If you want to keep your garden looking good (or even better, looking great) in all weathers and throughout the year, it might not initially seem possible. There’s so much to do and so many challenges to get past that trying to keep up with it all probably feels like a lot of hard work. 

That’s not actually the case, you’ll be glad to learn. In fact, with a few strategic plans, some dedication, and plenty of creativity, you can ensure your garden looks great and withstands anything the weather might throw at it (as far as possible, anyway). With that in mind, keep reading to see where you could start so you can keep your garden looking better for longer. 

Plan For Year-Round Appeal 

If you want your garden to stand a chance of looking good no matter what happens with the weather, the best place to start is at the beginning of your planning. A well-thought-out garden design is the true foundation for an attractive outdoor space that can stand up to the different weather conditions your area will have. That’s why it’s a good idea to opt for evergreen plants and perennials when you’re choosing what to have in your garden, as the space will look much better that way. 

Perennials are plants that come back every year, keeping your garden looking consistent and attractive. Evergreens are different – they keep their leaves throughout the whole year, so they’ll always be there to make your garden look good (and you won’t have leaves to rake up either). 

When you’re planting your chosen foliage, make sure you plant the ones that need similar water, light, soil, temperature, and so on close to one another, as they’ll be easier to take care of and you won’t run the risk of them dying off too soon due to inadequate care. Plus it will save you time when you’re maintaining your garden. 

Choose Weather Resistant Plants 

Choosing the right plants for your garden is a crucial factor if you want things to look good no matter what, including no matter what season it happens to be. It’s a good idea to opt for native plants that are adapted to the climate of wherever it is you live, as they’ll be more likely to grow and thrive in your soil, and they’ll be more likely to be able to cope with the weather conditions where you live. If nothing else, knowing they’ll need less maintenance than a non-native plant could be enough to persuade you. 

You can also look for plants that are specifically drought-tolerant if you have long, dry summers to contend with, as well as disease-resistant varieties to prevent your garden from getting infected with dangerous conditions during wet and human periods, which is often what happens, leaving your plants dead. 

Use Proper Watering Techniques 

You might not think there is a right or wrong way to water your garden, but there is, and getting it right can mean your garden looks good all year round, whereas getting it wrong can, of course, mean the opposite and give you a lot of problems to have to deal with, which it’s likely you’d rather avoid. 

When it’s hot, deep watering in the early morning or late afternoon will stop too much water loss (which happens because of evaporation). When it’s cooler, change your watering schedule and water less because otherwise, you might find you over-saturate the ground and that’s unhealthy for your plants; it could kill them or at least cause disease or rot. 

It can be a great idea to use soaker hoses or drip irrigation systems to prevent too much water wastage, which is something else you should always be aware of, especially if you’re looking at ways to save money or you want to be more eco-friendly. Something else that can help is to add a layer of mulch around your plants to help regulate soil temperature, retain moisture, and stop weeds from growing. 

Waterproof Your Deck 

It’s not just the green areas of your garden you’ll need to think about if you want to ensure it stays looking good in all weathers, and your deck could be an added element to look at because bad weather (or even good weather – too much sun can cause damage to the exterior too) can be a problem. 

One of the best things you can do to ensure your deck stays looking good at all times and can be used for eating, relaxing, playing, and so on, is to waterproof it. Deck waterproofing not only protects your desk from rain and snow, but it can also help to stop wood rot, which can cause a lot of structural damage. 

Although deck waterproofing is something you can do yourself, it’s often best to find experts to help you, as you’ll get the finish you want and you can be sure the waterproofing is done right. It would be a shame to DIY the job only to find you’ve missed large areas or not used the right materials and your deck isn’t as waterproof as you wanted. 

Keep Your Lawns Looking Good 

A lush, green lawn can often be a great centerpiece of a garden, but that means you’ll need to keep it looking good, and you’ll need to do it all year round. As with watering, there are different techniques depending on the time of year and the weather, so it’s worth knowing what’s what. 

During dry periods, raise your lawnmower’s blade to a higher setting so you don’t cut the lawn so low. This might seem like a strange idea, but the truth is that slightly longer grass keeps the soil shaded, which means less water evaporates, and the roots of your plants can grow longer. When it’s cooler, however, you can cut the grass lower, and you can also cut it less regularly, as it won’t grow so much. It’s wise to aerate your lawn every year too, as this will help it to absorb more water and nutrients.