Plan 'staycation' with carefree plants and timesavers

There's a new term I saw a lot this summer: "staycation."

The concept involves staying home in an environment that is so pleasant, you feel like you're on vacation. In theory, I love the idea. But in reality, it's another story. Everywhere I look, I see unfinished work and projects yet to be started. Fortunately, for the lawn and garden, some undemanding plants and helpful ideas can get us a few steps closer to a truly relaxing staycation in our own little corner of the world.

Knockout Roses: This is the unfussy rose. If you've been intimidated by growing roses or are tired of the work necessary to keep them disease- and pest-free, this is the rose for you. Knockout roses are prolific bloomers and are very resistant to the black spot and mildew problems typical of so many other roses. Provide full sun and well-drained soil, and this rose will reward you with months of carefree beauty.

Daylilies: They're so easy, you can practically lay daylilies on the ground and watch them grow. Daylilies are deer resistant and beautiful, with thousands of varieties in a rainbow of colors. They bloom all summer and return the next year thicker and fuller than before. The only work you'll have to do is to divide them every three to five years.

Hostas: If you're looking for showstoppers for the shade garden, try hostas! From miniature to massive, these plants known for their bold foliage are available in thousands of varieties. Hosta colors range from lemon-lime to blue-green and every shade in between. All these easy-care plants do well in containers, and some are highly fragrant. Unfortunately, deer resistance is not their strength.

Even the least demanding plants deserve our attention now and then. For the gardener on the go, consider these time-saving tips:

A garden mailbox: Even the most organized gardeners find themselves running back to the shed or garage for that must-have tool. Placing a mailbox or similar storage box in the garden can eliminate trips back to the tool shed. Fill the mailbox with your most important small tools, and you'll always have them close at hand. Consider adding a trowel, plant labels, waterproof pen, twine, scissors, pruners, insect spray and bottled water. Sometimes, it's the little things that make a big difference.

Soaker hoses: Keeping up with watering can rob you of precious free time. An easy way to cut down on this time-consuming process is to use soaker hoses to make sure your plants are getting water right where they need it. These porous hoses let water seep out slowly and soak deeply. Roots have time to absorb the moisture, and there is less risk of over-watering.

Automatic timers: Simplify watering duties even more by using automatic timers. Use these in conjunction with soaker hoses and drip irrigation systems and put your watering woes on autopilot. The timers can be set to come on from several times a day to once a week. Then, whether you leave home for weeks or want more carefree time in the hammock, you won't have to worry about your plants or lawn not getting watered.

Mulch: Usually the most dreaded task in any garden is the weeding. One simple solution to cutting down on the amount of weeds is to use mulch. A 3-inch layer will block the sunlight most weed seeds need to germinate. The added benefit of mulch is that it keeps soil cooler, cuts down on moisture loss and helps suppress disease. It even looks great and really shows off the plants.

As life gets busier, make it easier at home. Next time you opt for a staycation, you should be a lot more relaxed in your own personal oasis.

(Joe Lamp'l, host of "Fresh From the Garden" on the DIY Network and "GardenSMART" on PBS, is a Master Gardener and author. For more information, visit www.joegardener.com and www.DIYnetwork.com. For more stories, visit www.scrippsnews.com.)

(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, http://www.scrippsnews.com)