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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.

Foxtail grass is not native to the United States, so it is considered an invasive plant. Giant foxtail originated in eastern Asia, Green foxtail is native to Europe, and Yellow foxtail is native to Eurasia. This grass variety is one of many common invasive plant species that you should keep out of your yard and garden beds as much as possible.

The fastest way to rid your yard of pesky stickers or burs is to go mechanical on them with a lawn mower or garden rake. Use a lawnmower with a bagger attachment to avoid spreading the seeds around and causing a bigger issue. If you choose to rake the stickers off the plants, be sure to dispose of them properly. Avoid putting them in with the composting and check local guidelines for disposing of lawn waste.

Depending on the method you choose to remove grass, it may or may not matter whether the grass is wet or dry when you perform the task. A dryer lawn will be easier to negotiate with a sod cutter, especially if you're not planning to reuse the turf. However, using a shovel by hand might be a little easier if the ground is slightly damp but not so much that it sticks to the tool.