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The best way to clean an overgrown yard is to create a multi-stage game plan, from clearing out the debris to cleaning up the edges around hardscaping and landscape curbing. Get rid of yard debris like worn furniture and broken tools first, then start trimming and raking what’s left. Mow the grass, trim the hedges, and rake leaves away. Once that’s complete, move on to more detailed work, like pulling weeds and replanting gardens.

In most cases, it is worth paying for professional lawn care. DIY lawn maintenance is possible, but it can get extremely time-consuming, especially to make your property look well-maintained. Not only is lawn maintenance time-intensive, but it can also get expensive, even to DIY, especially considering the cost of fuel and maintenance for your lawn care tools. Professional lawn care services average around $100 per service, making it a relatively inexpensive investment, especially for how much time it saves you.

Mowing at least once a week during the growing season is a good general rule. However, every lawn is different, and factors like frequent rain and fertilizer use can cause grass to grow faster, potentially requiring mowing as often as every four days. When you mow, always follow the 'one-third rule': never cut more than one-third of the grass blade's height at once, as this can weaken it and prevent it from taking in proper nutrients. For most grass types, the ideal height is around 2 to 3 inches, though some warm-weather grasses do better when kept shorter at about 1.5 to 2 inches.

As a beginner, start by mowing your lawn in symmetrical rows by turning the mower at the end of each row and overlapping with the previous row. Use an edging tool or weedwacker to make your lawn look sharp and crisp around the edges, and then sweep the debris back into the yard. Take it slow, and know that you can adjust your approach or pattern the next time your grass needs a clip.