Beginners luck: Inexperienced gardeners create beautiful yard

Originally published May 23, 2014 at 8:00 PM | Page modified May 24, 2014 at 8:16 AM

Tips for beginning gardeners

Do your homework. Read the description card that comes with each plant or research plants online, says Mary Kulseth, who learned this lesson the hard way. I didnt know that anemones could be so invasive, she says. It took me years to get rid of them.

Mulch a lot. I never liked the look of mulch, but now I swear by cypress mulch, she says. It keeps moisture in and looks nice and neat.

Start small and be flexible. If a plant doesnt work in one spot, try it in another, she says.

Plan ahead. Learn when plants bloom and coordinate plantings for all-summer-long color.

When in doubt, plant day lilies. They are so pretty and hardy, and come in so many colors, says Mary, who has 20 varieties. Strawberry Candy looks good enough to eat.

Consider investing in a watering system. Im glad we have a drip-irrigation system, she says.

Star Tribune (Minneapolis)

In 1999, when Mike and Mary Kulseth built their home in Andover, Minn., all they wanted for their yard was a carefree, low-maintenance landscape.

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Beginners luck: Inexperienced gardeners create beautiful yard