Landscaping & Lawn Maintenance

Landscaping

• 1

  Collect a soil sample. Dig several holes, about 6 inches deep, around the yard. Take a small amount of soil from each hole and put it in a plastic bucket. Mix the soil and seal about 1/2 cup in a plastic baggie. Send it to a local university or cooperative extension lab for testing. Knowing the pH and composition of the soil helps you determine which plants to use in your landscape.

• 2

  Learn the mature size of trees and shrubs when landscaping. Large trees, such as white ash or hackberry, can become 50 feet or taller, so they should be planted in open areas. Apricot and Amur maple are smaller, growing less than 25 feet tall, and can be planted in smaller areas. Use the soil pH test results as a guide when choosing plants.

• 3

  Match plants with your growing conditions. For instance, plant full-sun, drought-resistant specimens in warm climates.

• 4

  Place larger shrubs and plants behind smaller ones. This creates depth in your gardens. Use a spreading ground cover as a good alternative for rocky areas or spots with less-than-ideal growing conditions.

• 5

  Brighten up the landscape with profuse blooms. Annual flowers tend to be brighter, though they have less foliage, than perennials. However, they need to be re-planted every year. Perennials are lower-maintenance because they grow back year after year.

Lawn Maintenance

• 6

  Fertilize lawns with a high-nitrogen blend, for a bright green, thick, dense lawn. Feed the grass every eight to 10 weeks, with a larger amount in the fall, before winter sets in. According to Ohio State University Extension, apply a blend (ideally one with a 10-6-4 ratio) in April, June, August and November. Apply 5 pounds in April, 10 pounds in June, 10 pounds in August and 20 pounds in November.

• 7

  Water the grass to keep it from turning brown or coarse. It needs an inch of water per week to stay green. Set a lawn sprinkler in place for one to two hours to apply an inch of water, then move the sprinkler to another location. Insert a finger in the soil. It should be moist to a depth of 6 to 8 inches. Water in the early morning.

• 8

  Mow grass to a height of about 2 to 3 inches. Never cut off more than one-third of the leaf blade at a time. Slightly longer grass in the summer promotes growth. Use a sharp mower to avoid ripping or tearing.

• 9

  Apply an herbicide to remove weeds. Use a formula targeted for the specific grass and weed type you have. If the problem is limited, pull them out by hand (including the roots).