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problems solved<br />
Plant evergreen trees<br />
Autumn leaf clearing can be<br />
a headache, so choose small<br />
evergreen trees such as<br />
Arbutus unedo (strawberry<br />
tree) to add height and<br />
interest instead.<br />
Make a service path<br />
The existing garden fence<br />
will need occasional<br />
maintenance (painting,<br />
repairs), which is made much<br />
easier by adding a hidden<br />
service path for easy access.<br />
Install lighting<br />
Install garden lighting that can<br />
be flicked on with a switch to<br />
save lighting outdoor torches<br />
or lanterns each time. If only<br />
summer lighting is required,<br />
try good quality solar lighting.<br />
Keep storage<br />
looking neat<br />
This storage bench<br />
in woodgrain-effect<br />
resin is easy to<br />
maintain, offers a<br />
handy place to store<br />
cushions and keep<br />
small garden tools<br />
in easy reach.<br />
Go for metal<br />
furniture<br />
Powder-coated metal<br />
furniture in an unfussy<br />
design is easy to maintain<br />
with a simple wipe down.<br />
It’s available in a wide<br />
range of colours.<br />
Plant easy pots<br />
Drought-resistant sedums<br />
and sempervivums can be<br />
planted in powder-coated<br />
resin pots to create<br />
low-maintenance<br />
containers that don’t<br />
need much watering.<br />
Lay artificial grass<br />
Choose a high-quality<br />
artificial turf that matches<br />
the real thing and you can<br />
say goodbye to your mower.<br />
It might just need a vacuum<br />
now and again to remove<br />
fallen leaves and debris!<br />
Choose shrubs<br />
Shrubs in general take far<br />
less work than other plants.<br />
Choose them carefully and<br />
they’ll create attractive<br />
colours and shapes within<br />
the borders. To help them<br />
grow well, enrich the<br />
planting hole with compost<br />
and ensure it’s deep enough.<br />
Mulch borders<br />
Drastically reduce the work<br />
of watering and weeding<br />
by adding a thick layer of<br />
homemade compost or<br />
well-rotted manure as a<br />
mulch on top of borders<br />
each year. Other options are<br />
bark, gravel or stones, laid<br />
on a geotextile membrane.<br />
Install automatic irrigation<br />
You can avoid dragging out the hose or lugging around<br />
watering cans if you invest in an irrigation system that<br />
can be pre-set to water borders and containers.<br />
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