How To Maintain A Large Garden

Having a large garden can feel like a dream come true, with endless space to grow plants and flowers, or enjoy the outdoors when the sun is out. 

But with all that room comes a challenge, how do you maintain such a vast space without becoming overwhelmed?

On average, UK gardeners dedicate just over 2 hours each week to garden care, totalling around 114 hours annually. When it comes to large gardens, that time commitment can easily increase, making it all the more important to have a solid plan in place. 

The good news is that a little upkeep and careful planning can keep your garden in top shape all year round, without taking up all of your time. 

If you’re wondering how to maintain a large garden, you’ll need to:

1. Organise your space

2. Add functional garden features

3. Choose lower-maintenance plants

4. Consider professional garden maintenance

5. Create a maintenance plan

Let’s dive in!

1. Organise Your Space

It can be harder to look after bigger lawns, especially during summer, when you need to mow and water the grass more to keep it in good shape. One way of getting around this is to separate your garden into distinct zones.

This allows you to use the space for multiple purposes, without everything feeling cluttered or overwhelming. Each zone can have its own feeling depending on what you want to do there, whether it’s a place to relax or entertain.

Good garden design starts by thinking about how you want to use the space. Do you want a spot for outdoor meals, a quiet corner to read, or a sunny area to grow veggies? 

Once you’ve figured out what’s most important to you, sketch out a rough plan of your space. This doesn’t need to be perfect, just a simple way to break up the garden into different sections.

You can use things like plants, hedges, or paths to create boundaries between each zone. Materials like decking, gravel, or cosy seating areas can help define each area.

Organising your garden this way will help create a space that’s easier to maintain, that also feels more tailored to your lifestyle. 

Separate garden zones let you use your space for multiple purposes, without everything feeling cluttered or overwhelming.

2. Add Functional Garden Features

Following on from the above, adding functional features can reduce the amount of time spent on garden maintenance. Once you’ve separated your garden into zones, you can look into garden items that have a practical and aesthetic purpose.

For example, if you’ve created an area for socialising, look for seating options, like lounge chairs and benches. Materials like wrought iron and teak are used for outdoor furniture, as they are weather resistant, so your seats stay functional all year round. 

Similarly, planting beds strategically can help define spaces, create privacy, and showcase beautiful foliage. Group plants with similar water and light needs together. This will simplify maintenance, so your plants thrive with minimal effort. 

Storage solutions are another necessity in large gardens. Garden sheds and storage cabinets will keep tools, furniture, cushions, and additional equipment safe from the elements, while also reducing clutter. 

Functional features can help turn your large space into a multipurpose retreat, where you can enjoy the outdoors with minimal upkeep. 

Adding functional features like storage solutions can reduce the amount of time spent on garden maintenance.

3. Consider Professional Garden Maintenance

If you’re finding it difficult to keep up with all the work a large garden requires, enlisting the help of a professional garden maintenance service can be a game-changer. 

Hiring a specialist means that you get expert help to keep everything in top shape, while you focus on the parts of your garden you enjoy the most. 

Professional gardeners can assist with tasks like hedge trimming, regular mowing, and seasonal plant care. This ensures that your garden remains healthy and tidy without you having to take on any heavy lifting. 

They can also offer valuable advice on plant care, soil health, and pest control which can improve the overall health and longevity of your plants. 

At The Garden Guys, we provide a personalised garden care service to ensure your large outdoor garden thrives year-round. 

Call us at +447578831404 to see how we can help you. 

4. Choose Lower Maintenance Plants

If you’re managing a larger garden, it’s important to choose plants that aren’t just beautiful, but easy to care for. Low-maintenance plants can save you time and effort, while still keeping your garden looking vibrant. 

Focus on species that thrive with minimal fuss, so you can enjoy the beauty of your garden without constantly tending to it. Examples include Hydrangeas, which bloom beautifully into the autumn with little attention, or Lavender, which thrives in well-drained soil and doesn’t require pruning.

In addition to choosing the right plants, simplifying your flower beds is another great way to reduce garden maintenance. Adding mulch to your beds helps prevent weeds and retains moisture, so you won’t have to water as often. 

If you want to cut down on the number of flower beds, consider planting hedges or shrubs. These require less maintenance overall and can create natural boundaries that, as above, break up your space. This can make your large garden feel more manageable, instead of overwhelming. 

Low-maintenance plants, like lavender or hydrangeas, can save you time and effort on gardening, while still keeping your space looking vibrant. 

5. Create A Maintenance Plan 

A solid maintenance plan is key to keeping your large garden healthy and thriving year-round.

Start by scheduling regular tasks like watering, mowing, and trimming to stay on top of upkeep. A consistent routine makes the work manageable and ensures your garden gets the care it needs, without tasks building up and feeling overwhelming. 

A good plan should be broken down by seasons, as each one requires different care. For example, spring is all about planting and fertilising, while summer calls for regular watering and pest control. 

Autumn is a great time for tidying up, planting bulbs, and preparing for the colder months, while winter allows for deep pruning and cleaning up fallen leaves to prevent diseases. 

A planting and harvesting calendar is also helpful if you grow your own produce, ensuring you know what to plant and when to expect a harvest. 

Sticking to a clear maintenance plan can help you manage the size of your garden with ease, so it remains healthy, vibrant, and healthy throughout every season. 

How We Can Help

We hope that our guide on how to maintain a large garden helps you make the most of your space. 

At The Garden Guys, we understand that looking after larger gardens can be a lot of work, which is why we offer expert garden care tailored to your specific needs. From pest control to mowing vast lawns, we take on the harder jobs so your garden thrives year-round. 

Get in touch with us today to find out more.