Acreage blocks, rural properties, and large gardens can be the stuff of dreams. They offer incredible lifestyle potential. But they also come with a not-so-small catch: maintenance.
When the mowing, weeding, and watering feel endless, it’s easy for the dream to start feeling like a big chore. The good news? With the right planning and smart low maintenance landscaping, you can still create a beautiful, functional space—without spending every weekend on the tools.
Here’s how to make big properties more manageable on the Sunshine Coast. It all starts with smart low maintenance landscaping so that your big space can be beautiful AND manageable.
Minimise Lawn Areas for Low Maintenance Landscaping, Maximise Structure
Large areas of turf look great until it’s time to maintain it. On larger blocks, keeping big lawns neat and healthy means regular mowing, irrigation, and fertilising.
Instead, consider reducing lawn zones and replacing them with:
- Mulched garden beds
- Gravel or decomposed granite pathways
- Stone features or rock gardens
- Native plant zones with bark or pebbles
These structural elements create texture and visual interest while saving time (and water). Plus, they reduce the need for noisy, fuel-hungry ride-on mowers. Heck, even if you have electric mowers, it might be quiet, but it still takes time.
Pro tip: Swap large lawns for mulch zones, garden beds, gravel pathways, or feature stone. It saves mowing, watering, and stress.
Choose Low-Care, Climate-Suited Plants
When it comes to planting on acreage, the less you have to fuss over it, the better.
Opt for:
- Drought-tolerant natives
- Clumping grasses like lomandra and dianella
- Shrubs that thrive in poor soil
- Trees that require little shaping or water
Grouping plants with similar water and sun needs also helps you simplify irrigation and avoid over-caring for fussy species.
Native plants, in particular, are ideal for the Sunshine Coast. They’re built for our weather and soil, attract wildlife, and generally look after themselves.
A Word About Tree Choice
Pro tip: When choosing trees first consider how tall you want the fully grown tree to be.
That seems like a no-brainer tip. But, I am constantly surprised at the haphazard decisions people make when they buy trees. Especially those that go on the boundaries. If you want to shield a certain element in your view, then work out the height and buy an appropriate tree.
Too many people are out there unnecessarily lopping off huge amounts of growth annually. That doesn’t just cost you time, but lots of money. So, put the time in and thoughtfully choose the right trees, right from the beginning.
Hint: We can help you.
Use Hardscaping to Add Function and Reduce Work
Wide paths, retaining walls, and patios give definition and make maintenance easier.
So, on larger sites, structure is your friend. Elements like:
- Wide, stable paths
- Retaining walls to manage levels and erosion
- Paved seating areas or patios
- Defined garden edges
… make the space feel organised and easier to move through. But more importantly than that, they dramatically cut down on trimming, edging, and chasing weeds. For most garden lovers, that’s a no-brainer!
Hardscaping also improves access for vehicles and equipment, which matters when you’re hauling mulch, firewood, or supplies across a larger block.
Think Long-Term, Not Just Quick Fix
I always tell my customers that low-maintenance doesn’t mean no maintenance. But with good design, you can dramatically reduce the time and effort it takes to keep things under control.
Plan for these nice-to-have items and basics:
- Efficient irrigation (like drip systems or smart controllers)
- Ground covers that suppress weeds
- Zones that grow in and fill out over time
- Materials that weather well and don’t need repainting or constant upkeep
The initial setup might take some investment of time and money. However, in the long-term, you do end up with time and water savings. And that my gardening friend, makes the effort well worth it.
Want a Landscape that Works with You?
If your large block feels like it’s running you instead of the other way around, it might be time to rethink your outdoor layout.
Greener Landscaping creates low-maintenance landscaping solutions across the Sunshine Coast, especially for acreage and semi-rural properties. We’ll help you reduce upkeep and reclaim your weekends, so you don’t have to sacrifice style or function. All it takes is a phone call… on 07 4120 7807.
