At Lake Effect Garden & Design, we believe that creating a beautiful, thriving garden doesn’t have to mean spending hours on upkeep. Our recent project in Douglass, Michigan, is a perfect example of how to design a stunning, low-maintenance landscape using native grasses.
In this blog, we’ll walk you through the process of transforming a challenging yard into a lush, easy-to-manage space. We’ll cover the benefits of using grass plugs, tips for working with clay soil, and how to ensure your garden thrives with minimal intervention.
Why Choose Grass Plugs?
When it comes to designing a garden that requires little maintenance, grass plugs are a game-changer. Unlike traditional flowers or turf, native grasses such as Little Bluestem, Prairie Dropseed, and Sideoats Grama are not only beautiful but also resilient. These grasses are particularly well-suited for gardens where the soil is less than ideal or where the client desires a natural, low-maintenance landscape.
Benefits of Grass Plugs:
Low Maintenance: Once established, native grasses require minimal watering, fertilizing, and weeding.
Cost-Effective: Grasses are typically less expensive than many flowering plants, making them a budget-friendly option.
Eco-Friendly: Native grasses support local ecosystems, providing habitat for pollinators and other wildlife.
How to Start a Low-Maintenance Garden
Starting a low-maintenance garden begins with choosing the right plants for your specific conditions. For this Douglass project, the client wasn’t frequently on-site, so we selected grasses that would thrive with minimal attention. Here's how we approached the project:
Site Preparation: We began by assessing the soil and environment. The area had clay soil, which can be challenging due to its tendency to retain moisture and compact easily. However, we turned this potential drawback into an advantage by selecting grasses that prefer drier conditions and are tolerant of compacted soil.
Plant Selection: We chose 4,000 grass plugs of Little Bluestem, Prairie Dropseed, and Sideoats Grama. These species are native to the region and well-suited for the local climate and soil. Their deep root systems help to stabilize the soil and reduce erosion, making them ideal for this landscape.
Planting Process: After carefully planning the layout, we began the planting process. Grass plugs are small, pre-grown plants that are easy to install and quickly establish themselves in the soil. We monitored soil moisture using a moisture meter to ensure the plants were getting just the right amount of water. This tool is invaluable in making sure new plantings get off to a strong start without overwatering, which can be a risk in clay soil.
Working with Clay Soil
Clay soil can be a gardener’s nemesis, but with the right approach, it can also be a rich, supportive medium for your plants. Here are some tips we used to manage clay soil in this project:
Choose the Right Plants: Plants that are adapted to clay soil, like the native grasses we used, will thrive where other plants might struggle.
Amend the Soil: While we didn’t need to amend the soil for this project due to our plant choices, adding organic matter such as compost can improve drainage and soil structure in areas where it’s needed.
Monitor Moisture Levels: Clay soil retains water, so it's crucial to monitor moisture levels to prevent overwatering. A moisture meter can help you keep the soil at optimal moisture levels.
What’s Next? Adding Deer-Resistant Flowers
With the grass plugs thriving, the next step in this landscape transformation will be adding pockets of deer-resistant flowers. These flowers will add color and variety to the garden without becoming a snack for local wildlife. Stay tuned for updates on this exciting phase of the project!
Do You Want a Low Maintenance Garden?
At Lake Effect Garden & Design, our goal is to create beautiful, sustainable landscapes that are easy to care for and enjoyable to experience. This Douglass project is a shining example of how thoughtful plant selection and smart landscaping techniques can transform even the most challenging spaces into lush, vibrant gardens.
Whether you’re dealing with clay soil, looking for low-maintenance plant options, or simply want to create a beautiful outdoor space, we’re here to help.
Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can bring your garden dreams to life.
For more information and to see more of our projects, visit our services page and gallery.
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