With a hot summer fast on the horizon, Aussie homeowners are working to brighten up their backyards to make the most of that extra sunshine.
Whether it’s full-scale landscaping, a quick tidy, or adding new decor, the garden T-L-C will repay the extra love when summer starts.
Unfortunately, with great weather comes dreaded extra backyard maintenance, with the added work often making garden care feel like a never-ending job.
Build-it spoke to Queensland landscaper and gardening expert Zane Pearce, who revealed the top time-saving secrets he gives clients to help them get their gardens summer-ready.
Mow smarter, not harder
Mr Pearce says homeowners can make lawnmowing a thing of the past thanks to the latest innovative lawn trimming technology.
Robotic lawnmowers have grown in popularity over recent years with Bluetooth integration and WIFI connectivity, allowing Aussies to trim the grass with a hit of the button.
“Getting a robotic lawnmower may be a pricey investment, but it allows you to take back your weekends without neglecting your yard,” Mr Pearce told Build-it.
“It doesn’t matter if you’re home or in Honolulu. You can stay on top of the mowing without even being there.”
Top of the range smart mowers can set property owners back thousands of dollars but can include garden mapping and sensor technology to avoid collisions, prevent injury and ensure even the hardest to reach places are well maintained.
A pre-summer sheering
Another way homeowners can ensure they don’t spend the summer holding a pair of gardening sheers is to trim back the garden’s biggest bushes and trees in advance.
Usually, the winter and early spring are the best times to trim the foliage short to have them looking lush for the summer season.
Mr Pearce says a light cut can still save homeowners time by ensuring bushes don’t become overgrown by early next year.
“If you’ve neglected your bushes and trees all winter and they’re already looking a bit of a mess, it might be beneficial to take a bit off now to avoid having to do it when they’re overhanging around and getting all over the backyard,” he said.
Choose your plants wisely
Homeowners can also cut down the clock on garden maintenance by choosing new plants carefully.
If you’re planning on adding some fresh additions to your garden bed before summer, it’s essential to consider the required care of any new plants.
Mr Pearce says shrubs and succulents are the go to solution for Aussies seeking easy garden maintenance all year round.
Typically found in desert environments, succulents’ thick fleshy tissue allows them to adapt quickly to extreme heat conditions while preparing them for potential water shortages.
“Different plants require different levels of care and attention if you want to see them flourish,” Mr Pearce said.
“If you’re not a gardening guru and just looking to spruce up the place in time for summer, you can’t go wrong with simple succulents which require very little attention and won’t fall over and die if you forget to water them one afternoon.”
