Get to know your yard and decide how you want to use it.

pH is a measure of soil acidity or alkalinity and directly affects the availability of nutrients for your plants.

Where is it sunny or shady? What is the pH of your soil? What type of soil (e.g. sandy, clay) do you have in your yard? Look around—are there plants with problems? Where do you want play areas, vegetables, color, views or privacy? How much lawn do you need or want to maintain?

Choose the right plant for the right place.

Select plants that grow well in your area of the country and fit the amount of sun, type of soil and water available in your yard. (In general, it makes sense to use low-water plants to save yourself the time and expense of watering). Think about how big a tree or shrub will be when mature (especially next to your house or driveway and near power lines).

Pick plants that resist pests

Many garden centers and nurseries offer information about pest- and disease-resistant plant varieties. After they’re established, they’ll save you time and money on pest control.

Give plants a good start.

Prepare the soil by mixing one to three inches of compost into soil in planting beds. For trees and shrubs, mix compost into the whole planting bed, or just plant in existing soil and mulch thoroughly. Set plants at the correct soil level, following instructions provided with your plant. Mulch new plantings and be sure to water even drought-tolerant plants during their first few years especially in the summer and fall until they build deep roots.

Make Space for Wildlife

You can invite birds, butterflies and other wildlife into your yard, protect streams and fish, and make a more attractive landscape.

• Consider planting native trees and plants, especially ones with berries, fruit and flowers.
• Plant in layers (ground cover, shrubs, and trees) so your landscape is like the forest.
• Don’t plant invasive species—check with your local Cooperative Extension Office for a list of invasive “noxious weeds.”
• Minimize potential harm to birds, beneficial insects, and fish by using pesticides only when necessary and using them properly. Read the label and follow instructions carefully whenever you use a pesticide.
• Provide a bird bath or other small water source. Make sure you change the water every couple of days so your bird bath doesn’t become a mosquito breeding ground.
• Leave wild “buffer” areas of native plants along ravines, streams, shorelines and fencelines.