Every year, thousands of people do the same dance at local greenhouses. They search a few minutes for the prettiest annuals, throw them on the cart and take them home. While annuals certainly are pretty and often bloom many times, perennial flowers have their benefits and place in your garden or landscape as well.

What is a Perennial?

Like most grass seed that you plant, perennials (should) grow back either indefinitely or for a set number of years. This means they are often hardy, well rooted, and a one-time investment.

Which is Right for Me?

First, determine the area in which you will be planting. Does it receive light all day? Half of the day? Only indirectly? These will all determine which of the many common perennial flowers you have to choose from.

Full sun perennials (six-plus hours of sunlight):

Half sun/half shade (three to four hours of sunlight):

Full Shade (only indirect sunlight):

While light is a very important factor to consider, also consider the type of soil you will be planting in. Does it drain well or does it often hold moisture? What nitrogen content does it have? What is the PH level?

Some plants, such as hydrangeas, determine their color by the acidity of the soil. Some plants will quickly die if it is too acidic or not acidic enough. Others may need a quick drink but don’t like to sit in the water for hours. Add to all these factors the fact that you want your house to have a significant amount of curb appeal and you might have a lot on your plate.

Feeling Overwhelmed?

With so many common perennial flowers to choose from, making sure you put together the right ones for your home is important. If you are feeling a bit overwhelmed, consider hiring a professional landscaper. TalkLocal can hook you up with a local professional that has experience and is located in the area. Our service is free and incredibly easy.

A first impression lasts forever, and the way your lawn looks says a lot about you and your home. A spotty, weed-infested and sparse landscape makes the rest of your home look dingy and run down and makes you seem like you don’t care. Therefore, it’s important to take good care of your lawn through regular feeding and maintenance. One way you can do this is by mulching. Mulching involves the application organic matter to a surface in order to add nutrients and enhance growth. Here’s how to mulch your lawn.

Why Mulch Your Lawn?

1. The high nitrogen content of mulch makes the grass greener and promotes dense growth. The thicker the growth is, the harder it will be for weeds to take hold.

2. Mulch is excellent at holding in moisture, making your grass less susceptible to prolonged drought.

3. Mulch helps to block out the growth of weeds and deter pests.

4. The presence of mulch on your lawn encourages a healthy earthworm population, as this is a great source of food for them. Earthworms are highly beneficial to your grass, aerating the soil with their tunnels and fertilizing the roots with their castings.

5. Mulch protects against soil degradation and erosion by shielding it from the sun, wind, and rain.

How to Mulch Your Lawn

1. Choose your mulch. You can use wheat, barley and oat straw, but many homeowners prefer mulched grass clippings. These are grass clippings that have been finely cut to make them spreadable.

2. Once you have your mulch, just sprinkle it over your yard generously, and evenly, and give it a thorough watering. Watering afterward weighs the mulch down into the grass and helps it to begin decomposing.

When Should You Mulch You Lawn?

Mulching can be done almost any time of the year. However, it is most recommended when temperatures get very high and there hasn’t been much rain. It’s also a good idea to mulch in mid to late fall. This feeds and protects your lawn throughout the winter.

Further Assistance

If this job sounds too big for you, you can use TalkLocal to find a landscaper near you. We will connect you with up to three reputable landscaping contractors who will be available to help you when you need them.