Gardeners/homeowners, please help with landscaping of new home...?

We are first time homebuyers, and got a beautifully landscaped front yard, and back yard.

Now, we don't know the first thing about gardening, but are willing to learn.

What are the first tools we need? We don't even know about hoses, lawn mowers, etc. Please give us the names of the tools we need immediately, and brand names.

When I go shopping, I just get overwhelmed by the different brands out there.

So, initiate us into the world of gardening.



p.s. We have 3 rose bushes in the front, that are too tall and we want them to go. Lots of bushes in front that we want to select and weed out some. Want to spread grass under some trees or shady area. I know these are lots of questions, but someone can answer one or all. Thanks.

Gardeners/homeowners, please help with landscaping of new home...?
If you have a large yard you need a riding lawnmower, if it's small you can use a walk-behind mower.

A garden fork, small pruners, %26amp; a bigger heavy-duty bush pruner would be my first picks followed by a rake, shovel, hoe %26amp; an inexpensive spreader that you walk behind. The spreader doesn't have to be anything fancy; it's just something to save time %26amp; help you spread the grass seed more evenly. You can use the heavy-duty garden fork to dig up the plants that you don't want. If you want to put in a plant, the fork can be used for digging without compacting the soil for better drainage %26amp; you can use it tilted sideways to break up clumps. Your plants may need trimming so the pruners help. If you have large bushes, you'll eventually need a hedge trimmer. If you have an electrical outlet nearby your bushes, an electric hedge trimmer would be handy %26amp; convenient. You'll need a heavy-duty extension cord that'll reach to your bushes. If you have really large bushes that you're taking out, a chain-saw would be easier %26amp; faster than trying to do it any other way. Small bushes can be cut down with a heavy-duty bush pruner %26amp; a pruning saw.



Don't forget the grass seeds %26amp; either the biggest hose you can get or several medium size hoses which connect together to reach the space you have to water.

Good luck on your gardening adventure! Hope this is helpful.
Reply:For this year and next year, consider hiring a garden service to maintain things while you learn. Pruning and removing roses and shrubs needs care or you may make a mess that will be expensive to repair. There is too much for you to learn to put it all in an answer here.



Now visit your public library and sign out some general purpose gardening books (large, reference style) for your area. When you find one or two that you really like go to a bookstore and buy them. Next winter take a introductory gardening evening course at your local community college, rec program, community centre. Read any books recommended and continue to sign out books from the library but specialized ones like shrub books, shade gardening, pruning guides, etc.



By next spring you will be in a better position to know what to buy. Arrange to be home sometimes when your garden service is in the yard and help out, you will learn something.



Welcome to the world of gardening; it can be addictive!



BTW, grass does not grow in shade which is why the previous owners did not plant it under trees or in the shady areas. If you want more grass, you will have to cut down trees.
Reply:Before you start "re-designing" your property, and you are truly naive to gardening, there are a couple of things you should educate yourself about. (1) What is your growing zone? (2) What is the condition and quality of your soil? (3) What is the availability of water in your community? (4) Where is your sunlight?



Walk around your neighborhood and learn what grows well for your neighbors. Talk to your neighbors. Do most of them perform their own landscape installation and maintenance, or is hiring a maintenance service a better option for you?



You have particularly mentioned grass under trees. Grass/lawn requires a lot of water and a lot of light. Do these trees permit enough sunlight to pass through to the lawn growing area you have in mind? Do the trees drop layers and layers of leaves? (If so, you are most definitely going to need a rake!) If you install grass, install a sprinkle-type irrigation system, too, or be prepared to invest in hoses and the time to use them. (Tip: Lawns cannot be irrigated with a drip system.)



This is only a beginning. Landscaping and it's care will enhance the beauty of your home (and your spirit, too) Take your time. Plan before you dig.