Creating the perfect rental garden

Here are 5 thought about how to strike that perfect balance.

1. Ditch the traditional lawn

Why: Lawns look great when freshly mowed, but they’re high maintenance and can quickly become an eyesore if neglected.

Alternative Options:

• Artificial Grass: Modern artificial turf is realistic, durable, and needs no mowing or watering. It stands up to heavy use, making it ideal for families or student lets.
  Cost: Medium to High (depending on size and quality) 
• Gravel Gardens: Replace grass with gravel and plant low-maintenance shrubs or grasses. Gravel suppresses weeds and drains well.
  Cost: Low to Medium 
• Paved Patios: Stone, porcelain, or concrete slabs create a clean, usable space for outdoor dining and entertaining.
  Cost: Medium to High 

Tip: If you must keep some lawn, keep it small and rectangular for easy mowing.

2. Choose hardy, low-care plants

Why: Not all tenants are keen gardeners, and even those who are may not have the time or knowledge to care for fussy plants.

Best Choices:

• Hardy perennials: Lavender, sedum, and hebes thrive with minimal attention and provide year-round interest.
• Ornamental grasses: Festuca and similar varieties require little pruning or watering.

• Native plants: Plants adapted to the UK climate need less intervention and are more resilient. 
• Shrubs: Evergreen shrubs like ceanothus, buddleia, and camellia look good all year and need only annual pruning. 

Tip: Group plants with similar water needs together and avoid high-maintenance bedding plants or those prone to pests like hostas.

Cost: Low to Medium (especially if you buy smaller plants that will grow in over time)

• Synthetic mulch: Rubber mulch offers long-term coverage with no breakdown. 
• Weed membrane: Lay a permeable membrane under gravel or bark to further reduce weed growth. 

Tip: Apply mulch around beds, trees, and shrubs for a neat, cared-for look with minimal effort.

Cost: Low

4. Install raised beds or defined borders

Why: Raised beds make gardening easier for tenants and help keep planting areas tidy and contained.

How:

• Use railway sleepers or sturdy timber to create raised beds. 
• Fill with low-maintenance shrubs or perennials. 
• Cover the soil with mulch or gravel. 

Benefit: Clear boundaries make weeding easier and reduce the spread of invasive plants.

Cost: Medium

5. Go for Simple, Rugged Hard Landscaping

Why: The more hard surfaces, the less maintenance required.

Ideas:

• Decking: Provides usable space, though composite decking is lower maintenance than timber. 
• Patios: Paving stones or slabs are easy to sweep and power-wash. 
• Gravel paths: Cheap, easy to install, and permeable for drainage. 

Safety note: Ensure all surfaces are level and non-slip to reduce trip hazards.

Cost: Medium to High

Avoid high-maintenance pitfalls

What to Skip:

• Hanging baskets: Need constant watering and replanting 
• Bedding plants: Require regular replacement and care. 
• Climbers like Ivy: Can get out of control and damage structures.

Safety first

Why: A safe garden protects tenants and reduces liability for landlords.

Checklist:

• Remove or repair broken paving, loose steps, or unstable fencing. 
• Avoid toxic plants, especially if letting to families with children or pets. 
• Ensure ponds or water features are covered or fenced off, or avoid them altogether. 
• Keep pathways clear and well-lit. 

Cost: Variable, but most safety fixes are low to medium cost and well worth the investment.