6 Low-Maintenance Outdoor Features Every Beginner Homeowner Needs

Want a beautiful outdoor but worrying about the process and maintenance? It is easy to get overwhelmed by maintaining your outdoor plants. The Good news? You can have a beautiful outdoor space, and that too with low maintenance. 

With the right features and some effective choices in design, you can easily create a landscape that will look amazing without demanding too much of your time. 

Ready to build a low-maintenance outdoor landscape? Read this article to explore the 6 low-maintenance outdoor features and landscape elements that every beginner homeowner should know.  

Key Takeaways

• Mulch beds are best for suppressing the overgrowth of weeds and other unwanted plants. 
• Raised garden beds are very effective for people who experience back or knee pain while watering and planting. 
• Evergreen plants like boxwood and juniper can add colour and texture to your outdoor spaces. 
• Solar-powered stakes are a good alternative to lighting that consumes a lot of electricity. 

1. Mulch Beds That Do the Work for You

Mulch is a great option, and you only need a 2-3 inch layer to have many benefits. 

Here’s what mulch can do:

• Retains soil moisture, so you don’t have to do frequent watering.
• Suppresses weeds by blocking sunlight.
• Regulates soil temperature to protect roots.

If you want mulch that’s going to last longer, you should choose hardwood or cedar mulch. 

2. Gravel and Stone Pathways

Grass paths are beautiful, but when you need to do the mowing, watering, and trimming, that beauty can easily fade away. 

If you aren’t one of those people who say that mowing is their relaxation time, you should think about replacing grass pathways with gravel or decorative stone. They are more than easy to maintain, and they add structure.

Pro tip: If you add weed barrier fabric before placing gravel, it will prevent unwanted growth.

Interesting Fact 
Studies have shown that a well-designed, low-maintenance outdoor landscape can increase the value of your home up to 20% and can save many hours of maintenance.

3. Raised Garden Beds

If you don’t want back or knee pain from bending while planting, the best option for you is raised beds. They can be made from wood, stone, or composite materials.

Here are some of its benefits:

• Improve drainage
• You can control soil quality
• Easier planting and harvesting

4. Evergreens and Perennials

Seasonal plants give your outdoor space a vibrant look, but if you choose them, you are aware that you need to replant them. If that isn’t something you are excited about, you can choose hardy evergreens and perennials that return year after year. 

They add color and texture to your outdoor space, and they require minimal effort.

• Evergreens: boxwood, juniper, dwarf pine
• Perennials: hostas, daylilies, black-eyed Susans

When they are established, all you need to do is prune and feed them once in a while.

5. Decorative Rock Features 

Rock features can be used as borders, around trees, or as standalone accents. They add interest and last long, but you don’t have to do watering, trimming, or other boring tasks. 

There are many design ideas with decorative rock features, and you can be creative and make your own design. That is going to add personality and uniqueness to your outdoor space.

Common Outdoor Materials and Typical Costs

Material	Best Use	Estimated Price Range (in USD)	Maintenance Level
Hardwood mulch	Flower beds around shrubs	$40-$70 per cubic yard	Needs yearly top-up
Rubber mulch	Playgrounds, long-term beds	$90-$150 per cubic yard	Very low
Decorative gravel	Pathways, drainage, accents	$50-$180 per cubic yard	Very low
Landscape rock/boulders	Borders, focal points	$100-$300 per cubic yard	None

Prices are for material only, so if you want to have a total price, you need to add delivery and installation costs.

People who choose rock or gravel features have an easier time finding local suppliers by looking for the term ‘landscape supply near me’ online.. If you find materials locally, you’ll avoid the cost of transportation.

6. Outdoor Lighting

Homeowners usually look at lighting as a huge electric bill, but actually, you can have long-term savings on electricity if you choose solar-powered stakes and LED string lights. Also, if you don’t want to mess with maintenance, find weather-resistant lights, and they will last for many seasons.

Add some fixtures along a walkway or next to your seating area. That’s going to add a cozy atmosphere at night and more functionality.

Extra Tips to Keep Maintenance Minimal

Despite these features, there are certain habits that make it easy to keep your outdoor space in order:

• Group plants by water needs to avoid watering too much and working for nothing.
• Use weed barrier cloths beneath mulch and gravel to inhibit growing.
• Water on autopilot with timers, drip lines, or soaker hoses.
• Inspect seasonally, not weekly. Handle small problems before they become serious.

Conclusion

You should create an outdoor space that feels like a retreat, not a place where you always have some chores to do. That is why you should consider these options that give you the benefit of lower maintenance. 

You don’t have to implement them all; you can combine what you think is best for your yard and create your own piece of heaven without too much effort.

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