If you love the look of a well-kept garden, but shudder at the thought of maintaining one, we’ve got good news: A thriving garden is possible for any gardener. And by following these garden tips for people who hate gardening, you will be well on your way to a swoon-worthy space.

Plan Your Space

Whether you’re working with an existing garden or starting from scratch, space planning is critical. If you want to scale back an existing garden, simply remove any plants or weeds and rake it out until it is level with your lawn, add some good quality grass seed, and in a matter of weeks you will have a manageable space.

If it is impractical to change the footprint of your garden, consider filling up space with large rocks or decorative boulders. They can add a dimension of texture to a colorful garden and will significantly reduce your planting footprint.

Know the Basics

When it comes to gardens, healthy plants need a little room to grow. Choked-out weeds will cause your garden to fail every time, so don’t plant too close together. Besides, unless you’re going for the “wild” look, it just looks better.

Frequently, the biggest reason for garden failure is over-watering. Over-watering causes plants to drown, as the roots rot beneath the soil. A quick way to test the soil is to grab a handful and squeeze. If you can form it into a loose ball, the soil is perfect. Any wetter and you’ll want to lay off for a day or so. In hot weather, avoid watering in the middle of the day to prevent the water droplets from searing the plants in the hot sunlight. Opt for early morning or evening instead.

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Get the Right Tools

If you don’t have an adjustable sprayer attachment for your hose, now’s the time to invest. They are an inexpensive addition to your gardening arsenal, and an adjustable spray can prevent over-watering and crushing of delicate plants under a heavy flow of water. A good quality garden spade, hoe, and snips will also make prepping and planting a breeze.

Up the Wow-Factor

One of the easiest changes you can make to your garden is to give it a clean edge. Whether you do this with flexible garden edging or create your own with a straight blade shovel or garden edger, a tidy perimeter gives an instant facelift to any space. For extra impact, carry the edging practice to any walkways or sidewalks on your property and you will instantly improve your curb appeal.

Crushed stone, river rock, and mulch are all fantastic ways to fill in the gaps between plants and keep unwanted weeds from getting out of control. In areas where termites are present, wood mulch is not recommended, but suitable rubber alternatives made from recycled tires can substitute.

Plant Smart

At the end of the day, the best thing you can do if you hate to garden is to plant hardy, low-maintenance varietals that won’t skimp on color or impact. Hosta Lilies, Verbena, Common Lilac, Hydrangea, and Geraniums are all great choices that don’t require a lot of maintenance. Check garden tags carefully at the store to ensure you are buying the right plant for the amount of sunlight your garden receives, and always plant according to directions.

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Gardening may be tough for some, but it doesn’t have to be intimidating. With the right garden tips, tools, a bit of prep work, and the right plants, you’ll be spending less time in the garden — and more time enjoying it.

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