Teri Dunn Chace

If you want to refresh and beautify your yard but you aren’t sure how to begin, “think broadly,” advises gardening expert Teri Dunn Chace. “Landscaping involves more than plants—it’s also context.” Try some or all of the following practical ideas to make a change for the better. In the process, you’re sure to create curb appeal and raise your property value. 1. Start with a plan Assess your yard first.

Whether you’re a busy person or just want a lot of bang for your gardening buck, long-lasting perennials are a smart garden investment. Unlike annuals (which have to be purchased afresh every year), perennial flowers are left to grow in place, get bigger, look better and bloom more generously year after year.

Weeds can interfere with the best-laid garden and landscaping plans. Gardening expert Teri Dunn Chace offers some economical and effective ways to combat these unwanted invaders, plus important safety tips. Know thy enemy. Don’t spray when you don’t know what you’re dealing with. Identifying specific weeds isn’t difficult. Try a plant-ID app such as Pl@ntNet, iNaturalist or PlantSnap. Or show some samples to a landscaper, gardening neighbor or garden-center staffer.