Time-Smart Landscaping: 7 Low-Maintenance Ideas for Busy People

Relying on plants alone to bring greenery to your yard can be a struggle, especially if you're on the go a lot. To add a little something extra without the time and effort of deadheading flowers or pruning plants, consider enhancing your landscape with nonliving features or natural elements such as rock structures, statues, stone pathways, fountains and water features. Use patios or other concrete decking to create seating areas in your yard or elsewhere.​

Are you tired of mowing your lawn? If so, it's time to give artificial grass a try. It can be installed over concrete or many other surfaces with little preparation, and it looks like natural grass within days. Plus, the vibrant green appearance of synthetic turf provides a consistent look throughout the season without worrying about pesky weeds.

Frequent watering is necessary during hot, dry conditions, but you don't have to overdo it. All you need is mulch made from organic materials to keep your lawn healthy and looking its best all year round. The protective biodegradable layer of wood chips, straw or shredded leaves slows evaporation, allowing the soil to retain moisture while keeping weeds at bay and reducing water use.

Portable planters and containers offer endless opportunities to grow plants in and around your home. They're lightweight, easy to move and color-coordinated for all your decorating needs. The freedom to control soil quality and plant selection means you no longer have to settle for anything less than your ideal combination of easygoing plants and stress-free upkeep.

Adaptation to local climate, soil conditions and pest resistance makes native plants ideal for long-lasting landscapes. They demand far fewer resources and don't require an extensive maintenance schedule. So if your fertilizer is running low or your plant is collapsing from lack of water or bugs, come back to these resilient perennial natives and wildflowers or adopt xeriscaping with smaller, drought-tolerant succulents and cacti.

Revolutionize the way you water plants by installing an automatic watering system. Drip irrigation is especially beneficial in desert landscapes or locations with limited water pressure and unpredictable rainfall. They deliver controlled amounts of water to plants, helping to keep them alive without excessive runoff.

Lighting your yard at night automatically when you're not around is a smart approach to reduce energy use. Sensors built into landscape lighting systems detect when it gets dark outside and switch on the lights. By eliminating the need to flip switches manually, you can live your life and return to a fully-lit yard.