Strategic Backyard Landscaping for the Weekend Warrior
by
Kelly Richardson
All About Lawns Columnist
Weekend warrior (N): A person who participates in a physically strenuous activity only on weekends or part-time.
A broken fence, overgrown kudzu, weed invasion, thick grass as high as your knees: one Saturday you look into your backyard and see a virtual landscaping nightmare. With an attitude inspired by visions of that yard-of-the-month award, you decide to tackle the entire project all at once. You are the weekend warrior.
Since there's no way to talk you out of it, the only thing to do is give you some sensible tips on what areas to attack first and how, as well as some important techniques that will keep you from injuring yourself in the process.
Backyard Landscaping Tools
- The Weed-Eater. This six-foot long machine is perfect for all types of trimming. Shrubbery, lawn edges, tree bases and fences can be handled with relative ease. You can get one that's gas-powered, electric or cordless.
- The Lawn Mower. If your lawn is taller than a foot, it might take a couple of passes before you can get the lawn line close to the ground. But don't mow too low right away. Set your lawn mower on its highest setting and work your way down.
- Elbow Grease. Cutting stray branches and pulling weeds from the garden can only be done by good old-fashioned hand labor. Complete the jobs in the morning or late afternoon to avoid that blistering sun.
If you're truly a weekend warrior, there are several unseen dangers that can hamper your project and result in possible injury. As the Boy Scouts will tell you, "Always be prepared."
Landscaping Landmines -- What to Avoid
- Exhaustion. Drink plenty of fluids throughout the day. Take frequent breaks from direct sunlight under the shade of a tent or other covering.
- Injury. Anytime you handle lawn and landscaping equipment, injuries can occur. A first aid kit should be close by at all times.
For the true weekend warrior, a day of backyard landscaping can offer solitude and satisfaction. Knowledge and preparation are the keys to rehabilitating your lawn.
Sources: The Free Dictionary
grants@RIT
About the Author
Kelly Richardson has obsessive compulsive lawn disorder and is
afflicted with the need to share his knowledge with the world. Kelly
writes lawn columns for a variety of home and garden magazines and
e-zines.
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