You've pictured it, planned it, and made it happen.  You've even had opportunities to enjoy your yard and garden with children, pets, friends, and family.  Now it's time to create a plan to maintain it for years of beauty and enjoyment.  One option is to hire a lawn care company to handle maintenance.  However, if you enjoy gardening and working in the yard yourself, make an appointment with yourself to spend several hours or a day or more - depending on the size of your space - handlng the following tasks:

Spring clean-up

1. Remove debris.  Basic clean-up after winter weather includes removing everything that litters your space after winter weather has passed: broken twigs and branches, leaves, animal waste, trash. 
2. Note repairs.  As you remove debris, look carefully at the plants and structures in your yard and garden space.  What plants need trimming, pruning, or repair?  What structures need fixing, painting, replacing or removing altogether?  Make a list for use later.
3. Remove dead grass.  To prevent excessive thatch, rake grassy areas or use a mower with a bagger.
4. Fertilize bare spots.  Fill in areas worn down from winter frost or pet wear with hardy seed formulated specifically for bare spots that develop from wear or constant shade.
5. Apply pre-emergent herbicide.  Spring is the season to prevent weeds.  Unlike herbicides that kill weeds that have already sprouted, pre-emergent herbicides keep weeds from growing in the first place.
6. Shop for repair items.  Using the list you created in step #2, find the items you need to handle each of the repairs you noted.  Then schedule some time to address all of the repairs on your list.
7. Schedule regular mowing and weeding.  To keep your yard and garden looking fresh, maintain a mowing and weeding schedule throughout the growing season (for most areas, April through early November).  Your schedule may vary through the season depending on how frequently grass, flowers, herbs, vegetables, and weeds need attention, from once every three or four days to once each week to ten days.

Encourage your family members to join you, and keep them involved throughout the planting, growing and maintenance steps so that they may appreciate the work and rewards you can find in your yard and garden.

For a comprehensive, detailed guide to garden maintenance, link to Better Homes and Gardens.  For yard maintenance tips, visit Garden Place.

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