Sometimes keeping up with landscaping and gardening can become overwhelming. If you are ready to refresh your property, but your greenery is overgrown, don’t fret. Below are a few tips to give your outside area a much-needed makeover.

How to Clean Up an Overgrown Garden

1. Sort Alive & Dead Plants

Figure out which plants can be saved by checking the stems. Even if leaves are brown and missing, stems that are firm and pliable mean the plant may be salvageable. Trying to sort plants with unruly grass, though, makes it harder to see what is healthy and what isn't.

Mow and edge the lawn, and once you have cleaned up the grass and can see what needs to be removed, dig down to the root to eliminate the whole dead plant. For trees and shrubs with large, deep root systems, call a landscaping professional for help.

2. Divide the Perennials

Since perennials rejuvenate on their own and create more plants, they may be overwhelming your garden. Carefully dig out each plant in the fall, and begin dividing the plants and bushes that have grown too large for your yard or personal taste. Replant what you want to keep.

3. Prune

In early spring, before the first bud break, prune each area. Trees and shrubs handle pruning best because they are sturdier and have a solid root system that can handle stress. Pruning will not only rejuvenate them, but it will also make them easier to maintain once they are trimmed.

For more sensitive plants, like orchids, ferns, tomatoes, and azaleas, remove a third of the growth over a three year period. Because the process is spread out, it reduces stress and damage to the plants and doesn’t leave them open to insect infestations or diseases. 

4. Control Weeds

Weeds are common in an overgrown garden. Pull the weeds out by hand, but if the area is unmanageable, consider spraying an herbicide. If you don’t want to add chemicals to your landscaping, hoe the plants into the soil and then cover them with black plastic to kill even the toughest of weeds in a few weeks. Add mulch to prohibit future growth.

5. Create a Path

Organize an overgrown garden with paths made of paving bricks and stones. This helps clear away messy sections and control weeds and overgrowth from creeping into other areas. Stones and pavers reduce clutter and provide an appealing contrast to the greenery.

When your landscaping needs to be revitalized, trust Lakeview Garden Center and Landscaping. The landscape design and gardening professionals bring more than 30 years of experience to every customer in the Cincinnati, OH, area. They are also well-versed in hardscapes to complete the overall feel of your yard and offer customers a garden center filled with plants and products for regular maintenance. Call (513) 829-6624 to speak with a knowledgeable representative or visit them online for their full list of services.