Maintaining your lawn should be high on the list of every homeowner’s to-do list because a lawn is far easier to look after if it’s already in good condition. With lawn-care tips like regular mowing, efforts to keep weeds and other unwanted visitors out and fertilising when necessary, your lawn can be the canvas upon which many happy memories are made.
Your property inspiration
It’s easy to tell that the long strip of lawn in this Bonnie Doon garden is lovingly maintained. The focus of the garden is greenery, and the light green of the grass gently juxtaposes the darker shades of the trees and shrubs. It is immediately clear that this garden has been designed with space and serenity in mind. Maintaining the garden, and keeping the lawn neatly mown, are clearly high on the homeowner’s list of priorities.
Make taking care of your lawn a way of life
Keeping your lawn healthy and looking great is one important aspect of landscaping, but there are other factors that should be taken into consideration. Making your lawn environmentally friendly, ensuring that your garden is sustainable and knowing which plants are best for a sustainable garden are important aspects of taking care of your home’s outside space.
Making your lawn environmentally friendly
First things first: minimise the use of synthetic pesticides in your garden and opt for organic or natural alternatives that are safe for the environment. Choose native plants, including grasses, flowers and shrubs. Since local plants are adapted to your local climate, they will require less water, fertiliser and maintenance. Conserve water as much as possible by watering deeply but infrequently. This not only saves water but encourages deep root growth.
Ensure that your lawnmower is set to the correct cutting height. Taller grass shades the soil, reduces water evaporation and prevents weed growth. Another great tip for making your lawn sustainable is leaving grass clippings on the lawn to act as a natural fertiliser and improve the health of your soil.
What is a sustainable garden?
Having a sustainable garden means creating a diverse and balanced ecosystem by providing habitats and food sources for a variety of wildlife, including birds, insects and bees. This can be achieved by including a mix of flowering plants, trees, shrubs and grasses.
Which plants are best for a sustainable garden in South Africa?
The specific type of plants that you should plant in a sustainable garden will depend according to which corner of South Africa you call home. Due to different climate conditions, a sustainable garden in KwaZulu-Natal will, for example, look dramatically different to a sustainable garden in the Western Cape. However, some rules apply universally. Your sustainable garden should be home to some of South Africa’s gorgeous indigenous plant varieties. These will require less watering and general care.
If your environment is conducive to it, a great sustainable gardening practice to try is xeriscaping. These decorative displays are made up of cacti, rocks and succulents. If done right, it can look stunning - and it requires little more than full sunlight to thrive.
Your home should inspire you
Your home’s garden is a space where you can feel inspired and joyful. By establishing a garden according to Mother Nature’s best practices, you can live in a beautiful place and enjoy the knowledge that you are helping to sustain the local flora and fauna. If you need help finding the right garden (and the right home), get in touch with the team from Lew Geffen Sotheby’s International Realty today.
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