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To reduce landscaping costs, you can implement several strategies at every stage. Consider doing the work yourself (DIY) to save on professional labor fees. You can also repurpose existing features and materials from other home projects. When purchasing new items, choose more inexpensive materials and opt for softscaping over hardscaping where possible. Another effective method is to buy young plants or plant from seed, which is more cost-effective than purchasing mature plants.

If you have a large area of brush and vegetation to clear, forestry mulching may be the best option. This method works well for relatively flat areas that don’t have many large rocks or mature trees to clear. Forestry mulching is a relatively quick process that improves soil health, reduces fire risk, and leaves behind usable mulch.

How often you should maintain your yard depends on your climate and what season it is. A general rule of thumb is to maintain a lawn height of three inches.

It’s unlikely your leaves are a hazard, especially if you get to them while they’re dry. However, a couple of rare risks exist. University studies suggest that decaying leaves can produce organochlorines, toxic pollutants similar to man-made PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls), so avoid keeping them in an enclosed area.

Also, leaves and compost may cause the growth of fungi that can cause diseases like histoplasmosis and aspergillosis, as well as mold spores that are unhealthy for human lungs. Again, severe issues are rare, but those with compromised immune systems or allergies to mold should wear face masks when directly handling leaves.