do it for you). If you want a yard that's easy to care for, but still lush and lovely, let these yard design tips show you how.
Easy Yard Design Tip #1--Don't Fight Nature
Save yourself hours of work and countless headaches by letting the natural conditions of your yard be your guide. If you have heavily shaded areas, don't try to
grow grass there. Plant a low maintenance, shade-loving groundcover instead. Groundcover is the best option for serious slopes as well (just imaging trying to mow that hill! Spare yourself!) If you've been fighting trouble spots like these, a new
landscaping plan that accommodates your odd spots instead of battling them is the easiest (and usually most successful) way out.
Easy Yard Design Tip #2--Soften Those Corners
Gradually rounding the corners of your lawn will shave hours from the time you spend mowing. Instead of lawn that stretches to every edge of your yard, try a landscaping plan that cuts down the sharp angles with easy-maintenance flowerbeds or an interestingly-textured but robust groundcover.
Easy Yard Design Tip #3--Go Smaller
A lovely yard doesn't have to have acres of green. A lower-maintenance landscaping plan cuts back on the areas of your yard that need weeding, mowing, and watering. This may be done by putting in a deck, patio, or even a sandy play area for your kids, and makes upkeep that much easier.
Don't be fooled into thinking that beautiful yards are all high maintenance. With the right landscaping plan, your easy yard can be absolutely gorgeous.
Dawn West B.A. holds a B.A. in English from Harvard University and teaches writing at Oregon State University.
