Overgrown Yard Help

Discussion in 'Gardening Other' started by Guspy, Jul 22, 2014.

  1. Guspy

    Guspy New Seed

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    Hi guys I am a first time poster here but I have a pretty serious problem. As of late the yard has been incredibly overgrown dude to my parents being unable to maintain it because they work so often. I've come home for college and decided I should start taking care of it. However, this yard is so massively overgrown there are weeds, the shrubs look really ugly and its just a mess its most likely hasn't been maintained since for almost a year. So where do I start? Also, pictures will be upload soon. Any and all help would be so greatly appreciated.

    Edit Photos if you need a more specific picture I shall go out and get them
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  3. toni

    toni Mistress of Garden Junque Staff Member Moderator Plants Contributor

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    Welcome to GardenStew.

    First ID what you call weeds to make sure they aren't perennials in a flower bed that can't be seen because of the overgrown grass. ID the shrubs too to before cutting on them or spraying around them.

    Then it's usually best to pick a spot and start there, start up against the front of the house, moving on to the next spot when that one has been weeded, trimmed and fed. If you start by mowing the whole thing down you will sometimes loose track of what is weed and what is grass and end up killing the grass that you want to keep.

    Photos will help a great deal, looking forward to seeing them.
     
    Frank and Clay_22 like this.
  4. Guspy

    Guspy New Seed

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    Hey I am relatively new to this but I posted the photos also what would be the difference between weeds and flower beds? In all honesty though my parents simply want me to "Clean the lawn up" so I don't think they care much about aesthetic right now.
     
  5. carolyn

    carolyn Strong Ash

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    Those links do nothing. Can you upload some picture to the Stew and let us see them.

    But, you first need to know what you want to keep and what you aren't keeping (aka weed, trash trees, overgrown shrubs etc) You need to be able to identify them by name. Your parent's may say they don't care, but if they paid money for a specimen tree or shrub, they may just remember about it too late. oops!

    just pick a spot and start. Don't look all around at how much there is to do. Just focus on one area at a time.

    A sharp shovel, hand pruners, loppers a leaf rake and a spring rake, a wheel barrow and I am sure I am missing a few more important tools, but make sure you have tools to work with.


    Oh, a lawn mower and a weed eater helps, too.
     
    Henry Johnson likes this.



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  6. toni

    toni Mistress of Garden Junque Staff Member Moderator Plants Contributor

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  7. waretrop

    waretrop Strong Ash Plants Contributor

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    I copied and pasted each link to a new window and it worked for me. Sometimes it takes a little to learn how to navigate around.

    From what I see you can probably slowly clear most things. I am not very smart about these things but I do see allot of weeds.

    Hope we can help along the way.

    Welcome to our very very friendly garden place.
     
  8. Guspy

    Guspy New Seed

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    I reposted the images for you guys and thank you for the welcome! My parents didn't really do much to the yard they very much prefer if it was clear and plain more than anything so I rather clear out of the stuff.
     
    carolyn likes this.
  9. Netty

    Netty Chaotic Gardener Plants Contributor

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    I could see them too. I think that it looks worse than it really is. I would begin by pulling the vines and cutting the weed trees out of the shrubs. Once you get the worst of it out you can trim the shrubs and pull the weeds. Once that is done, it won't look so bad at all!
     
  10. carolyn

    carolyn Strong Ash

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    Sorry, When I tried to view them I had a "no image found"...

    but, that isn't as bad as I expected. I agree with Netty. Start with pulling out any vines. Weed eat around the beds, mow the grass and trim the shrubs and trees. You'll have it looking great in no time.
     
  11. toni

    toni Mistress of Garden Junque Staff Member Moderator Plants Contributor

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    After you get it in better shape and if they have no interest or ability to keep it looking prim and proper, how about hiring a landscaping service for them as an early holiday or birthday gift to come out at least once month to do the mowing, trimming, etc for them.

    They probably don't think about it, but having the yard look nice will give them a lift in spirits and make them feel better about coming home.
     

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