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The Spirited Puddle Jumper
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The Spirited Puddle Jumper

Creative, practical and enjoyable everyday living for modern families.

How to Spend Less Time Gardening (And Not End Up With A Mess)

Posted on May 22, 2025 By Becky

The sun is out and the grass is growing, which is a good thing for those who love taking care of their garden. But what about those who hate it? Those who dread having to go out multiple times a week to make sure that their garden doesn’t look like an overgrown mess? The solution could be to work smarter, rather than harder. Here, we’ll look at what that might mean.

Add An Automated Sprinkler System

If you want to create a beautiful, relaxing garden, then supporting it with the hydration it needs is crucial. However, that doesn’t mean that you have to spend hours a week out there with a hose or a water can. Automated sprinkler systems can take care of it for you, watering your garden at optimal times, ensuring consistent hydration without manual effort. Smart systems can even adjust based on weather forecasts, so you’re not wasting water on rainy days. You can also make sure that you’re not using more water than you need to, as many often do when doing it by hand.

Natural Is Overrated

So long as you have a lawn, then you have to take the time to water it, mow it, and invest in the right care, such as raking away the moss every year if your ground is on the moist side. Or you can say goodbye to all of that work with an artificial grass installer. Modern artificial turf looks and feels remarkably realistic, and it drains well, so you won’t deal with puddles or mud. By installing artificial grass, you eliminate hours of lawn care each month and reduce water usage dramatically. The perfect thing for busy homeowners, as well as problematic soil, like areas prone to drought.

Go For Hardier Plants

It’s not just your lawn that needs attention, of course, but the plants that otherwise make up your garden. If you want a little variety but not the work that comes with it, hardy and drought-resistant plants like lavender, succulents, and ornamental grasses can help you cut down on watering and pruning. Native plants are particularly low-maintenance, as they’re already suited to your local climate. Complement your plant choices with a generous layer of mulch, which helps retain moisture, suppress weeds, and improve soil health.

Keep Your Garden Contained

Having your plants next to the lawn with little separation can lead to all sorts of problems with soil quality, weed growth, and drainage. You can cut down on these time-wasters by opting for raised beds and container gardens, as well. What’s more, taking care of container gardens can be a lot more ergonomic, as you can set them up at a height that makes them easier to water and weed. Containers also allow you to rearrange or swap out plants easily, making seasonal updates simple and fast.

If you have a garden, you have to take care of it. Simple as that. However, the tips above can at least make it a lot easier to take care of.

 

See more gardening posts here

Becky Freeman
Becky

Meet the award-nominated UK lifestyle blogger behind Spirited Puddle Jumper – a mum of three living in South East London! Becky shares the real ups and downs of family life, parenting tips, and lifestyle inspiration, proving that being a mum doesn’t mean you stop being fun or having other interests! Follow along for honest insights into UK family life and opinions on a whole range of topics, from travel and food, to beauty reviews, home and DIY, business and health and wellness.

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About

Hi, I’m Becky, a South-East London-based blogger, digital marketer, wife and mum of three. Here you’ll find creative, practical and enjoyable everyday living for modern UK families, including easy recipes, children’s crafts and activities, home inspiration, family life and adventures both in the UK and further afield. Come in and have a look around!

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