Growing your own food has many benefits-but gardening isn’t easy. You’ve got to get out there and dig up the dirt to plant seeds, and then you have to tend to your plants. But if you’re interested in growing your own food, you may be overwhelmed by the amount of work involved. Fortunately, there are a number of ways to save time, including automating your garden and using raised beds.

You’ve come to the right place if you’re looking for new ways to grow your garden and save time. Home gardeners have a range of tools and products they can use to keep their outdoor spaces in tip-top shape. Here are three time-saving tips that can benefit all gardeners.

Plant self-sowing annuals

Self-sown annuals are great for attracting wildlife to your landscape. By planting seeds from wildflowers you’ve observed in your area, the birds, butterflies, bees, and other critters are more likely to visit your garden, bringing nutrients to local ecosystems. You can plant these annuals anywhere on your property, but consider planting them in several different areas if you have a large area.

Mulch, then mulch some more

One of the challenges of landscaping can be that it needs upkeep throughout the year. The grass needs mowing, and the flowerbeds need weeding, and so on. Yet every year, landscaping needs maintenance, and this year is no different. If you have mulch beds throughout your property, you’re in luck. Mulching is a super-easy way to keep your beds looking great. Just spread mulch over your beds, and you’re set-it’s that simple.

Buy tried-and-true perennials

Perennials like peonies, dogwoods, and bearded irises add color and interest to any garden. These long-lived beauties require little upkeep and will thrive year after year. Perennials are an excellent choice for those new to gardening since they tend to withstand pests and diseases better than annuals. Although there are many perennials just waiting to be planted in your yard, you want to ensure that your plants will thrive in your area.

Plant winter-proof containers

Winter is coming, and with it comes cold and snow. It’s the perfect time to get your garden going again-but with winter comes cold, and with the cold comes frost. So, how do you make sure your plants survive? Make them winter-proof. Follow these five easy steps for planting winter-proof containers, and your garden will survive-and thrive-even when Old Man Winter comes.

Rethink your lawn

Whilst a lawn might take a lot of time to maintain, don’t be tempted by astroturf. Artificial grass is an environmental disaster, and actually takes more maintenance than you might think. Whilst you don’t need to mow astroturf, you do need to hoover and wash it to prevent leaf litter from building up and rotting into the plastic. If you don’t hoover and wash every week (all year), the rotten organic matter will make your artificial grass dangerously slippy, discoloured and foul-smelling.

That is why many opt for natural grass. You could look into different types of grass seeds online. You should consider the weather, budget, and the time you have to maintain your lawn. If you live in a tropical place, you could consider Bermuda Grass. They like the sun and can handle high temperatures. They grow quickly and tolerate drought. If there are many people in your house and you plan on using the lawn for different events, this can be a good fit as it can handle foot traffic very well. They grow back quickly and spread easily. You can find more lawn advice online and read more about it before you make a choice.

When you compare natural grass with artificial grass, you will see that artificial grass takes time to rectify damages. But if you need a lawn in no time then a better idea is to head to somewhere like Green Valley Turf Company for a low-maintenance sod, if you don’t have time to grow. There are dozens of different grass varieties, with some growing no taller than around 6″, reducing the need for mowing (which only needs doing in summer anyway).

Invest in bigger plants

When you buy trees and shrubs, you want them to be healthy, hearty, and disease-resistant. The right plant at the right price can make all the difference for homeowners. But when gardeners decide to start making big investments, many don’t realize that plants, like people, have specific genetic weaknesses or strengths. It’s important to do your homework before you buy. Once you have planted trees that will grow into tall ones, you may need to keep them healthy. In case you don’t have the time or the expertise to prune and remove the tree, you can hire a San Ramon tree service company or a similar firm based on your location.

Make your garden self-watering

A self-watering garden was once a rarity for which you had to fork over $75,000. Today, self-watering systems can be found for a fraction of the price. With a self-watering garden, you water only every few days, or not at all, depending on the type of system you choose. For instance, you can get a dripping system installed, connected to the water source in your garden. In case, you don’t have a designated water system in the garden area, you can consider getting a well or a pump installed, potentially from a reputed firm providing well pump installation in Duvall, WA (or wherever you reside, for that matter). With this, you don’t have to spend hours watering or worry about your plants dying.

Choose shrubs that don’t need pruning

Are shrubs a pain in the butt to care for? If you have the right shrub for the right place, then the answer is no. Some shrubs do need to be pruned, while others just need some TLC and a little grooming. Some shrubs prefer full sun, while others like a little shade, and some will need regular pruning depending on the species.

There’s nothing wrong with trying to grow your own produce or herbs at home, but growing a garden can eat up a lot of your time, and it might not lead you to the harvest you planned.