{"id":1685,"date":"2022-08-20T15:39:04","date_gmt":"2022-08-20T20:39:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/counselorsroom.org\/LifeStyles\/?p=1605"},"modified":"2022-11-01T14:18:16","modified_gmt":"2022-11-01T19:18:16","slug":"lowmaintenancegardens","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/counselorsroom.org\/LifeStyles\/lowmaintenancegardens\/","title":{"rendered":"Design a Low Maintenance Gardens"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

PHOTO BY IAN KIRKLAND<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Design a Low Maintenance Garden<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Why are naturalistic-style gardens trending today among older adults?<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

By Catherine Gannon Taintor | Gardening<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

August 2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Naturalistic gardens are relaxing.<\/strong> Peaceful surroundings help us to relax, meditate, and be thankful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Naturalistic gardens are eco-friendly<\/strong>. A naturalistic garden minimizes the need for pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizer. Move over millennials: Seniors also know the importance of being environmentally conscious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Naturalistic gardens are low-maintenance gardens. As we age, we need to grow gardens that are physically easier to maintain. Less weeding, less hedge pruning, and <\/strong>less lawn edging mean less strain on aging bodies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

WHAT IS A NATURALISTIC STYLE GARDEN?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Naturalistic gardens are gardens that mimic nature. Greg Loades, author of the Modern Cottage Garden<\/a> explains it beautifully \u201cThe new perennial garden is naturalistic, meaning that it is supposed to look natural, as if the plants that are grown together are growing in the wild\u2026think of a garden that is largely made of flowering perennials, grasses, and sedges.\u201d Plant shapes and colors blend seamlessly with their surroundings. The part of the country you live in dictates what your garden will look like\u2014woodland, prairie, desert, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By their nature, natural gardens are informal. Loades writes: \u201cThe new perennial garden is one that flows, with no straight lines, instead sinuous paths of planting held together by pockets of colorful perennials.\u201d Boundaries and garden paths are curved. In contrast, formal gardens are planted in a symmetrical layout of pathways and garden beds. Informal gardens use baskets and pots made of natural materials. Formal gardens use geometric designs and topiaries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Informal doesn\u2019t mean ‘no design’. Garden design is just as important for informal gardens as it is for formal gardens, particularly in small spaces. Combine plants to co-mingle. And be sure vigorous plants don\u2019t overtake the space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

YOUR DESIGN NEEDS TO ANTICIPATE YOUR AGING<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Growing gardens that are low maintenance will mean less work for you as you age.<\/p>\n\n\n\n