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