How to Plan a Low-Maintenance Garden

We all love the beauty of a garden, but as we get older, the kneeling, weeding, and heavy lifting can become too much. You might be thinking about giving up your flower beds because they are just too much work.

Don't throw in the trowel yet. AI can act as a master gardener to help you redesign your yard for your current lifestyle. It can suggest plants that look beautiful but require very little water or pruning. It can even help you design raised beds so you never have to kneel in the dirt again.

For example, you can ask for a list of "perennials that bloom all summer but need no deadheading." Or you can ask for a layout for a "standing garden" full of herbs. Your digital friend uses data from thousands of gardening books to find the perfect match for your energy level and your local climate.

Try this Recipe: Here is how to plan a garden that is easy on your back.

Open your AI tool.

Tell it your location and goal. "I live in Ohio (Zone 6). I want a flower garden that is very low maintenance. I cannot do a lot of weeding or heavy watering. Please suggest 5 plants that are hardy, colorful, and easy to care for."

Ask for a layout. "Create a simple plan for a 4x8 foot raised bed using these plants. Put the tallest ones in the back."

Get care tips. "Make a simple calendar telling me when to plant each one."

Gardening should be a joy, not a chore. With a little planning help, you can keep your hands in the dirt without hurting your knees.

Next step: Go look at a spot in your yard you want to fix up. Ask ChatGPT for three "easy care" plant ideas for that spot.