If you have a flower bed in your garden that is overgrown and more of an eye sore than anything else, it might be time to clear it out and make it part of your lawn. The reason for this is due to the fact that it helps to clear away something unsightly and allows for a more even lawn. There are a few things you need to know about clearing out an existing flower bed before you can expect grass to grow and expand in the area.

Why Clear an Old Flower Bed
One of the major reasons to clear an old flower bed is because it is currently overgrown and looking unsightly. The flower bed might be full of weeds and is more work than it is worth. It might also not be a suitable place for proper growth, and you might be finding that no matter what you're planting there, nothing is growing in the manner that it should. This is why it is important that you work to clear this area and get the lawn looking its best.

How to Totally Clear the Area
First, you'll need to clear away any debris or raised garden beds from the area. You want the area to be as flat as possible. Be sure to remove any and all weeds and flowers from the area, since these will continue growing back if you do not take the time to get rid of them. You should not use a weed killer in this case because it will kill the lawn along with any weeds and flowers in the area. Instead, take the time to carefully and manually remove any old plants from the area so that it is totally clear.

Putting New Dirt and Soil Down
In order for the grass to grow properly, you're going to need to put the right soil and dirt down. A mixture of lawn soil will do the trick in this case, and it will be ideal for allowing grass seed the chance to grow thoroughly. You can pick up this soil at virtually any garden supply store. You need to make sure that any mulch in the garden bed has been cleared away, as you only want soil down for the grass seed to grow in.

Planting Grass Seed and Fertilizing
Your next step is to purchase a high quality grass seed that you can use in the dirt itself. There are all types of grass seeds, so it can be confusing to know which one to buy and use. The best thing to do is to try to match the grass as closely to your existing lawn as possible. Put the seed down and water it thoroughly. From there, the grass should take about a month or two to start growing. You can also use a fertilizer in the process of the grass growing, so consider this as an option if you've been having issues with the grass seed taking sprout and growing.

Getting rid of an old and overgrown flower bed can help you to keep a well-maintained and organized lawn. One of the main issues homeowners have in terms of flower beds is getting rid of the existing plants. You should mulch and choose a soil that works best for grass rather than flowers. As long as all of this is done in the correct manner, you should be able to enjoy a lush and gorgeous lawn in no time at all and feel confident when it comes to getting a yard that looks amazing day in and day out.

Simple Guide to “Green” Lawn Care
Creating the perfect landscape and lush lawn is a goal for homeowners everywhere, and doing so in an environmentally friendly way is curtail to maintaining local eco-systems and water ways. The Environmental Protection Associates (EPA) has found that 5 percent of pollution in the US comes from toxic compounds released from mowers and other lawn care materials. Fortunately there are ways to help balance and reduce this environmental impact. Continue reading below for several simple tips on going green with lawn care.

Water Wisely
Cutting down on water use is one the best ways to go green with your lawn care. Pay attention to the weekly forecast and water accordingly. If you notice a rain storm later in the week, hold off from watering and let Mother Nature do it for you. Most grasses are resilient and will make it through a quick dry spell. Conserve water by collecting it in a rain barrels to use later, and make sure your gutters are clean so water can freely flow onto the lawn. If you live in a dryer area, opt for growing grass that like direct sun and can survive a drought.

Be Conscious When Fertilizing
Creating a compost pile is a great way to naturally fertilize your lawn. It provides grass with all the nutrients it needs to grow and stay healthy, and it can easily be made from materials in your own kitchen or yard waste. When using store bought fertilizer, choose one that is phosphorus-free as phosphorus can be dangerous to many eco-systems. Do not over apply fertilizer, and never apply when rain is expected for at least 24 hours. This will ensure it doesn’t get washed away and carried into local water way systems.

Use a Green Mower
While gas-powered mowers make life easier, they hurt the environment on several levels. The EPA has found that a gas-powered push mower emits as much hourly pollution as 11 cars. Riding mowers emit as much as 34 cars. Electric and push reel mowers make great environmentally friendly alternatives. These options tend to be less expensive and generally last longer as complex parts aren’t needed to make them.

Clean up Dos and Don’ts
It’s not uncommon to see people raking leaves off their lawn and removing grass clippings. However, leaves naturally decompose overtime and prevent erosion and run off. Grass clippings, being 90% water, transfer nutrients back into the lawn. When cleaning up, always be sure to pick up any spilled fertilizer and dispose of it properly. Dumping these waste products on the street or in gutters raises the risk of them ending up in local water ways and causing pollution.

Going green doesn’t mean that you’ll have to give up your lawn or time tending to it. It means that you’ll become more aware of your surroundings and find ways to use the environment near you to your advantage. Organic and environmentally conscious lawn care not only reduces your environmental footprint, but it also helps maintain a healthy landscape long-term.