Don’t Spend Money on Landscaping
The biggest expense in keeping your lawn gorgeous is hiring professionals. So keep your landscaping simple enough that you can DIY as much as possible. Consider artificial grass—while the upfront cost might be a little higher than sod (or a lot in some places) artificial grass eliminates the need for a mower and irrigation and maintenance is only the occasional raking and a bottle of cleaner for stains.
If you’re buying flowers, choose perennials instead of annuals. These hardier plants require less replacing and are perfect for those whose thumbs are more brown than green. (Find more ways to save money on yard-care costs over at the Penny Hoarder!)
For Easy-to-Raise Plants
At PlantNative.org, you can find lists of flowers, shrubs, trees, vines, and grasses that are native to your area. This means they’ll not only be less expensive to buy, they’ll also hold up well in your garden.
Easy DIY Lawn Fertilizer
Did you know Epsom salts are one of the best natural lawn fertilizers around? They’re composed of magnesium and sulfur, both of which are highly beneficial to grass. Magnesium kick-starts seed germination and is also a player in manufacturing chlorophyll, the substance that plants create from sunlight in order to feed themselves. Sulfur, meanwhile, also helps with chlorophyll, while simultaneously enhancing the effects of other fertilizer ingredients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. It also deters certain pests such as ground worms. With all these benefits, it’s no wonder that savvy lawn care specialists have been using Epsom salts for years. You can either sprinkle them on your lawn using a spreader or make a liquid solution out of them by adding some water and putting the mixture in a spray bottle.
Keep Birds Away from a Newly Seeded Lawn
If a scarecrow doesn’t work to keep birds from feasting on your grass seeds, try this modern-day equivalent before you resort to netting. Place stakes at the four corners of the area you want to protect. Now cut two pieces of string, long enough to reach diagonally in an X across the lawn. Every foot or two along the strings you’ll want to tie one-inch strips of aluminum foil. The breeze will keep the aluminum pieces flapping about and scaring off would-be invaders. Or, use old CDs or DVDs as reflective surfaces. Early morning is the best time to water your lawn or garden because you’ll minimize evaporation. The absolute worst time to do it is during the bright sun of the afternoon.
Get Your Wicker Ready for Spring
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