The best lawn care and landscaping tips I've learned as a professional landscaping business owner

Tip 1: Always check the mature size of shrubs before you buy!

I've seen it time and time again. A homeowner gives me a call for their overgrown yard. I show up to the property, and giant rhododendrons, wisteria, or yew bushes are eating the side of my client house. The shrubs block the sun, leading to mildew growth, discoloration, and scratches from branches with nowhere to grow.

These types of shrubs are bred systematically and marketed in a variety of shapes and sizes. Always check the product tag to ensure the mature size of the shrub will be desirable in the preferred planting location. A giant rhododendron with 200 beautiful white blooms is an eyesore when its consuming the chimney.

Tip 2: Don't use weed fabric.

Please never do this. Weed fabric:

A. Doesn't block weeds in the long term.

B. Creates a barrier between shrubs and potential water sources.

C. Looks horrible when it inevitably rips, peels up, and has to be ripped out and replaced.

Tip 3: The weed wacker reigns supreme.

Why does your neighbors lawn look a little bit nicer even though there are weeds growing and it hasn't been mowed in 10 days? Chances are, they are detailed users of my favorite tool, the weed wacker. The weed wacker is so versatile. It can edge the sidewalk, keep the perimeter of the lawn low, hits those pesky weeds coming out of the driveway cracks, and quickly cut down vines from your fence. Used correctly, this tool puts a detailed look on your property mowing can't match. Even a slightly overgrown lawn looks good with sharp edges.