When we first moved to our current house, the pine trees in the back yard were a hot mess.  In fact, it was clear the previous home owners paid no attention to keeping their yard trimmed back - even the hedge shrubs were about six feet tall.

The first thing we did was trimmed them to about 4 feet tall.  We didn’t want them so high that someone could hide behind them since our place is somewhat isolated.  After that all the trees were trimmed up so that we could walk underneath them without a branch hitting our heads.

Take a walk in a local park and observe … you’ll see that you can walk under trees and even magnolias, pines, evergreens, etc. can look gorgeous when their branches are not growing so that they touch the ground.  Though it’s a lot of hard work, trimming trees up will give your yard the “park-like” appearance.

For more information about the best time to trim, visit here.

Unless you live on a hundred acre farm (okay, maybe one acre is a lot, too!), it doesn’t have to cost a lot to maintain a lush, green lawn.  The frugal trader over at Million Dollar Journey offered some real tips on how much it would cost to maintain the lawn yourself rather than hiring a landscaper,

Here are some of the costs of the materials from the local hardware store (like Home Depot).  Note that the materials are for a standard 50×100 city lot (in NL).

• Lime:  $5.99 per bag x 4 (2 applications, 2 bags per application) = $24
• Fertilizer: $16 per application/bag (3 applications) = $48
• Aeration: I own a 2 prong aeration tool, and only used in compacted soil areas: $20
• Spreader: $35
• Total: $127 first year, $72 per season after.

When he compared the price of a landscaper who charged about $400 per season, the $127 total price is pretty tempting.

You may or may not have heard, but in the middle Tennessee area, we experienced the 500 year flood in early May.  There was loss of lives and loss of property (in the billions), but never loss of hope. The communities have really come together to support each other - strangers helping strangers, people showing compassion and love rather than greed and barbarism.

That is the good that has come from a bad thing.  Also good are the beautiful flowers in Aunt B.’s yard that really blossomed hugely because of the satisfying drink of water they got.

Another interesting item I read on Aunt B.’s site was about what survived the flood,

Places that were unweeded suffered little loss of soil, if any. Places that had been weeded and fretted over? That’s where I lost soil. Large amounts of it.

I think this just proves that weeding is not only the worst part about gardening, but that weeds serve a useful purpose–they hold your soil in place.

There are flower weeds… maybe we should plant those in our yards when monsoon season returns next year.

I can handle snow, but I’m over it for this year!  What’s been even worse for me is the COLD this year.  Come on spring!

What can you do around your lawn to get ready for the warmer weather?  What will help your grass grow lush and the flowers peak out from their winter snooze-fest?

Perhaps the easiest thing you can do is walk around with a rake and untangle the dead grass that’s knotted up from wind, rain, snow, sleet.  By doing this, nutrients can seep down into the root system allowing your grass to thrive.

Another step is to carefully examine your bushes, shrubbery and trees.  If you see a branches or limbs that are broken, trim them away - and trim closely to the trunk.

Finally, NOW is the time to do some weeding.  They’re dead now so get rid of them before they seed and spread.

Most importantly, enjoy the fresh air that this in-between seasons time brings.  Time to clear your lungs, clear your head, and get your hands dirty!

Photo by Mike Finkelstein via flickr creative commons.

Why are some men so picky about their yards?  I’ve heard several talk about how they’d get upset if a neighbor mowed for them.  Wha?  O.o   If someone mowed my lawn for me, I’d be doing cartwheels! I once had a neighbor who lived at the end of the street TERRIBLE about mowing their lawn.  It made the whole street look shaggy - except for Mr. Meticulous who lived across from me.

So.  One day I took my lawn mower down and did their front yard.  I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone so angry over a free lawn mowing job.  Maybe they were just embarrassed.

All this brings us to The Hunters Wife who talks about how her husband made her promise not to touch the lawn when he went on a four-day trip.  Hey no problem, right?  Then he came home and decided to put her to work.  I guess some people feel they need to supervise anyone who works in their yard!  She did manage to evade most of the job.  Clever!

“You want hot chocolate? I’ll go make us some. Be right back.”  (Yes my way of taking a break.)

Back to raking leaves.  I was instructed by Sgt. Narantic not to leave one leaf behind.

Umm what excuse can I use now? Think think think.

Mark:  Where you going now?

Jody:  Umm … I think that hot chocolate gave me a tummy ache.

That will give me a good 15 minute break without being questioned.

I love this!  Go read her whole post - complete with pictures - to delight in her yard work!

I received a great little newsletter in the mail yesterday from my plumber/heat/air maintenance company.  Who knew they were also experts in lawn care?   Their tip today is to eliminate weeds before winter.

Weeds not only germinate in the fall, but they also can leave behind seeds that will germinate in the spring. Applying a weed control in the fall will kill weeds in the lawn and reduce the number that pop up in the spring. Before you get started, make sure to identify the weeds so you can choose the proper herbicide.

I have a problem with some vine that is trying to take over the front of my house.  I’ve pulled that thing down at least a dozen times this summer and it remains tenacious.  I’ll be taking some photos of it to my local garden center to see if the experts there can give advice on how to rid my lawn of it.