JDW Quality Landscape & Design, LLC
A Modern Company with Time Tested Solutions
Long Term Low Maintenance Solutions
Located in Glen Burnie and proudly serving: Annapolis, Catonsville, Columbia, Elkridge, Hanover, Linthicum, Linthicum Heights, Pasadena, Severn, Severna Park and the entire Baltimore Metropolitan area.
Save time and money with these ideas
Table of Contents
Published: 12/5/2020
There’s nothing quite like a calm, quiet afternoon relaxing in your yard or garden. Sure, it’s pretty cold out there right now, and you’re more likely to be sitting inside all bundled up. But, as it does every year, spring will inevitably return, and we’ll be right back to grillin’ and chillin’ outdoors.
If you’ve had any sort of landscaping done – from the simplest DIY project to the most complex landscape installation – then you know just how much work goes in to keeping everything alive and thriving.
One of our core philosophies here at JDW Quality Landscape & Design is to always implement low-maintenance solutions that save our clients time and money. We also believe in thinking of the long-term growth of any installation and how maintenance needs will change over time.
So, whether you’re looking to hire a commercial landscaper in Glen Burnie, MD or you’re a DIY warrior looking for some tips, we put together this list of low-maintenance ideas together just for you!
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Consider Local Hardiness zones
The United States Department of Agriculture’s Hardiness Zones map is very useful no matter what type of outdoor planting you’re doing. Here in the Baltimore Metro region, it ranges from 5b (on the western part of the state) to 7b (closer to the shore). Baltimore city is in zone 7b.
There are plenty of websites, books, and guides to help you choose the plants that are right for your particular hardiness zone. We really like the way a lot of Fir species integrate into the landscaping, and they do very well during colder seasons.
For our fellow Baltimore-area residents, check out this article on The Baltimore Sun for a few spring ideas!
The consequences of ignoring this advice all stem from trying to keep a plant alive that just can’t tolerate the temperature variations in your backyard. Some people may actually enjoy putting plastic bags over their plants and heating them up when it gets too cold. The bottom line? Stick with plants from your hardiness zone to reduce complex maintenance costs and routines.
Ground Cover Alternatives
It’s true – a beautiful lawn is a marvelous thing to look at (especially when you’re a landscaper)… but they take a lot of resources to maintain. If you want to cut back on the time and money spent mowing, watering, and fertilizing your lawn, consider alternatives.
Another area of frustration for many homeowner’s is the never-ending process of replacing mulch. Whether you hire someone to do it or handle it on your own, there’s just not a whole lot about it that’s fun. Ground covers can also replace mulch, as they’re great at preventing weeds and feeding your soil when chosen properly.
We offer tree care in Severna Park, MD.
Ground covers of all types grow in our hardiness zone. Some grow very fast, and others very slow, and they can be used in a variety of stylistic applications. Evergreen’s are a popular favorite here at JDW Quality, but there are plenty of other types, too. Some flower and fruit, some stay short and others grow very tall. There are even perennial ground covers, which we’d highly recommend if you’re looking to reduce your maintenance efforts.
Speaking of perennials…
Stick with Perennials
Have trouble remember the difference between perennials and annuals? One of the guy’s at the shop always did. He always thinks, “If it’s annual, that’s because it most grow annually.” He came up with a trick to remember though: “Perennials are parents, and annuals aren’t.” Maybe that will help you if you have trouble remembering the difference.
Obviously, perennials are the lower-maintenance choice. Perennials aren’t just limited to flowers, either. Some of the most popular shrubs, including hydrangeas and rhododendrons, are considered perennials.
Think about the drought
We haven’t had a major drought in this area since the early 2000’s. 2002 was a particularly bad year for anyone with a landscape installation that didn’t take potential droughts into consideration.
Buddleais (butterfly bush), Yarrow, Wormwoods, Purple Coneflower, Russian Sage, and many varieties of ornamental grasses fit the bill. You’ll not only have a landscape that stays healthy if mother nature decides it’s time to dry up… but you’ll also conserve lots of water, as none of these plants are ever too thirsty. It’s good for your wallet, and the environment… nice!
Call us if you’re searching for “mulching contractors near me.”
Stone instead of Mulch
One of our favorite looks is stone. We love it for replicating that mountain-forest setting. You can replicate some of that feel by simply using strategically placed and chosen gravel.
Mulching is a chore, for sure. We know many people don’t like dealing with it, because they hire us to do it for them. We’ve helped some of our clients transition to using stone alternatives, instead.
It’s not just as simple as swapping your mulch for stone, though, as there are pros and cons to each. Mulch can provide nutrients to your plants that stone just can’t, so you may inadvertantly increase your costs if you swap in the wrong spots.
Evergreen, never blue
We just mentioned how much we love evergreens, but they have to be one of the best low-maintenance landscaping hacks we know of. They not only require very little maintenance, but they can also help to nourish your soil in ways other tree’s can’t.
They look great all year round, but… you already know that. But they fall very neatly into all of the other categories we’ve discussed so far. They require little water and are rather drought-tolerant. They’re native to our hardiness zone. Some species make a great ground cover. You get the idea.
Like most things in life, though, there’s more to this than meets the eye. Some evergreens grow quickly and will require regular pruning. If you’re not careful with where they’re planted, they can leave other plants in the shade.
Call us if you are searching for “leaf removal near me.”
Conclusion and Free Guide
These are just a few tips and ideas. Obviously, planning a low-maintenance, long-term landscaping solution is complicated and requires consideration from multiple angles. We wrote this guide with the intention of getting you thinking in the right direction. It would be nearly impossible for us to cover a topic like this thoroughly in a single blog post.
We’ll definitely revisit this topic again in the future, if you are the DIY type. If you’ve decided to go with a landscaping company to help, then use the form below and we’ll personally text you a 12 page PDF guide to help you evaluate the landscaper’s in your area.
GET YOUR Free 12 PAGE GUIDe TO CHOOSING A LANDSCAPER
It can be difficult choosing the right landscaper for your commercial or residential project. We’ve put together a 12 page guide and checklist to make it easier. We’ll text you the PDF for free!
SERVICE AREA
We service the entire Baltimore Metropolitan area, including:
- Annapolis, MD
- Catonsville, MD
- Columbia, MD
- Elkridge, MD
- Glen Burnie, MD
- Hanover, MD
- Linthicum, MD
- Linthicum Heights, MD
- Pasadena, MD
- Severn, MD
- Severna Park, MD
JDW QUALITY LANDSCAPE & DESIGN, LLC
Call today to experience the JDW Quality and Design difference! We believe in delivering friendly service with a smile. Find out why “Quality” is our middle name!
Contact Info
Glen Burnie, MD 21061