How to Fix an Overgrown Yard

Mow the lawn before you begin the task of rejuvenating your yard, as it will allow you to visualize the changes that need to be made. If the lawn is to high for a mower, use a weed whacker, but get the work of clearing the lawn out of the way first. Not only will your yard look better right away, but you'll be more likely to continue.

Trim the edges of the yard with a weed whacker or hand clippers. Cut around the bases of trees, shrubs and along walkways to open up the area and set the mood for reviving the landscape. This includes all areas around buildings, fences and other decorative items.

Assess the trees and shrubs in your yard. Many can be revived with a good pruning. Remove all dead or diseased limbs and trim back overgrown branches. Thin to the healthiest 4 to 6 branches, if foliage has become dense. This allows sunlight to reach the center and increases air circulation. Some shrubs, such as lilacs, can be cut back to the ground and allowed to regrow from the roots. Keep in mind that severe pruning results in an "empty" spot in your yard for several months, but next year's growth will quickly fill in the landscape.

Divide overgrown perennials and transplant them to new areas or simply give away the extra plants. This opens up garden beds and increases air circulation, which in turn discourages disease. Most perennials benefit from division every three to five years and show decreased vigor, fewer blooms and may produce smaller blooms that lack their characteristic rich colors. Dividing them results in larger and more colorful blooms in the following season.

Clean up walkways or add new pathways by layering pebbles, decorative mulch or gravel. A simple winding pathway between sections of your yard enlivens the landscape. Look for well-traveled areas where the grass struggles under the foot traffic, and consider creating a formal pathway.

Paint garden furniture, plant pots and garden art in bright new colors to give your yard a new look. This includes neglected fences, birdhouses, birdbaths and any other decorative items in your yard. A coat of fresh paint tends to give the entire area a new look.