Small-Scale Landscaping: Think Clean & Green

If you’re looking for a simple approach to gardening and landscaping that will have a big impact, focus on getting the property cleaned up. Some easy-care steps will produce a greener, better-trimmed lawn. Even some basic cleaning tasks, such as clearing out beds and weeding, can go a long way toward getting your property ready for the new season.

Lush and Green

First and foremost, to encourage green grass, get any lingering leaves off the property. They cause more than an eyesore.

“Any leaves left in the yard will kill your grass and mess up the PH of the soil,” warns Kevin Pigg, owner of the Pigg Patch Garden Center in Lebanon, Tennessee. “You don’t have to just haul them away though. You can mulch them up and use them as fertilizer.”

Proper fertilization is actually the best way to get a green lawn, says Jeffrey Johns, president of Coastal Greenery Inc. in Brunswick, Georgia.

“I always recommend slow-release products,” he said. “While quick-release fertilizers will green a lawn faster, the nutrients only last a short period of time, resulting in more applications. Slow-release products do cost a little more, but they release nutrients into the soil over a longer period of time, resulting in fewer applications.”

Johns also advises mulching grass instead of bagging it. It saves time and helps to naturally fertilize the lawn, which means you’ll use less chemical fertilizer. Instead of using the bagging attachment on your lawnmower Johns recommends picking up a mulching blade kit at any hardware store.

“Mulching grass is so simple," he said, "but I’d say it’s one of the most important factors in getting a green lawn.”

Garden on a Budget

Gardening can quickly become expensive. A few quick tips can help you produce a successful garden on a budget.

Keep your soil healthy. Good soil is the key to a successful garden, so do your best to keep it healthy. Compost your food waste, grass clippings, and leaves to produce natural fertilizer. It's healthy for the plants and means less money spent on store-bought products.

Make smart plant purchases. Buy flats instead of individual flowers. Like anything in bulk, flats are typically discounted. Want to save even more? Grow your flowers from seeds. It takes a lot more time and effort, but it’s rewarding to watch a plant come to life from your own hard work.

Maintain, maintain, maintain. The easiest way to let your garden investment go to waste is to not keep up with routine maintenance. Water plants regularly The amount of watering you should do differs by region but aim to keep soil moist, not saturated. In some areas that may mean watering every day. Trim back overgrown plants and keep the beds weed free.

Clean and Trim

The experts say you must seek out overgrown plants early and trim them back.

“The biggest eyesores are the overgrown plants under windows and near doorways, so those are most important to prune," Johns said. "You’ll also want to remove any dead limbs from trees or dead plants within your beds. Getting all of that cleared out makes a big difference.”

Dead branches and twigs also pose potential problems. Walk your grounds and pick up any branches you find before you start planting anything. The branches are an eyesore you don't need, Pigg said. Beyond that, rodents use them for instant homes, and loose branches can damage mower blades.

When mowing, always aim for the proper mowing height, which differs by grass type.

“Google your type of turf to find out the proper mowing height,” Johns said, adding that the right measure may range from 1.5 inches to 3.5 inches.

Finishing Touches

After the yard is cleaned up and the lawn is mowed, you can put some finishing touches on the property by giving the plant beds clean, crisp edges. Johns said it can be done with a weeder or a mechanical edger.

"This provides a nice manicured look and also makes mowing easier," Johns said.

From there it's a matter of steady maintenance. The beds will keep that look only if all of the old mulch is replaced with new mulch. The beds also must be kept weed-free.

Pigg suggested this is a good time to add some colorful spring flowers to brighten things up. The best time to plant depends on where you’re located, but it should be done after the last frost has passed. An almanac should be able to tell you the average "frost dates" for your region based on past spring seasons. This should give you an idea of when it's likely safe to start planting.

“I like to suggest perennials for a do-it-yourselfer because they have a large selection of colors and tend to be low-maintenance,” Johns said. “While everyone loves a green landscape, you need those pops of color to really enhance the value and overall appeal of the property.”

In the end, even these simple approaches to gardening and landscaping can go a long way. Just be prepared to do some hard work, Pigg said.

“Spring clean-up can be a lot of work, so wear your back support and put some gloves on,” he said. “Try to make it fun. Gather up some family members, order a pizza, and work together. It is hard work, but it pays off.”