We designed and built the above garden ten years ago. Along with the client we have lovingly maintained this landscape for the last ten years. Like anything that is both curated and wonderful, having a garden will take maintenance. I know, what a scary word! Although it is additional work from what you thought your garden might be, it is extremely important to keep in mind that a garden is a space that is made up completely of living things, so the beauty and serenity of your garden will rely on the health of this little ecosystem that you have created. Here are 5 things to keep in mind when determining how much or how little maintenance your garden needs:
1. There is no such thing as “low maintenance”.
Imagine desiring to be a parent, then becoming parent to a child, and then deciding that you are actually not interested in the health and well being of the child because it just happens to be too much work. It takes too much time and money to take the child to the doctor or the dentist, to drop them off at school, or even to make sure they are fed daily. In most cases, these conditions are indicative of neglect. This remains the same for your plants. They need to be watered and checked on by yourself or a person of expertise. They need to be taken care of and monitored to make sure they are getting just enough, and not too much water and sunlight. Your plants need care because they are alive! You adopted them, so it is important to be a good plant parent.
2. Good design makes maintenance meaningful
There is a strong difference between upkeep out of frustration and intentional stewardship. Yes, a garden is outside, but you should consider the design of your garden with the same attention that you give to the design of your living room or kitchen. The value that you get from the ambiance and aesthetics of your garden are usually dependent on how well maintained the garden is. There is a reason why your local Botanical Garden is as beautiful as it is, and it has everything to do with design, maintenance, and strategic methods used to showcase and view plant material in the best way possible. It is also worth mentioning that thoughtful landscape design can reduce unnecessary work, and preserve opportunities for engagement with the Garden (i.e. spaces for entertaining, dining, and leisure).
3. Is it important for me not to see soil or mulch in my garden?
A garden is an ever-evolving thing, and although we would love for every plant to make a triumphant return after the change of seasons, sometimes you may experience plant loss. Plant replacements and or replantings should be part of annual maintenance to
your garden. Oftentimes, if a plant didn’t take in the environment that you provided for it, it most likely wasn't happy there, so it would be best not to replant the same thing. In other cases a plant could have thrived in the garden for three long years and then, suddenly, one harsh winter didn’t fare it well. If you are the type of person that loves to see an extremely lush, full, and bountiful garden, then you may want to consider higher maintenance strategies and a more intense maintenance schedule. And if you would rather have a simple DIY, “plant as you please”, garden, then that is okay too.
4. I want a lush garden but I'm concerned about costs.
A well maintained garden is going to cost you something. Whether it is time, money, or both. Again, keep in mind that a garden is not an object, it is an ecosystem. It might be worth while to shift your perspective on garden maintenance as a value investment rather than an expense. Either you are investing personal time in your garden by learning a little more Earth science, or you can invest in the time of an expert who has experience and/or degrees in the subject matter. In either case, there is a tradeoff; either time or money. If the garden is a space that you would like to provide beauty, relaxation, entertainment, and increased property value, then maintenance becomes a part of preserving those benefits. It serves no one to minimize garden upkeep as a burden to be minimized at all costs. And, let’s face it, if you pumped thousands of dollars into the initial work of reviving or redesigning a garden, why would you let your initial hard work spoil away from a lack of effort and care.
5. Think about effort and reward
Being in a well maintained garden is experiencing, in real time, the direct relationship between effort and reward. Even the most modest of maintenance schedules can lead to a healthier garden with happy plants, abundant blooms, and the most inviting outdoor space that you can call your own! A garden is one of the few spaces in your home that you can feel the space giving back to you in the same way that you gave to it. There is something about the satisfaction of smelling the roses and watching life in cycle; colors changing, leaves blowing, birds, squirrels, and insects in harmony. One might even argue that maintenance is the true joy of keeping a garden. It is what transforms the landscape from a static feature into something continually rewarding. Over the years, not only will you see life in cycle but you will have a richer and more beautiful garden with every passing season.
- Keren Dillard-Taylor
