It is incredibly easy to let your garden become overgrown and out of shape, and before you know it, weeds grow, borders become messy, and your plants, shrubs, and flowers start to look past their best.
This is why it’s essential to think about and plan garden maintenance in advance. By considering seasonal requirements, scheduling regular cleanups, and keeping on top of things with the help of a professional landscaper, you can reduce your overall workload, and we’ve given you five simple tips below to help you do this in 2026.
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1. An Evenly Distributed Irrigation System
Poor garden irrigation leads to a range of problems. Areas can either become flooded, or experience drought depending on if they have too much or not enough water intake. You could invest in something simple like a smarter sprinkler system, or develop a more substantial and long-lasting plan with a garden landscaper involving underground pipes, drainage ditches, and the installation of drains.
2. Scheduled Garden Cleanups
While not necessarily advanced landscape maintenance tips, scheduling simple garden cleanups is often overlooked. Over time, your outdoor areas will accumulate debris, leaves, and twigs that can make your garden look messy.
Aim to schedule a garden cleanup session at least once per month; potentially more frequently during the autumn and winter when trees and bushes are shedding their leaves. This will help your lawn, borders, and other areas look spotless.
3. Weed Removal
Even if you have an outdoor area with gravel or concrete areas, weeds still find a way to come through. They are every gardener’s worst nightmare, but unfortunately, you have to account for them when considering your garden maintenance.
We find the best solution is a “little and often” approach. Instead of waiting for months, and having a marathon weed-pulling session, spend 30 minutes once per week or once per fortnight prowling your borders and flower beds, and pull up any rogue weeds that are starting to sprout. You can also consider using a hand trowel or fork to turn over your soil as this makes weed removal much easier and reduces the need to use potentially harmful weed killers.
4. Seasonal Cutbacks and Fertilization
While roof washing helps improve the look of your property, cutting back and fertilization at the right times will help improve the look of your garden. Most shrubs and trees you have in your garden will need cutting back at appropriate times, typically during the autumn when new buds are not blossoming. This will help them grow and flourish in the next year.
It’s also ideal to fertilize your soil and borders with compost or a bedding composite, and give your lawn some enrichment. By caring for your soil, you will help it retain its nutrients and minerals which are then given to the plants planted in it.
5. Seeking Help from Professionals
Sometimes, even with the best maintenance plan, you might simply not have the time to tend to your garden, or do everything you want, and this is where enlisting the help of a garden landscape professional could be a great idea.
Endnote
Your garden maintenance starts with assessing your irrigation system and making sure every part of your lawn, borders, and flower beds have access to an even distribution of water. After that, sit down and think about a plan going forward for the next year.