Two Low Maintenance Garden Ideas

Large lawns and elaborate flower beds look beautiful, but they can be difficult to maintain if you don’t have the time to spend on your garden. If you lead a busy lifestyle, rent out your property, or are physically unable to keep on top of tough gardening tasks, then it might be time to think about creating a low maintenance garden. Fortunately, simple can still mean stunning and there are plenty of design ideas for gardens that require minimal upkeep. Madingley Mulch, who supply bags of gravel, mulch, decorative stones and sand to customers in Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Suffolk, bring you two low maintenance garden ideas to help you create the perfect outdoor space in time for spring.

The Zen Garden

Zen Gardens have been popular in Japan for centuries and promote peace and tranquillity. They can incorporate gravel, rocks, pebbles, sculptures and/or water features to transform even the smallest of outdoor spaces into a place of beauty. Whether you live in the town or countryside, it will provide a relaxing retreat to unwind in after a busy day.

This type of garden benefits from being low cost, low maintenance and provides an outdoor space for meditation and quiet thought. Often found in Buddhist Monasteries, Zen gardens generally have a gravelled area that represents the ocean, which the monks will rake over and over again to relax their mind as they trace the patterns of the waves. If you are planning on having a gravelled area, it is advisable to take the lead from the monks and mark out the waves with a wooden rake; you won’t get the same effect with metal prongs. You will need to rake the gravel fairly frequently as it can get knocked out of shape on windy days or during heavy rainfall. Artfully placed stones, as in the picture above, will create a focal point.

For best results, map out your Zen garden first to help you decide what you want to include and where. Be as imaginative as you like with this space. Some gardeners like to incorporate a water feature, such as fountain or a long, rectangular pond containing Koi carp. For the more adventurous, a small, curved bridge running across the centre of the pond looks pretty and will provide a place of contemplation. Another option is to include an element of surprise, such as a seated area concealed beneath a wooden archway, or a shaped lawn with a Buddha in the centre. This is particularly effective in country properties that have more than one garden, or a garden that is separated into different sections or zones.

The Paved Garden

The origins of this style of garden goes back centuries when the space was used for outdoor cooking. In the Roman era, householders used to have courtyard gardens with either a fountain or a well in the centre to catch rainwater.  Fast forward to the 21^st century and the paved garden is a popular choice for those who don’t have time to mow the lawn or tend to the flower beds. It is also ideal for gardens with limited space.

If you are opting for a paved garden, the first step is to decide on what type of paving slabs to use. At Madingley Mulch we have a full range of paving slabs in all colours, to create the ideal courtyard style garden. These include Rutland Oakham for a rustic look, Indian Sandstone, Textured Paving or Premier Riven Slabs for a more contemporary appearance and old grey Courtyard Paving for a romantic, traditional look.

You’ll also need to work out what to include in your garden. You may want to go for a minimalist look, with a gravel or coloured stone border and a focal point, such as a water feature or sculpture, in the centre. Another option is to include a bench or picnic table and to have planters containing vibrant blooms to add colour. If you are planning on doing lots of outdoor entertaining in the warmer months, a brick-built barbecue or pizza oven, along with comfy cushioned seating, might be the best option for this space.

About Madingley Mulch

Madingley Mulch provide outdoor garden supplies including bags of gravel, paving slabs, sand, decorative stones, cobbles and chippings to customers within easy reach of our Cambridgeshire based shop. Click on the link above to buy.

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