17+ Smart Landscaping Ideas for Minnesota Yards

Creating a beautiful outdoor space in Minnesota doesn’t have to be a full-time job. With the right strategies, you can enjoy a stunning landscape that practically takes care of itself.

1. Hardscaping Heroes

Hardscaping reduces maintenance and enhances your garden's aesthetic.
Hardscaping reduces maintenance and enhances your garden’s aesthetic.

Incorporate hardscaping elements like stone paths and patios to reduce grassy areas. These features add structure and style without the upkeep.

May just do the trick:

  • Stone Patio Pavers: Transform your yard with beautiful stone patio pavers that require minimal maintenance and enhance style.
  • Garden Pathway Lights: Illuminate your path with stylish garden pathway lights, adding warmth and safety to your landscape.
  • Landscape Edging Spikes: Define your space effortlessly with durable landscape edging spikes for a clean, professional finish.

2. Privacy and Shade with Trees

Trees offer natural privacy and energy-saving shade.
Trees offer natural privacy and energy-saving shade.

Use trees and shrubs to create privacy screens and offer shade, which can also help reduce cooling costs in the summer.

A few relevant products:

  • Evergreen Tree Seedlings: Plant evergreen tree seedlings to create year-round privacy and natural shade in your garden.
  • Fast Growing Shade Trees: Enhance privacy and reduce summer heat with fast growing shade trees for your landscape.
  • Shrub Privacy Screen Kit: Set up a natural privacy screen with an easy-to-plant shrub kit for added garden seclusion.

3. Shade Structures

Shade structures enhance comfort and garden enjoyment.
Shade structures enhance comfort and garden enjoyment.

Install shade structures like pergolas or gazebos to enjoy your garden even on sunny days. They provide comfort and reduce the need for watering by shading plants.

You might give these a try:

  • Wooden Pergola Kit: Enhance your garden space with a classic wooden pergola for added comfort and style.
  • Outdoor Gazebo Canopy: Set up a stylish outdoor gazebo canopy to enjoy delightful shade throughout sunny days.
  • Retractable Pergola Cover: Install a retractable pergola cover to easily manage sunlight exposure and enhance comfort.

4. Charming Water Features

A water feature can be a soothing addition to any landscape.
A water feature can be a soothing addition to any landscape.

Add a simple water feature like a small pond or fountain for a touch of tranquility. These features offer beauty without much upkeep, as I’ve seen in many of my projects.

Products that could assist:

  • Small Garden Pond Liner: Create a stunning pond with this durable liner, designed for easy installation and maintenance.
  • Outdoor Solar Water Fountain Pump: Enhance your pond with a solar fountain pump, adding elegance and a soothing soundscape.
  • Decorative Pond Rock Kit: Add natural charm with this set of decorative rocks, perfect for any pond or fountain.

5. Permeable Pavements

Permeable pavements help manage rainwater naturally.
Permeable pavements help manage rainwater naturally.

Use permeable paving for driveways and paths to reduce runoff and promote drainage. It’s an eco-friendly choice that’s easy on the eyes.

A few suggestions:

  • Permeable Paving Stones: Install eco-friendly paving stones to enhance drainage and aesthetics in your landscape design.
  • Gravel Stabilization Grids: Use gravel grids to maintain even surfaces and promote efficient water drainage.
  • Rubber Permeable Pavers: Elevate your driveway with durable, flexible rubber pavers that are kind to the environment.

6. Perennials with Perks

Perennials provide continuous blooms with little maintenance.
Perennials provide continuous blooms with little maintenance.

Plant perennials that return year after year, saving you the hassle of replanting. They offer long-lasting beauty with minimal effort.

A few things you might like:

  • Perennial Seed Packets: Cultivate a vibrant garden with perennial seeds that thrive annually with minimal upkeep.
  • Organic Plant Fertilizer: Enhance your perennials’ growth with nutrient-rich, organic fertilizer for robust and colorful blooms.
  • Drip Irrigation Kit for Gardens: Ensure hassle-free watering with an efficient drip irrigation system, perfect for perennial gardens.

7. Rock Gardens for Visual Interest

Rock gardens add texture and require little care.
Rock gardens add texture and require little care.

Design a rock garden with a mix of boulders and drought-tolerant plants. It’s a striking, low-maintenance feature that I love to recommend.

Some handy options:

  • Assorted Drought-Tolerant Plant Seeds: Transform your garden effortlessly with easy-to-grow drought-tolerant plant variety packs.
  • Decorative Landscaping Boulders: Add natural elegance with easy-to-place decorative boulders for your rock garden.
  • Landscape Ground Cover Fabric: Reduce weed growth and maintain soil moisture effortlessly with durable ground cover fabric.

8. Mulch Madness

Mulch is an essential tool for a low-maintenance landscape.
Mulch is an essential tool for a low-maintenance landscape.

Use a thick layer of organic mulch to keep weeds at bay and retain soil moisture. From my experience, mulch is a game-changer for low-effort gardening.

Consider these options:

  • Organic Garden Mulch: Enhance your garden’s health by using organic mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
  • Mulch Spreader: Effortlessly spread mulch with a high-quality spreader, making your garden work easier.
  • Garden Edging Border: Define your mulch areas and create tidy edges with durable garden edging.

9. Embrace Native Plants

Native plants add beauty and require minimal maintenance in Minnesota gardens.
Native plants add beauty and require minimal maintenance in Minnesota gardens.

Opt for native plants that naturally thrive in Minnesota’s climate. Not only do they require less water and care, but they also support local wildlife.

Give these a look:

  • Native Plant Seeds for Pollinator Gardens: Attract local wildlife with native plant seeds. Perfect addition for easy, vibrant Minnesota gardens.
  • Natural Organic Fertilizer: Enhance soil health without chemicals. Use organic fertilizers to support Minnesota-friendly plants effortlessly.
  • Wildflower Garden Starter Kit: Kickstart your native wildflower garden. Includes seeds and essentials for a flourishing Minnesota landscape.

10. Low-Maintenance Ground Covers

Ground covers offer a green carpet without the mowing.
Ground covers offer a green carpet without the mowing.

Replace traditional grass with low-maintenance ground covers like moss or creeping thyme. These alternatives are lush and need little care.

Some ideas to consider:

  • Creeping Thyme Seeds: Plant creeping thyme seeds to enjoy aromatic, lush ground cover with minimal effort.
  • Moss Ground Cover Kit: Transform your yard with a moss ground cover kit for a low-maintenance, verdant landscape.
  • Shade-Loving Ground Cover Mix: Grow an easy-care shade-loving ground cover mix for lush, shaded areas.

11. Pet-Friendly Spaces

Pet-friendly landscapes are both durable and inviting.
Pet-friendly landscapes are both durable and inviting.

Create pet-friendly areas with durable ground covers like clover or artificial turf. These options stand up to wear and tear while keeping your furry friends happy.

A few choices to try:

  • Durable Artificial Turf for Pets: Upgrade your backyard with pet-friendly artificial turf for easy maintenance and happy pets.
  • Clover Ground Cover Seeds: Create a lush, resilient space with clover seeds, perfect for pet play areas.
  • Pet-Safe Lawn Protector: Protect your lawn with pet-safe solutions that prevent stains and keep grass healthy.

12. Edible Landscaping

Edible plants offer beauty and bounty in your garden.
Edible plants offer beauty and bounty in your garden.

Try edible landscaping with plants like berry bushes or herbs. Not only do they look beautiful, but they also add a delicious touch to your garden.

Check these products out:

  • Berry Bush Seedlings: Plant versatile berry bushes and enjoy fresh, home-grown berries throughout summer and fall.
  • Herb Garden Starter Kit: Try a herb garden kit to add fresh, aromatic herbs to your culinary creations.
  • Raised Garden Bed Kit: Enhance your garden setup with a durable raised bed for easy and organized planting.

13. Raised Garden Beds

Raised beds are perfect for easy and efficient gardening.
Raised beds are perfect for easy and efficient gardening.

Consider raised beds for your gardening needs. They improve drainage and accessibility, making gardening a breeze.

You might like:

  • Wooden Raised Garden Bed Kit: Enhance your garden’s appeal with an easy-to-assemble wooden raised garden bed kit.
  • Garden Bed Liner Fabric: Protect your raised beds from weeds and pests using a durable garden bed liner fabric.
  • Garden Soil for Raised Beds: Improve plant growth with nutrient-rich garden soil designed for raised beds and planters.

14. Minimal Lawn Areas

Less lawn means less work and more free time.
Less lawn means less work and more free time.

Reduce grass lawns and replace them with ground covers or hardscaping. This change significantly cuts down on mowing and watering.

Might be a good match:

  • Drought-Tolerant Ground Cover Seeds: Plant drought-tolerant ground covers to reduce maintenance and enhance your yard’s aesthetics effectively.
  • Decorative Gravel and Pebbles: Incorporate decorative gravel for a stylish, low-maintenance landscape with reduced watering needs.
  • Landscape Fabric: Use landscape fabric to control weeds and maintain a clean, low-maintenance yard effortlessly.

15. Evergreen Allure

Evergreens keep your garden lush throughout the seasons.
Evergreens keep your garden lush throughout the seasons.

Incorporate evergreen shrubs to maintain greenery all year round. They’re perfect for Minnesota’s climate and need minimal pruning.

Useful items to consider:

  • Evergreen Shrub Fertilizer: Enhance your evergreens with this specialized fertilizer, ensuring lush growth throughout the year.
  • Pruning Shears for Shrubs: Keep your evergreens tidy with these easy-to-use, durable pruning shears for minimal maintenance.
  • Soaker Hose Irrigation Kit: Simplify watering with a soaker hose kit, ideal for maintaining healthy evergreen shrubs effortlessly.

16. Automated Irrigation

Automated systems ensure your garden gets the water it needs.
Automated systems ensure your garden gets the water it needs.

Set up an automated irrigation system to take the guesswork out of watering. Trust me, it’s a life-saver for keeping plants happy with minimal effort.

Maybe worth checking out:

  • Smart Irrigation Controller: Take control of your garden’s watering schedule with this intuitive smart irrigation controller.
  • Drip Irrigation Kit: Easily install this drip irrigation kit for efficient water distribution directly to your plants.
  • Soaker Hose: Ensure deep watering for your garden with this flexible and efficient soaker hose.

17. Natural Landscapes

Natural landscapes are eco-friendly and low-maintenance.
Natural landscapes are eco-friendly and low-maintenance.

Embrace natural landscapes with wildflower gardens. They require little water and attract pollinators, creating a vibrant ecosystem.

Explore these options:

  • Wildflower Seed Mix: Enhance your garden with a vibrant wildflower mix that attracts pollinators effortlessly.
  • Garden Pollinator Habitat Kit: Create a haven for pollinators with this essential habitat kit for your wildflower garden.
  • Eco-Friendly Mulch: Sustain your wildflower garden with eco-friendly mulch that conserves moisture and suppresses weeds.

Text: Sarah Anderson