Enjoy Your Garden Without the Stress
Summer is one of my favorite seasons in the garden—everything is alive, buzzing, and bursting with color. But let’s be honest: summer is also busy. Between family road trips, BBQ weekends, and the endless parade of summer activities, there’s not always time to tend to a high-maintenance garden.
That’s why I’ve learned to embrace low-maintenance gardening. With a few smart strategies (and a little help from the right tools), you can have a thriving, beautiful garden that doesn’t demand your every free minute. Here’s how I keep things green and growing, even on the busiest summer schedule.
Why Low-Maintenance Gardening is Perfect for Summer
Gardening doesn’t have to be all-day weekend marathons or daily check-ins. In fact, many of the best gardens are the ones that run themselves with a little upfront planning and some clever systems in place.
Low-maintenance gardening is perfect for:
- Weekend gardeners who want to enjoy the outdoors without endless upkeep
- Busy parents juggling camp drop-offs and baseball games
- Travelers who need their garden to survive a week or two solo
It’s not about being lazy. It’s about gardening smarter so you can still soak in the joys of growing without the stress.
Choose the Right Plants for Easy Summer Care
If there’s one piece of advice I always give: start with the right plants. Choose varieties that thrive in your climate and won’t pout if you forget to water them for a day.
Some of my summer go-tos:
- Lavender – Drought-tolerant, fragrant, and pollinator-friendly
- Sedum (stonecrop) – Tough as nails and gorgeous in the heat
- Cherry tomatoes – Prolific, easy to care for, and perfect for snacking
- Thyme and rosemary – Hardy herbs that love dry conditions
Native plants are also fantastic. They’re already adapted to your local weather patterns and usually require less watering and pampering.
Smart Soil Prep and Mulching Tricks to Lock in Moisture
Great soil is like a savings account for your plants; it keeps them nourished and hydrated even when you’re not around to help.
Before planting, mix in compost to build up organic matter. This helps soil retain moisture and nutrients longer, reducing how often you need to water or fertilize.
Then… mulch like a pro. A thick layer of bark mulch, straw, or even shredded leaves helps:
- Keep the soil cool
- Lock in moisture
- Smother weeds
I mulch my entire garden beds every July. It’s one of the best time-saving investments you can make.
Set It and Forget It: Watering Solutions That Work
Watering is where a lot of time goes in summer unless you’ve got a good system. I swear by drip irrigation, soaker hoses, and tools that make watering less of a daily chore.
For larger areas, the Yard Butler Deluxe Metal Sprinkler Stand is a gem. It’s adjustable, stable, and easy to reposition. I hook mine up to a timer and let it do its thing while I sip my morning coffee.
Don’t forget about water storage and hose management, too. My Yard Butler Hose Reel Truck is an absolute workhorse. It keeps my hose neatly coiled and easy to move around the yard. No more tangled hoses or dragging heavy coils behind me like a stubborn snake!
And here’s a tip: water early in the morning. You’ll lose less to evaporation, and your plants will have time to soak it up before the heat hits.
Container Gardening for Control and Convenience
If your summer schedule is unpredictable, consider container gardening. Containers give you full control over your soil, water, and placement.
Some easy-care container favorites:
- Basil and mint (just keep mint in its own pot. It’s a spreader!)
- Petunias and marigolds
- Succulents and sedums
Go a step further and try self-watering containers, or add a layer of mulch to your pots to reduce moisture loss. And group your containers together. Plants like the company, and it makes watering faster!
Use Tools That Make Gardening Faster and Easier
When your time is limited, the right tool really can make all the difference.
My current go-to’s:
- Yard Butler Terra Weeder – Perfect for popping up weeds with one hand
- Garden Hand Tool Set – Lightweight, sturdy, and great for raised beds and pots
- Yard Butler Twist Tiller – A back-saver when aerating beds or mixing compost
I keep my tools in a garden caddy by the back door. That way, if I have 10 spare minutes before dinner, I can zip out, do a little deadheading or weeding, and feel accomplished without spending the whole evening out there.
Embrace the “Perfectly Imperfect” Garden
This might be the most important tip of all: let go of the pressure to have a perfect garden.
You’re not competing with magazine covers or Instagram influencers. You’re growing a space for you for peace, joy, and maybe a few tomatoes along the way.
It’s okay if:
- Your zinnias are a little floppy
- You missed a patch of crabgrass
- The marigolds decided to reseed wherever they pleased
Some of the most charming gardens I’ve seen are slightly wild, a little messy, and full of personality.
Create a Weekly 15-Minute Garden Routine
If you can carve out 15 minutes, you can keep your garden thriving.
Here’s a sample “low-maintenance gardener’s week”:
- Monday: Check containers for moisture and give a quick water if needed
- Wednesday: Pull a few weeds and deadhead spent blooms
- Saturday: Harvest herbs or veggies and do a quick walk-through
- Sunday: Rest, admire, or share the bounty with friends
Little bits of consistent attention keep the garden looking great—and leave room for those spontaneous summer adventures.
Call in Reinforcements: Kids, Friends, or Garden Gadgets
Gardening doesn’t have to be a solo activity.
Get the kids involved with watering or harvesting. My twins used to love picking cherry tomatoes and digging for carrots like treasure hunters.
Set timers on your sprinkler or enlist a neighbor to water while you’re away. Even a simple gadget like a hose-end timer can save hours over the course of the summer.
A Garden that Grows with You
A low-maintenance garden isn’t about doing less; it’s about doing what matters most. With the right plants, tools, and mindset, your garden can flourish right alongside your busy life.
And when you finally settle into that lawn chair at the end of a long day, cold drink in hand, and see those sunflowers swaying and tomatoes ripening trust me, it’ll all feel worth it.
Happy summer gardening, friends. Here’s to gardens that thrive and gardeners who get to relax.
