January and February are my months to rest, relax, exercise, and dream (plan) for next year’s (2025) garden…maintaining your own lawn and garden can bring beauty to your outdoor area. But it can also be physically challenging. But, there are some ways to simplify and cut down the work involved. Some of these strategies are also easier on the environment. Here are some tips I have picked up along the way. 

1. Mow less. Taller grass is healthier, so cut your lawn no less than 3 or 4 inches. Instead of collecting clippings, use your mower’s mulching blade which puts the clippings back on your lawn as fertilizer. 
2. Check with the experts. Your local Cooperative Extension can help figure out whether there’s an issue with your grass. Consider growing native ground covers, like wild ginger, which will spread like grass but eliminate mowing.
3. Plant perennials. Instead of annual flowering plants, which you must replace every year, perennials reemerge each year. Better yet native perennials are suited to your specific climate, naturally resist local pests, and require less watering. You can get information about “natives” at your Extension office also.
4. Get wise about weeds. In your garden bed, keeping the soil covered with mulch can help cut down on weed growth. A thick layer of wood mulch works well—for extra protection, you can also place a layer of shredded newspaper under the wood mulch. On your lawn, consider leaving the weeds alone. It is one less chore and weeds can be good food for pollinators like bees and butterflies. 
5. Raise them. If getting down on the ground to care for your flowers and veggies is difficult, think about adding raised beds to your yard or using containers. That way you can work while sitting on a chair or stool. A cart that doubles as a seat could also be a good place to store tools you use often.
6. Look at your tools. Long-handled or telescoping tools reduce the need to bend over or reach. If your hands aren’t as strong as they once were, ratchet-type pruners require much less effort to operate. Have a wheel barrel, wagon, or hand cart on hand to carry planters or heavy bags of soil. 
7. Stretch and move often. Start each session with a few minutes of simple stretches. When you are working, take frequent breaks to move around and stretch. During the offseason, I sign up to take an exercise class to rebuild abused muscles.
8. Stay cool. When working outside on hot days, hydrate often. Sip water frequently. Wear a wide-brim hat and sunglasses, apply sunscreen regularly, and stay in the shade when you can. I have a habit of following the shade around my yard… 

Happy Dreaming and Planning…