I just moved into a rental house and the flower beds are pretty bad. I need a cheap solution which preferably does not involved plants or flowers, as I don’t want to have to maintain them, to make the front of my house presentable. Any ideas? -Mike

The easiest way to make your flower beds look nice and neat, without even needing plants, is with mulch. First pull out any weeds, grass, or brush. Then put down some landscape fabric or plastic, to keep weeds from sprouting.

Finally, put down a thick layer of the mulch of your choice. You’ll be amazed how it makes an area look “tended.”

For a little color with minimal maintenance, you might want to tuck a few containers into the area, planted with either flowering annuals or small shrubs. But Mike, don’t overestimate the amount of maintenance needed for some plants.

Rather than the fabric and mulch, you can toss out a packet of zinnia, cosmos, or other seeds in the spring for a lush, colorful summer garden that needs nothing more than a little water.

Julie

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Danny Lipford

Danny Lipford

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Danny Lipford is a home improvement expert and television personality who started his remodeling business, Lipford Construction, at the age of 21 in Mobile, Alabama. He gained national recognition as the host of the nationally syndicated television show, Today's Homeowner with Danny Lipford, which started as a small cable show in Mobile. Danny's expertise in home improvement has also led him to be a contributor to popular magazines and websites and the go-to source for advice on everything related to the home. He has made over 200 national television appearances and served as the home improvement expert for CBS's The Early Show and The Weather Channel for over a decade. Danny is also the founder of 3 Echoes Content Studio, TodaysHomeowner.com, and Checking In With Chelsea, a décor and lifestyle blog.

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