For many people, the thought of spending time pottering about in their garden is one of the things they most look forward to in retirement. However, the reality can often be quite different as they find themselves far busier than they thought, or perhaps less physically able. Even the good old British weather can get in the way.

Don’t let the garden become a burden, especially if you’re at home with the constant reminder of what needs to be done. There are some easy ways to reduce the amount of back-breaking work involved, leaving you with more time to enjoy it:

• Install an automatic irrigation system. There are some inexpensive automatic watering systems on the market that allow you to keep multiple plants watered at the touch of a button. Most of them come with an automatic timer, which is particularly useful if you plan to take frequent holiday
• If you have a large, high-maintenance lawn, think about reducing its size and replacing some of it with paved or gravel areas. Alternatively you could replace the grass with artificial turf. Many of the products on the market are remarkably like the real thing.
• Lay a weed-suppressing membrane on your flower beds, and overlay it with bark or gravel. You will barely have to weed at all, and the ground will also require less watering. If this doesn’t appeal to you, then make sure you pull weeds often. Although this sounds like more work, it actually saves time in the long-run as you never let the weeds establish themselves.
• Replace high maintenance perennials with shrubs, conifers and grasses. They may take a little longer to establish themselves, but they will require much less pruning and staking in the long-run.
• Avoid lots of containers as they require regular attention.
• If you still want some high-maintenance plants or a vegetable/ fruit bed, create a small, easily accessible area in the garden where you can concentrate your efforts.
• Some plants can keep pests away, for example Marigolds keep away rabbits and deer, while garlic plants can deter many invasive insects. Sprinkling diatomaceous earth over the soil helps get rid of snails and slugs.
• Get your grandchildren involved! Create little areas for your grandchildren to plant their own seeds. They can also be a dab hand at watering the garden.