Tips for a low maintenance landscape
By By Gail Barton / horticulture columnist
May 1, 2004
If life were perfect, we would live in a Garden of Eden with no pests, no thorns and no weeds. However as a member of the human race, we must accept the fact that as soon as we enter the picture, things go awry.
It is our nature to demolish, disturb and destroy the natural world as we make our dwellings and forage for a living. In an effort to live in harmony with the earth, the best we can do is to strive toward a "Low Maintenance Landscape."
The following guidelines are important.
Research before you plant to ensure that plants are placed in the right place. Don't be embarrassed to change your mind. If a plant in your landscape has persistent pests, you have probably chosen the wrong plant or put it in the wrong place. It may be time to get out your shovel.
Consider the mature size, and site plants so they have plenty of room to grow. Look up before you plant to be sure you aren't planting a large tree under a power line. Don't put large shrubs under low windows. Place plants so they have the correct spacing from each other and out from the house.
Choose plants with few or no pests. Use pesticides only as a last
resort. Frequent use of pesticides often kills the pest's natural enemies.
Develop a palette of tough plants. Repeat them throughout the
landscape.
Use moderate rates of fertilizer. Heavy rates of high nitrogen chemical fertilizers make plants, especially lawns, more susceptible to disease. Make sure to use some organic fertilizers. These products improve your soil. Most good gardeners will tell you to feed your soil, not your plants. Organic fertilizers like cottonseed meal, manure and seaweed fertilizers do just that.
Don't fight the topography of your land. Avoid sodding steep banks or other areas that are difficult to mow. Select only drought-tolerant plants for slopes. Steep slopes rapidly shed water and only really tough plants can survive there.
Don't plant turfgrass in heavy shade. Every warm season grass that grows well in Meridian grows much better in sun. Trying to grow a healthy lawn in dense shade is difficult to impossible.
Learn to make proper pruning cuts. Many tree and shrub problems stem from improper pruning.
Select appropriately sized cultivars or varieties. If, for example, you want to plant a crape myrtle that will reach about 8 feet at maturity, select "hopi," "zuni" or "tonto." These mature at 5 feet to 10 feet. The variety "Natchez" is very popular in our area. It is a lovely variety that will reach 20 feet or more with age. If you insist on planting "Natchez," just think of how much pruning you'll have to do.
Install high maintenance color beds only in places where you need a focal point. Keep them close to main entrances or your favorite sitting spot so you can enjoy them daily and get the most from your time and money.
Water slowly and at low pressure. Soaker hoses are good options. Good soil preparation (with addition of lots of organic matter) can drastically reduce the need for irrigation.
Learn how to plant correctly. According to the Mississippi Nurseryman's Association, the No. 1 cause of plant death is improper planting. Never, never, never plant shrubs or trees any deeper than they were growing when purchased.
Unfortunately, there is no such thing as a "No Maintenance Landscape." Hopefully, these timely tips will help you to make choices that keep maintenance activities to a minimum.
