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