Low-Maintenance Landscaping Ideas for Busy Homeowners

You love a beautiful yard—but between work, family, and everything in between, you just don’t have the time for constant weeding, trimming, and upkeep. The good news? A thoughtfully designed landscape can look amazing without demanding your weekends.

At Gerhart’s Landscaping, we specialize in creating outdoor spaces that are both stunning and simple to maintain. Whether you’re starting from scratch or revamping your current yard, here are our top low-maintenance landscaping ideas for busy homeowners in the Lancaster area.

Choose Native & Hardy Plants

One of the best ways to cut down on yard work is to plant native or drought-resistant species. These plants are naturally adapted to Pennsylvania’s climate, meaning they:

• Require less watering and fertilizing

• Are more resistant to local pests and diseases

• Thrive with minimal intervention

Easy options to consider:

• Coneflowers (Echinacea)

• Black-eyed Susans

• Boxwood shrubs

• Pennsylvania sedge

• Ornamental grasses like switchgrass or blue fescue

Install Ground Cover Instead of Grass

Traditional grass lawns are beautiful—but they’re also high-maintenance. Constant mowing, watering, and fertilizing add up. A great alternative? Low-growing ground cover plants.

Try these options:

• Creeping thyme (fragrant, flowering)

• Pachysandra (excellent for shady areas)

• Clover or creeping Jenny (for sunny spots)

These plants stay low, spread easily, and require little to no mowing once established.

Use Mulch Strategically

Mulch is one of your best friends in a low-maintenance landscape. Not only does it suppress weeds and retain soil moisture, but it also gives beds a clean, polished look.

• Apply 2–3 inches of shredded hardwood mulch around trees, shrubs, and perennials.

• Replenish once or twice a year—much easier than regular weeding!

Incorporate Raised Beds or Defined Borders

Raised beds or well-edged garden beds help contain plant growth and reduce weed creep. They also make maintenance like pruning and mulching much easier.

• Use stone, timber, or metal edging for durability and clean lines

• Raised beds can be filled with nutrient-rich soil and require less bending over for weeding or planting

Add Smart Irrigation Systems

Instead of spending time hand-watering or dealing with over- or under-watering, install a drip irrigation or smart sprinkler system. These systems:

• Deliver water directly to the plant roots

• Reduce waste and runoff

• Can be set on a timer or controlled from your phone

Add Decorative Rock & Hardscaping

Want a beautiful yard with zero mowing and minimal maintenance? Hardscaping—like patios, gravel pathways, rock gardens, and retaining walls—adds structure and visual appeal without constant upkeep.

At Gerhart’s, we help homeowners design balanced landscapes with a mix of soft (plants) and hard (stone/pavers) elements to reduce maintenance and enhance usability.

Let Gerhart’s Create Your Easy-Care Outdoor Space

You don’t need to be a master gardener to enjoy a beautiful yard. Whether you want a full redesign or a few targeted upgrades, Gerhart’s Landscaping can create a landscape that’s built for beauty—and made for your lifestyle.

Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and discover how we can transform your yard into a low-maintenance haven.