Fall on a budget

Fall is a great time of the year. We all look forward to the cooler weather after a long hot summer. During the hot summer months most of us have neglected our gardens and lawns. Now is the perfect time to perk them up and give them some new life without breaking the bank. There are many things that can be done inexpensively and can make a huge impact.

Color is the first thing that will make a tired yard look new again. Start by reseeding and aerating your lawn. The new green growth will make your landscape look new and refreshed. To save some money use quality products. If you use a good product you will actually use less of it and see faster longer lasting results. A good time released fertilizer will last longer and you only need to apply it every 3 months. Look for a seed that is pure without weed seed and fillers. Buying pure seed means you aren't waisting your money on filler and you will get more seed per pound.

Now that your grass is on its way to being thick and green, lets look to the beds. Add some new mulch or pine straw will not only make them look good, it will also help protect your plants from the upcoming cold weather. By topping off your beds twice a year in spring and fall, you will use less per application saving you money. Keeping a good base of mulch means less is need to to top them off each season. Don't make the mistake of letting your mulch get bare and thin, that will create more weeds and make a bigger and more expensive chore for you to do later.

Fall is a great time to plant trees and shrubs. By planting in the fall the trees and shrubs have all winter to get acclimated to their new home and you have less of risk of loosing your new plants to stress. When you plant in the fall you will be assured of a wonder spring with lots of new growth and a healthy plant. When choosing a tree be sure to check your site and choose the right tree for the area. Choosing a tree that gets to large means taking it out at a later date. Many trees have cultivators that will grow smaller but retain the beauty of that species.

The last thing to think about is color for your beds. Add some great annuals to fill in the areas when the shrubs go dormant. There are lots of things to plant that add color when all the leaves drop. These cool weather annuals will keep going all winter to give your garden a welcoming burst of color. Don't forget your walkways, porches and entries. These areas are what you and your guest see as they enter your house. Make it a welcoming site to come home to.

By using any of these examples you will surely have a great looking landscape and keep your costs under control too. By keeping your cost down you'll have more money in your pocket or more money to spend on your landscape.