My goal is to establish the most low maintenance garden filled with trees, shrubs, ground covers that spread easily, and vegetables. In the fall, get rid of the grass by laying at least four sheets of newspaper or cardboard, wet it, and cover it with compost. Nature will decompose the grass along with the weeds. In the Spring, you can plant right through this and have chemical-free healthy soil. Xeriscape by choosing plants that do not need much water. Gardening does not have to be, nor should it be back breaking.