We all love the look of a beautifully landscaped yard, but let’s be honest—not everyone wants to spend their entire weekend weeding, watering, and pruning. Between summer trips to the lake, youth sports, and enjoying the short-lived Wisconsin summer, your free time is valuable.
The good news? You don’t have to choose between a gorgeous yard and your weekend freedom. By making smart, intentional design choices, you can achieve a stunning property that practically takes care of itself.
Here are three high-impact, low-maintenance landscaping upgrades perfect for Eau Claire area homes.
1. Swap High-Maintenance Annuals for Native Wisconsin Perennials
Tired of replanting delicate flowers every spring? It’s frustrating when they droop the second a June heatwave hits. Instead, lean on native perennials.
Plants that are native to the Chippewa Valley are naturally adapted to our specific soil types and harsh weather cycles—from humid summer days to freezing winters. Once established, they require significantly less water and fertilizer than exotic plants.
- Great Local Options: Coneflowers , Black-Eyed Susans, Hostas and native ornamental grasses.
- The Low-Maintenance Perk: They return year after year, grow stronger over time, and look beautiful without demanding daily attention.
2. Upgrade to Wide, Deeply Edged Mulch or Rock Beds
One of the biggest time-sucks in yard maintenance is constantly battling weeds or trying to navigate a lawnmower around tight, awkward corners of grass.
Expanding your landscaping beds and defining them with clean, deep edges does two things: it slashes the amount of grass you actually have to mow, and it makes your property look instantly sharper.
- Rock vs. Mulch: If you want the ultimate “set it and forget it” option, decorative stones like river rock or trap rock won’t decompose and never need to be refreshed annually. If you prefer the vibrant look of mulch, a professional double-shredded hardwood mulch will stay put and suppress weeds for the season.
- The Low-Maintenance Perk: Less grass to trim, fewer weeds to pull, and crisp lines that give your home premium curb appeal.
3. Install Functional Hardscape Features
If you want a backyard space you can actually use without adding to your chores list, consider expanding your hardscaping. Replacing a patchy, hard-to-grow section of grass with a professionally installed paver patio or a designated fire pit area adds functional living space that requires almost zero upkeep.
Unlike wood decks that need to be power-washed and stained every couple of years, high-quality concrete pavers or stone features just need a quick sweep or rinse with the hose to look brand new.
- The Low-Maintenance Perk: Zero mowing, zero watering, and a permanent, beautiful space to entertain all summer long.
Ready to Take Back Your Weekends?
You don’t have to spend your summer hauling heavy bags of mulch or fighting with stubborn yard layouts. Whether you want to install clean rock beds, refresh your landscape design, or completely hand over your routine maintenance, Garbers & Sons is here to help.