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There are two main times of year to apply mulch: mid to late spring and late fall. Spreading mulch in mid to late spring helps protect new seedlings as the soil warms up. It's best to wait until temperatures are steady, as mulching too early in the spring can slow down the soil's warming process and hinder plant growth. Fall mulching is also beneficial, as it insulates the soil and helps regulate its temperature when the first frosts arrive.

Xeriscaped lawns are far more varied than many gardeners initially assume. The often-pictured rocky and cacti-filled landscapes are just one option. Many wildflower-, herb-, and mulch-covered landscapes follow the same principles without straying too far from the lush and colorful landscapes we have come to know. In fact, there are numerous xeriscape ideas for customizing an energy-efficient lawn to your liking.

While there are over 400,000 different flowering plants worldwide, there are five main types of flowers. These flower types are based on their lifecycles, giving each type a unique personality. These types are:

• Annuals, which complete their entire life cycle within a single growing season. 

• Perennials, which the tops die off in the winter but regrow in spring. 

• Biennials, which complete their entire life cycle within two years.

• Hybrids, which exhibit either annual or perennial behaviors depending on location

• Flowering shrubs, which are small to medium-sized perennial woody plants, such as shrubs or evergreens.

The best way to landscape your front yard on a budget is to invest in hiring a professional for hardscaping—things like upgrading walkways, redoing driveways, and installing partitions around garden beds. You can often do the softscaping yourself—think laying down mulch, caring for your lawn, removing weeds, and planting flowers and shrubs. It’s also almost always worthwhile to pay a professional for routine yard maintenance, as this dramatically improves curb appeal and delivers above 100% ROI in most cases.