No, This isn’t a tribute to the epic comedy, “Monty Python’s Holy Grail,” (a must watch. Every time I watch this movie I discover something new.) Someone asked me, (insert Customer A) “What is the quickest and least expensive way to improve my yard instantly?”
“Bring out yer dead..” I replied. Let me elaborate…
Let’s say you haven’t done yard work all summer, (yes, this happens) and you just don’t know where to begin now that you have a weekend with cooler temps and your football team has already lost a game so any hopes of the national title is nil. You’re outside with your cup of coffee and gazing about the yard, patiently setting your goals. Before you go try to unwind that extension cord you threw into the shed randomly which is now mixed up in the fishing poles, move those boxes out of the way so you can grab your hedge clippers, just hold on a second.
I highly recommend the following items: Rake, paper bags, hand pruners, loppers, gloves and eye protection, hand saw and maybe a tarp to collect all the clippings on before you bag, (or drag) to the street.
Whether your yard is well manicured or overgrown the first thing you do is walk about the yard and pick up the dead limbs. Then go around and get the dead limbs off your shrubs and trees. I grab grasses and day lilies and such and pull them upwards and remove the dead thatch around the bottom, maybe even trim the bottom layer, (wear eye protection! Sweet grass and the like will damage your eye!) Get the leaves that have been blown into the shrubs (usually by landscapers) out of the center so that your plants aren’t drowning. Take a metal leaf rake and rake the dead thatch out of the lawn.
One thing to note: Many plants like hydrangea may look dead in the winter but are not. Make sure you research what you cut back.
Well, there you have it folks. This is the most instant thing you can do to improve your yard. If you really need to save the money, do it yourself. Also remember Rome wasn’t cleaned up in a day. Persistence and Patience my friends! Have a great November all!
Charlie Stonecypher is the owner of Suncoast Irrigation and Landscaping. They specialize in products that work smart without wasting resources. Contact him at (843) 327-8642 or email suncoastirrigation@gmail.com.
