A Guide to Recovering an Overgrown Garden

01What is the best way to repair an overgrown garden?

02Garden expert for the Associated Press, Jessica Damiano, believes she knows the answer.

03Here are some of her suggestions for making big improvements.

04Planning in the autumn and winter months can help you see something more beautiful next winter.

05First, take a notebook with you and walk around the garden.

06Look carefully at each part.

07Try to decide which plants can be saved, which to throw away, and which ones require attention.

08Make a list as soon as you can.

09Dead plants, weeds, and invasive plants should be first to go.

10If the weather permits, dig them out, removing as much of their root systems as possible.

11Otherwise, wait until spring to do this before planting.

12Next, remove and give away healthy plants that you do not want.

13Online groups and neighborhood webpages are places to find people to receive the plants.

14Many people will even be willing to do the digging if it means getting a free plant.

15If the garden is full of plants, shrubs, trees, and vines that have grown wild, you might need to use a chainsaw or heavy machine.

16If there are a lot of weeds, or if you want to create new garden beds, you can cover the existing vegetation rather than dig it up.

17Decide the size and shape of the area you want to make into a new bed.

18Cover that area with cardboard or lots of newspaper.

19Put about 7 cm of compost and 5 cm of mulch on top of it.

20You can start in the autumn and leave it there over the winter until planting time in the spring.

21When it is time to plant, cut holes in the cardboard or paper big enough for the roots of your plants.

22The covering over the ground will keep most weeds from growing.

23Some weeds may break through and require pulling or more cardboard, Damiano said.

24Healthy or overgrown or unproductive deciduous shrubs can be brought back to life by pruning.

25Deciduous means that the plants lose their leaves during the winter season.

26The best time to prune many plants is when their branches are bare in late winter.

27Choosing a pruning method will require weighing appearance against the time it will take to recover.

28The fastest and most severe method would be to cut the whole plant down just above ground level.

29Although extreme, many shrubs can deal with this form of pruning and will bounce back stronger.

30If keeping the plant looking normal is important, prune each branch or stem individually at uneven heights.

31It is also possible to cut back one-third of the plant's branches each year for three years.

32That method would have the least severe effect, but requires the most patience.

33Evergreen trees and shrubs should only undergo light pruning, such as the shortening of individual branches.

34Take care to avoid pruning too much or creating holes in evergreen plants and trees.

35With the exception of yews, they do not regrow from such damage.

36Now that you have taken care of pruning, turn your attention to the soil.

37Test the soil's pH or its acidity level.

38Test kits are available at local garden stores and online.

39In the United States, a cooperative extension service might provide soil testing and soil amendment advice for a small cost.

40Cooperative extension services are part of a Department of Agriculture system that includes some universities.

41It aims to help farmers and people interested in plants.

42If the soil is hard, break it up with a machine or hand tools.

43Finally, spread 5 to 7 centimeters of compost over the area.

44As it breaks down, nutrients will work their way into the soil.

45After completing these steps, it will be time to plant your new garden.

46Choose new trees, shrubs, or perennials that will not grow wildly.

47Dig holes as deep as their roots, but two times as wide, and space them out to their expected full-grown sizes.

48Native plants are good because they need little added water or special care.

49Plant ground cover.

50Short, spreading plants.

51To cover the ground and keep weeds from growing, and the soil from drying out.

52It might take one or two years, but a step-by-step approach will make gardening a joy again.

53And, perhaps best of all, you will see something beautiful when you look outside from your home.

54I'm Jill Robbins.

55I'm Jill Robbins.