Low-maintenance garden makeover with rai...

KTW

After years of traditional gardening (and even running my own florist shop and greenhouse!), I began finding the physical side of gardening harder to manage due to hip and autoimmune conditions. But I wasn’t ready to give up the joy of growing food and flowers,so I transformed my backyard into a beautiful, low-maintenance space that supports my wellbeing.

I replaced heavy digging and constant watering with wicking bucket systems on raised stands, no bending required! I redesigned the layout with clear paths, grouped plantings, and artificial turf for easy upkeep. Now, my backyard is filled with herbs, fruit trees, and homegrown veggies, all thriving with minimal effort, and it also helps my health.

This project inspired my book, showing others how to garden smarter, not harder. My garden now brings daily joy, fresh produce, and peace of mind, and it’s built to keep growing with me as I age.

Materials

🧰 Materials Used in My Backyard Makeover

🌱 Garden Beds & Wicking Systems

Timber for raised wicking bucket stand
5-gallon (20L) food-grade buckets (for wicking system)
60L tubs (wicking tubs for herbs & fruit trees)
Landscaping fabric (to line stands or base)
Shadecloth or mesh (for top of wicking buckets)
PVC pipe or irrigation fittings (for overflow and watering pipe)
Perlite, scoria or gravel (for base of wicking system)
Good-quality potting mix (organic where possible)

🌳 Plants & Garden Features

Assorted fruit trees in tubs (e.g. citrus, mulberry, blueberry)
Edible herbs (basil, mint, rosemary, dill)
Decorative feature pots (white ribbed + terracotta)
Bark mulch (for around pots or decorative areas)

🌿 Landscaping & Turf

Artificial turf (mid-range type for easy wheelchair/walker access)
Underlay and adhesive for turf installation
Treated timber edging or garden sleepers
Decorative screens or panels for feature wall backdrop and undercover area.
White paint for feature wall and brushes and trays

💡 Lighting & Décor

Solar or low-voltage garden lights
Outdoor lanterns or string lights
Wall-mounted lights

🪴 Other Useful Materials

Zip ties, screws, or brackets for securing buckets
Sealant or waterproof tape
Small pavers or stepping stones (for access paths)
Garden labels or tags (for plants and herbs)
Hooks or brackets (for hanging baskets or pots)

Tools

Some of the larger tools (such as those used for laying turf and installing edging) were handled by a landscaper. The rest of the project involved a range of everyday tools that I used throughout the garden makeover:

🛠️ Hand & Power Tools:

Cordless drill and screwdriver set
Handsaw (for timber cuts on wicking stand)
Jigsaw and circular saw
Hammer and mallet
Spirit level (for ensuring even stands and turf base)
Tape measure and pencil
Spade and shovel
Hand trowel and garden fork
Secateurs and garden snips
Wheelbarrow (moving soil and tubs)
Hose with spray nozzle
Paintbrush and roller
Safety gloves and eye protection

Steps

Step 1

Steps I Took to Complete My Backyard Makeover

Assessed the existing garden and planned a low-maintenance redesign with help of a landscaper.
I looked at what was no longer working physically (digging, bending, watering) and sketched out a plan that would be easier to maintain long-term.
Engaged a landscaper to install artificial turf and define layout
A professional landscaper helped with laying artificial turf and edging, creating a safe, easy-care surface with future accessibility in mind.
Built custom timber stands for raised wicking bucket systems
I measured, cut, and assembled timber stands to bring the wicking buckets up to waist height, removing the need to bend or kneel.
Installed 5-gallon wicking buckets and 60L self-watering tubs
Each container was layered with gravel, pipework, and quality potting mix to create self-watering systems for veggies, herbs, and fruit trees.
Painted the white feature wall and installed decorative panels
This created a visual focal point and brightened up the garden area, giving the space a modern, clean look.
Added fruit trees, herbs, and vegetables to wicking containers.
I planted easy-care edibles like citrus, mulberries, blueberries, rosemary, and basil into wicking tubs and buckets.
Placed new decorative pots in front of the feature wall
I chose ribbed white and terracotta pots to create contrast and visual interest, especially near the entertaining area.
Laid bark mulch and grouped plants for better access
Bark was added for tidiness and moisture retention, and plants were arranged by use and care level to simplify gardening routines.
Installed garden lighting for evening ambience
I added solar lights to pathways and garden beds to make the space enjoyable after dark, especially near the seating area.
Documented every step for my book
I tracked costs, steps, and results to help others create low-maintenance gardens,this project became the foundation of my book.

Step 2

Sat back, put my feet up, and now enjoy my garden every day
After all the planning, building, and planting, this garden has become my peaceful space, a place to relax, recharge, and feel proud of what I created. It’s my version of backyard bliss.

JacobZ

Hi @KTW,

What a wonderful example of adapting a passion to suit changing needs. You’ve shown that gardening doesn’t have to stop when physical challenges arise.

Your use of raised wicking systems, grouped plantings, and artificial turf has made your space both low-maintenance and accessible, allowing you to keep enjoying the process of growing herbs, fruit, and veggies without the strain of heavy work.

It’s also inspiring that this transformation has led to a book encouraging others to garden smarter, not harder.

Thank you for sharing.

Jacob

KTW

Thanks very much Jacob.

It sure has made my life a lot easier and more enjoyable.

Regards

Kay