Make Your Garden Light Work

Spend less time on maintenance and more time kicking back with these smart choices

- Lisa Fazzani

CREATE A LOW-FUSS GARDEN WITH EASY-CARE SURFACES

Limit the amount of upkeep your garden will need by cutting back on the grassy areas in favour of paving and planting solutions that need less maintenance than a lawn.

1 LET GO OF THE LAWN

The less grass you have to take care of, the lighter your workload will be. Break up large expanses of lawn by adding a sweep of paving slabs or decking planks running across the garden, introducing sections of slate or cobbles to break up lines and creating areas that don’t require a lot of looking after. Choose smooth stones for clean lines, or shingle and pebbles for a rustic look.

2 SHAPE PATHWAYS

Extend pathways to reduce the amount of lawn area, and add shingle or gravel so rainwater can drain away freely. Carve out areas alongside your pathways to create natural break-out places, where you can add planting features, seating or dining sets, or play areas. Keep the area of lawn you’re left with in a simple shape so it’ll be easier to mow.

3 BRING ON THE BEDS