| Picture this: You're driving through the | | | | sturdy rake or shovel, remove any dead |
| neighborhood admiring the beautifully | | | | leaves, old and rotting mulch, sticks, pine |
| manicured lawns when suddenly, your scenic | | | | cones or any other dead growth, and either |
| drive is jarred by an overgrown, unkempt | | | | bag it or add it to your compost pile. Next, |
| front yard. You immediately cringe in | | | | pull or dig up any visible grasses or weeds |
| disgust—but not just at the sight of | | | | and remove as much of their roots as |
| the yard. You're most appalled knowing that | | | | possible. Keep in mind that many will |
| this eyesore is your yard. | | | | reappear, so pull them as soon as they |
| | | | return. Finally, turn the soil with a shovel |
| So, what's a busy homeowner like you supposed | | | | and give it a good soaking to loosen it for |
| to do? Simple. Follow these seven steps and | | | | planting. To give the bed extra definition |
| in just one weekend, you'll be sitting pretty | | | | and a sharp edge, dig out a small border |
| in a yard you can be proud to call your own. | | | | around it with a flat shovel. |
| | | | |
| Step 1: Mow the Lawn Regularly | | | | Step 5: Start Planting |
| | | | |
| Mowing may seem like a routine chore, but | | | | Once you've purchased your plants, place them |
| cutting your grass properly can help you | | | | around the flowerbed in their containers to |
| avoid many lawn problems. First, it's | | | | create a design you like-then start planting. |
| important to know what height is ideal for | | | | First, dig the holes about twice as wide, but |
| your grass variety. As a rule, don't cut off | | | | no deeper than the plant's root ball, and |
| more than a third of the blade at one time. | | | | make sure the soil is loose. Next, add a |
| If the lawn is especially overgrown, cut off | | | | small amount of compost or fertilizer to the |
| just the top third of the grass, wait a few | | | | soil and thoroughly mix it in. Then, knock |
| days and cut it again. Most importantly, make | | | | the plant out of the pot by turning it upside |
| sure your mower blade is extremely sharp. A | | | | down and slightly tapping on the bottom. If |
| dull blade will simply tear the grass rather | | | | you notice the roots of the plant are thick, |
| than cut it. | | | | matted or growing around the pot, loosen them |
| | | | carefully before planting it. Finally, set |
| Step 2: Edge the Sidewalks and Driveway | | | | the plant in the hole so the top is even with |
| | | | the soil's surface, and fill the hole with |
| Keeping the grass neatly edged can | | | | soil. |
| dramatically improve your yard's | | | | |
| appearance—and it's easy to do. After | | | | Step 6: Mulch Flowerbeds |
| you cut the grass, use a gas-powered or | | | | |
| electric edger to cut away any grass growing | | | | There are several benefits to using mulch: it |
| over the driveway, walkway and curb. If you | | | | helps control weeds, keeps soil moist, keeps |
| don't have an edger, a string trimmer turned | | | | ground temperature cool in summer and warm in |
| on its side will do the job. | | | | winter, and it makes your plantings more |
| | | | attractive. There are several varieties of |
| Step 3: Trim Overgrown Bushes and Hedges | | | | mulch available, so choose the one that will |
| | | | work well in your lawn. |
| Clipping back unwanted growth on your bushes | | | | |
| improves their appearance, and (in some | | | | Step 7: Water, Water, Water |
| instances) help promote their health. | | | | |
| Removing diseased, pest-ridden or damage | | | | To make sure your hard work isn't in vain, |
| branches can encourage new growth, and making | | | | give your new plants a good soaking after you |
| sure bushes and hedges are properly pruned | | | | lay down your mulch, and water them |
| will also ensure they receive proper | | | | regularly. Exactly how much you need to water |
| sunlight. If you're not sure how or when to | | | | depends on the type of plants, type of soil |
| trim back certain shrubs and bushes, call | | | | and your region's weather. However, a good |
| your local nursery or county extension for | | | | rule of thumb is to water deep enough to |
| professional advice. | | | | nourish the roots. Soaker hoses and |
| | | | drip-irrigation systems are good tools for |
| Step 4: Clean Up and Prepare Flowerbeds | | | | watering deeply. But an easy way to ensure |
| | | | your plants are getting enough water is to |
| Before planting new flowers and shrubs, it's | | | | put a tuna fish can among the plants and |
| important to clean out the beds. Using a | | | | water until the can fills up completely. |