Tip 1

Buy Enough Plants. Don’t run out of your varietal choices. Buy more flowers than you think you’ll need…you can always return extras, or find a place to use them. If you run short and have to go back to the nursery, your color might be sold...

Tip 2

Buy enough Mulch & Soil. To know how much soil or mulch to buy, you need to know how to calculate the square footage of the area. Make fewer trips to the garden center by purchasing the right amounts of mulch and soil the first...

Tip 3

Test your soil. Get your lawn and garden soil tested by your state’s University Extension Service. Guessing on fertility requirements can lead to costly mistakes. Soil test results will show the current conditions and what needs to be applied for your type of lawn,...

Tip 4

Consolidate annuals in pots or beds at high-visibility locations in the landscape for maximum impact. Use these high-impact, long-bloomers in key locations like the mailbox, entryway, and patio containers.

Tip 5

Only buy good quality tools. The best quality may be a bit too costly, and an unnecessary expense for weekend DIYers. Cheap tools are likely to break in the middle of the first job. Save money and time by buying good quality at value...