| Mowing, pruning and weeding are regular chores | | | | beds, cut V-trenches between lawns and garden |
| for every landscape. If you're a gardener who | | | | areas. Finally think twice before clearing natural |
| doesn't like these chores, the simplest solution for | | | | areas. Add trees or shrubs instead of creating |
| you is to plant less lawn and fewer plants that | | | | large spaces you'll need to mow forever or |
| need pruning and use mulch to deter weeds. But | | | | incorporate more planting beds into the landscape |
| even if you enjoy the work, thoughtful design can | | | | instead of open grass. Keep pruning to a minimum |
| make it easier. Examine your plan. Consider the | | | | by putting the right plant in the right place. |
| following ways of reducing mowing chores. One of | | | | Although it's important to know how tall and how |
| the biggest favors you can do for yourself is to | | | | wide a plant will grow, it's equally important to |
| make sure lawn areas are relatively level and | | | | know what form it will assume. |
| wide enough to be mowed easily. Steep slopes | | | | Choose plants that meet your design intentions so |
| and narrow grass strips are a headache. Plant | | | | you won't have to prune all the time to keep |
| banks and hillsides with ground cover and shrubs , | | | | them in shape. Allowing a plant to grow in its |
| do the same in shady areas or where tree roots | | | | natural form significantly reduces your |
| make mowing difficult. Or create terraces with | | | | maintenance efforts. Other than occasionally |
| retaining walls make sure access from one to | | | | trimming stray branches, you won't have to |
| another is easy with a mower. If your bed lines | | | | prune. Plan ahead so the form and size of |
| make strips that are less than a mower width, | | | | naturally shaped plants will fit into your landscape. |
| widen the grassy areas. | | | | Space plants far enough from paved areas to |
| Grass that grows net to walls, fences and trees | | | | allow room for growth without crowding. Also |
| is difficult to mow. Strip at the foot of walls, | | | | keep your pruning on a schedule that conforms to |
| mulch the base of trees, and recess stepping | | | | the needs of the plant a little done at the right |
| stones. To make mowing easier net to planting | | | | time will save you a lot of effort later. |