10 Tips for a Great Yard
Nov 20th 2017
Maintaining your yard may seem like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. These Gainesville landscaping tips from Evergreen Lawn Care can make yard work easier and help you improve the health and look of your lawn.
1. Plant a Rain Garden
In a city known for its frequent rains, minimizing flooding is one aspect of lawn care Gainesville, FL, residents should master. You can do it by creating a rain garden, which is an intentionally depressed area of your yard designed to collect rainwater that naturally flows into it to nurture the soil and flowers. During a rainy season, this method can save you money on water bills and time that you would otherwise spend watering your plants.
2. Pick Your Plants Strategically
Researching the properties and abilities of certain plants could work in your favor if you have a problematic area in your yard, such as a steep slope that is tough to mow and erodes easily. This situation would require plants that do not grow tall but do grow deep roots quickly to control erosion. Groundcovers such as English ivy, sweet woodruff and stonecrops, among others, could provide a solution.
3. Use Pots for Mobility
If you like to switch things up often, putting seasonal flowers or plants that you know you will replace soon in pots — instead of in the ground — will make this process easier. Flower pots, especially if they are small, are easy to carry around and convenient for people who redecorate their yard or bring plants inside frequently. You can also use pots if you want to make certain flowers stand out from the rest of your garden or decorate other high-visibility areas of your home.
4. Don’t Waste Soil
Many times, homeowners purchase more soil than they need. Avoid the rookie mistake of throwing too much soil into a large pot where you will put a small plant that does not grow deep roots. This will only make the pot heavy and difficult to move and waste your money on soil that will go unused. Instead, fill the extra space in the pot with packing peanuts and add only the necessary amount of soil on top.
5. Save Money on Fertilizer
When you rake leaves or mow your lawn, think twice before throwing away the leaves or grass clippings. You could use a mulching mower, a leaf shredder blower or vacuum to grind them up. Add them to the compost pile to use them as fertilizer and food for the earthworms that keep your soil healthy.
6. Make Mowing Easier
If you want to populate your garden without dreading the chore of mowing and trimming around each individual plant, consider grouping all your plants into beds or islands. This also adds a pop of color to your yard without taking up all the lawn space you could use for activities.
7. Eliminate Weeds Often
Getting rid of these invasive and persistent plants should not have to take up a big part of your Gainesville lawn care budget. Dump boiling water on them to kill them instantly and inexpensively. This tip works especially well for weeds that grow between the floor cracks of a patio or driveway because the risk of damaging surrounding plants is smaller than if you were to do it in the middle of your garden.
8. Use Plants as Cover-Ups
If you have a septic tank or another underground fixture that does not look appealing, cover it up with a layer of mulch and pretty flowers. When you need to access the tank, you can easily swipe the mulch away, and when you don’t, your visitors won’t know it’s there.
9. Give Artificial Grass a Chance
If trying to maintain your grass healthy and patch-free is giving you trouble, you might want to give artificial grass a chance. If you have pets or children who love to play outside, installing a bright, lush-looking artificial turf can make your life easier by preventing your loved ones from digging, creating brown patches while running around and tracking mud into your home. Plus, you will never have to mow or water it!
10. Edge Your Garden
Installing a border that separates your garden from the rest of your yard makes it look tidy and organized. It also helps minimize the amount of soil from the garden that crosses over into the grass or pavement. Common materials for this are wood and stone.
Lawn Care Companies in Gainesville, FL
Evergreen Lawn Care provides high-quality lawn service Gainesville, FL, residents can rely on. From planting to pruning, irrigating, removing debris, pressure washing and recommending plants that fit your home and lifestyle, we will attend to your landscaping needs so you can have a beautiful yard without sweating it. Call us today for an appointment or consultation!
