If you want gorgeous flower beds all season long but don't want to do a ton of work, you're in luck. Technology, new products, and ingenuity have made it easier than ever before to create virtually maintenance-free flower beds. In fact, if you put in a little bit more work up front, you will be able to enjoy a perfectly landscaped lawn for seasons to come. Following are four tips for creating beautiful flower beds that require very little upkeep.

Weed Control

When it comes to maintaining flower beds, one of the biggest issues is weed control. Pulling weeds is not only a huge time suck, but it can also leave you with a sore back and aching muscles. Fortunately, you don't have to weed your flower beds each week. Simply lay down a weed barrier cloth before planting. When you're done planting, you should also lay down several layers of mulch. These barriers will prevent weeds and keep your plants from drying out.

Simple Irrigation System

There are dry spells almost every year, and they can wreak havoc on a flower bed. To get through dry spells, most people water their plants every other day or so. However, you don't have to. If you install a simple rain catcher and drip irrigation system in your flower beds, you won't have to water. You can also install sprinklers that are hooked up right to your home's water supply.

Blooms All Season

Planting new flowers takes a great deal of effort. If you plant only perennial plants, you won't have to plant anything at the beginning of the season unless you want to. When selecting plants, choose species that bloom at different times. Scatter plants throughout your flower beds that bloom in early spring, spring, summer, and fall. If you get the design right, you will have a maintenance-free flower bed that blooms all season long.

Low-Maintenance Plants

Some plants require more upkeep than others. Be sure to purchase low-maintenance plants that thrive in your area with very little help. Peonies and ribbon grass are great examples of low-maintenance, hardy plants.

If you do the right things when you're creating your flower beds, you won't have to do much work at all to keep them looking beautiful season after season. Remember to place something down for weed control, install an irrigation system, and select the right plants for the best results. You might also want to consider hiring a company like Southern Landscaping & Construction Inc to do the initial installation for you. It will save you a lot of work.