1. Avoid tropical plants and other non-native plant species.
Plants that are not native to the area in which your rental or vacation property is located will require more water, more soil additives and more maintenance to keep them looking their best.
You can save water and lower your yard’s maintenance requirements by choosing native plant species that have adapted well to the local environment and seasonal changes.
Because they are adapted to that particular environment and are accustomed to the soil in that area, they will thrive with less water and less care than non-native plants.
To find native plants that are likely to thrive on your property, visit a local garden center or enlist the assistance of a local landscape designer.
2. Use ground covers that do not require water and will keep weeds down.
The more area you cover with gravel, mulch, bark or wood chips, the more money you can save on water and maintenance.
These low-maintenance ground covers simply require some occasional raking or adding new layers to keep them looking their best.
As an added benefit, ground covers help maintain soil moisture and reduce weed growth, while taking the place of other ground covers that require more care and water, such as natural grass or low-growing plants.
And they accomplish all of this while enhancing the overall look of your landscaping.
3. Create more patio space.
An outdoor living area is an excellent selling point when seeking potential renters, and allows your family members and friends to more fully enjoy their time away when staying at your vacation rental.
Covered patios are the perfect place for family barbecues or evening get-togethers.
Patio areas are also ideal for sunbathing or for storing equipment for water or mountain sports.
Pool decks, walkways and outdoor living spaces made with high-quality hardscape options, such as paving stones, are easy to maintain and are a great way to cover bare ground with a functional landscaping option that requires no water and very little upkeep.
If you have a rental property with multiple units, you are sure to need walkways that go from the parking area to each unit, the laundry room, the pool or other amenities.
Concrete walkways may be cheaper to install initially, but they tend to crack and require more maintenance over their lifetime than lower-maintenance options, like pavers.
Pavers also have a far more elegant look that will immediately give your rental property an aesthetic boost that is sure to appeal to potential renters.
4. Include storage for patio furniture cushions and textiles.
When planning your vacation home’s backyard oasis or your rental property’s pool area, be sure to include storage for furniture cushions and other textiles.
Fabric items that are left out in the sun, rain or snow will fade and wear out much quicker, which will lead to you having to replace them more often.
By including a free-standing or built-in storage compartment for cushions, you can help to ensure that your outdoor textiles will last longer and require fewer repairs.
5. Avoid or limit the use of water features in your landscape design.
Water features, such as fountains or waterfalls cascading over rocks, are a lovely addition to any landscape design; however, they generally require more maintenance than you will likely want to provide for a property that is not your primary residence.
First of all, a water feature that runs constantly can significantly increase your water bill, even if you choose an option that recycles the water.
While it is true that not all fountains are created equal and some are designed to be a greener, water-saving choice, things like evaporation still come into play.
You will also need to consider the cost of regular cleaning, as well as pump maintenance and repair.
Unless you have an on-site maintenance person who can provide regular maintenance for your water features while completing his or her other regular tasks, you might want to consider limiting the use of water features in your landscape design for your rentals or vacation properties.
6. Replace your natural grass lawn with lush, vibrant artificial turf.
Opting for synthetic grass over natural grass is one of the top money-saving choices you can make when designing your landscape.
This is because natural grass lawns are among the biggest residential water-wasters.
And while most of us think of water consumption when considering just how much natural lawn to install, it is important to also keep in mind the other maintenance costs that come with natural grass, such as regular mowing, weeding, edging, fertilizing and aerating.
If you own a vacation home that you visit infrequently, you will have to pay someone local to complete these tasks for you on a regular basis.
Or if you have a rental property with a natural grass lawn, you have three choices: You can waste your own time maintaining the yard, pay a gardening service to maintain the yard or trust that the renters will mow, weed, water and fertilize it to keep it green and healthy.
None of these are good options.
To avoid all of this, you can replace your natural grass lawn with beautiful synthetic grass that will always look lush and green, even during times of drought or when you have not been able to manage taking time off to visit your vacation home in months.
Fake grass requires minimal maintenance that can easily be accomplished on your own or that can be outsourced to a local landscaping company that specializes in caring for artificial turf.
With just a little cleaning and an occasional brushing, your synthetic grass lawn will always be ready for your family to enjoy as soon as you arrive at your vacation home.
Or, in the case of rental properties, it will ensure that your common areas or lawns always look healthy and inviting, and will never have those dead, brown spots that natural lawns get in the areas that pets frequent.
(Please check with your HOA or local municipality to make sure artificial turf is approved in your community.)
Final Thoughts
Owning rental properties or vacation homes does not have to be a headache. You can enjoy your investment properties more fully when you choose low-maintenance landscaping options that will help you save time and money each month.
The common areas or yards at your properties do not have to require high maintenance costs or become unkempt between visits, if you simply opt for landscaping design that will keep your properties looking pristine while helping you save money.
Artificial grass, pavers, native plants, and ground covers that require little maintenance and no water are some of your best bets for keeping costs low and your properties looking great.