A DOWNSIZER’S GUIDE TO ENERGY-EFFICIENT DESIGN
LAWNS
For those who want to keep a lawn – perhaps as somewhere for the dogs or the grandchildren to play – but can’t face the weekly trim or have little space to store a mower, hurrah for the invention of the robot mower. It will carry on quietly doing its thing when you are off on that monthlong cruise, so you don’t come back to a meadow.
POTS h
Confined to a terrace or patio? There is much you can grow in pots, including herbs and vegetables; the bigger the pots, the less bending down and watering you will have to do.
PERENNIALS
Grow bulbs such as daffodils that will come up every year, so have to be planted only once, says Jo Thompson. They are just as cheery as one-time-only tulips.
REST A WHILE
You can never have too much seating: raised beds and terrace walls can double up. Make sure there is somewhere in the shade as well as the sun.
MULTITASKERS
A table can double up as a worktop. Evergreens planted nearby, such as daphne or viburnum, will not only be lowmaintenance and provide year-round form, but pump out scent on a winter’s day.
RAISED BEDS
Raised beds add another dimension of interest to the planting and you can control the soil within to grow a different plant palette. Ms Thompson suggests using a no-dig approach (see charlesdowding.com) which involves less maintenance. Don’t make the beds too wide or they will be a strain to stretch across.
PATHS AND ACCESS h Even if you are still running in marathons, some of your friends might not be, so make sure paths have even, non-slip surfaces, such as close-butted paving (saves on weeding too). Also make them wide enough – at least 3ft – for someone with a stick, walking frame or in a wheelchair. There should also be enough room for the chair to turn.
Thompson. Make sure they are on both sides; not everyone is right-handed. A ramp down the middle or side of the steps will make it easier to negotiate a wheelbarrow or wheelchair.
BOUNDARIES
If there is a choice between a hedge and a wall or fence, take the last two, says Thompson. Then you don’t have to worry about cutting it back every year, or bringing in someone to do it. the same time as any new beds, will cut down on labour. Or else use tough plants that need little cosseting, and make sure there are plenty of water sources – butts and taps – within easy reach. Ms Thompson suggests strong growers that don’t need staking and self-clinging climbers, such as Hydrangea petiolaris, so you don’t have to deal with cutting them back every year.