What’s worked for me is keeping things simple — fewer high-maintenance plants and more functional elements like gravel paths or raised garden beds. Drip irrigation also helps a ton because it waters plants directly without wasting water, and you don’t have to worry about it every day. It’s all about designing the yard around your lifestyle so it stays nice without turning into a full-time job.

I’ve been struggling to keep up with my yard here in Buellton, and it feels like every time I fix one thing, something else needs attention. Between the hot summers and limited time I have on weekends, I’d really like to find a way to make my landscape easier to maintain. Has anyone here come up with low-maintenance landscaping ideas that actually work in Buellton’s climate? I don’t need anything fancy, just something that looks nice without taking over my whole schedule.