The benefits of a lock up and leave property are numerous and, for some homeowners, an essential part of any purchase. Being able to walk away from a property for an extended period of time without having to bear any concerns or pay extra maintenance costs is a huge appeal for many residents, allowing them the freedom to be flexible. One of the most difficult challenges people encounter when seeking or enjoying such a property is, however, the garden.
Exposed to the elements, the natural environment of our gardens are often the most pertinent factors that prevent extended leave from being taken from a home, at least without some sort of supervision. Grass and other plants overgrow, water can collect, outdoor furniture can be damaged, and wildlife can even begin to become problematic. This is why gardens demand regular attendance because, without it, a home’s quality deteriorates and significant costs can be incurred.
Gardens, however, are not mutually exclusive from lock up and leave properties. In fact, gardens can be designed in a way that they are low maintenance. To show you how, we’ve put together the most essential qualities that make a garden easy to maintain and even easier to leave.
Hardier Plants
While it is unlikely that many plants will overgrow during your trip away, the key concern is that they will not receive enough water. Even a brief dry period of weather can result in the loss of many stunning garden flora. There are, however, a number of plants that can survive even relatively harsh periods of drought, including certain shrubs, perennials and evergreen trees, that will continue to thrive. To find out the best options for your climate, speak to your local garden centre, or a reputable landscape designer, who will be able to recommend low maintenance plants for your outdoor design.
Replace Your Lawn
The foundations of a garden can be changed and lawn space is not entirely restricted to grass. In fact, many homeowners are choosing to incorporate new outbuildings into their gardens, swapping horizontal planes for a vertical wild. This means creating outbuildings, such as garden sheds and external studios within a garden and then flourishing them with natural growth, such as climbing plants, potted flowers, and floral arrangements. By doing so, a garden becomes much lower maintenance while simultaneously becoming even more vividly natural and aesthetically pleasing.
Natural Foundations
If, however, you are set on flower beds and grassy lawns, you can take measures to ensure that, even during your absence, they are able to flourish. This, for example, is why sprinkler systems have become so ubiquitous. Natural methods of maintenance include mulch and woodchippings that can be applied to a flowerbed for better moisture retention. And, for keeping on top of your grass length, there are now automatic mowers that, much like the now-familiar robotic vacuum cleaners, will maintain an area of your property, charge themselves, and ensure that your garden is kept clean and tidy even in your absence.
