1. MATERIALS: Using quality, low fuss materials to build your Eco-friendly landscape will no doubt save you a ton of time when it comes to maintenance. Composite decking, for example, is a durable, long lasting and attractive choice to use when building a deck that doesn’t require staining and won’t splinter or rot. Vinyl & metal fencing options are also becoming a popular choice here in Calgary, for their low to no maintenance requirements.
2. ARTIFICIAL TURF / HARDSCAPE: Replacing your lawn with artificial grass is an excellent way of minimizing your yard maintenance, with the added eco-friendly benefit of saving water. Another Zeroscape consideration is substituting areas with hardscape features such as a paving stone patio, rock retaining wall or bordered, low maintenance beds. Choosing a long lasting hardscape will provide you with an outdoor living space that you can spend more time enjoying without worrying about making time-consuming repairs.
3. MULCH / DECORATIVE ROCK: Adding mulch or decorative rock, like rundle rock, to your landscape design is an amazing low maintenance / Xeriscape option with a range of benefits. Both are super durable and can improve the look of any landscape. Using mulch / decorative rock in garden beds not only benefits plant growth by nourishing the soil below, but it also helps to discourage weeds from growing through. Another bonus is that it protects the soil below from drying out, cutting down on watering requirements.
4. LOW MAINTENANCE PLANTS: Choosing the right plants is a step that can make or break a low maintenance landscape. A popular Xeriscape option is ornamental grass. These grasses come in a bunch of different varieties with the most upkeep being a quick trim off the top just before growing season begins. Doesn’t get much easier than that!
5. FINISHING TOUCHES: Adding certain features to your low-maintenance / zeroscape yard can greatly enhance the look of your landscape while still keeping it easy to look after. With zero upkeep, placing an ornamental stone or accent boulder in a garden bed, for example, can add contrast & texture while creating a unique look that will last for years.
