Timesaving Tips:

Use a peat moss-based potting soil in containers. Unlike top soil or the soil in your yard, they are pre-mixed with proper amounts of peat moss and other important nutrients.

Start Small. Don't feel like you have to tackle the whole yard at once. Think of it as work in progress, devoting a few hours each weekend to lawn and garden projects. For example, prepare the soil the first weekend and plant flowers or vegetables the next weekend.

Eliminate Weeds Before Planting. This will give new plants a better chance for healthy growth right from the start. While you're at it, condition the soil to make future weeding easier.

Healthy soil is the first step. Healthy soil is like an immune system. It keeps plants strong so they're better able to ward off pests and diseases. To properly amend the soil, work 2 inches of sphagnum peat moss into the top 6 inches of soil before planting.

Mowing made easy. Cut mowing time by reducing the area that is grass. Low maintenance alternatives? Try ground cover, rock garden or flower bed.

Easy color. If you're not ready for a flower garden but would like to try your hand at more than a house plant, consider container gardening. Container gardens are a great alternative for colorful blooms and require less maintenance than an extensive flower bed.

Colorful, Easy-Care Choices: Tip: to avoid over-watering, set a coffee can or container in the section being watered. When the water level reaches the 1-inch mark, you've adequately watered the area.

Yardner Flowers

Great for the beginner or people pressed for time, these plants will beautify your yard and they require less maintenance that other varieties:

Made in the shade. Begonias, impatiens, pansies and hostas are successful in shade or moderate sunlight.

Sun lovers. Plants that thrive in bright sunlight include marigolds, geraniums, petunias, zinnias and snapdragons. Most vegetable and herbs also prefer bright sunlight.

Extremely forgiving. Evergreens such as juniper and arborvitae are lovely year-round and need little care and attention. Ground covers are a great alternative for "problem areas" and grow well in unsightly spots or sloped sections where it's difficult to create flower beds. Try English ivy and snow-on-the-mountain.

When selecting flowers, keep in mind that you'll have to choose between:

Annuals: These bloom all summer long but must be replanted each year. They work especially well in beds, hanging baskets or container gardens: and

Perennials: These bloom for a shorter amount of time but return each year. They are generally planted as colorful borders along the house, driveway or lawn, or around a tree base.

A Guide For All Seasons

Spring. After a long winter indoors, most of us are ready to dig in when warm weather arrives. Before you get started, remember: Healthy soil is the key to lawn and garden success. Just follow this handy checklist:

• Condition your lawn. Begin by aerating your lawn to allow air and water to reach grass roots. Rent a power aerator or hire a local lawn care specialist to aerate for you. Then spread 1/4 inch of Sphagnum peat moss across the lawn (a process known as top dressing).
• Fix bare spots on your lawn. Repair those problem areas and condition the soil by working 2 inches of peat moss into the top 6 inches of soil. Spread grass seed and cover it with a 1/4-inch layer of peat moss. Keep the area moist. You'll soon notice new growth.
• Plant colorful blooms. A few weeks before planting flowers, prepare the soil by working 2 inches of peat moss into the top 6 inches of soil.

Summer. Summer is the time to show off your hard work. Plan to spend a couple of hours per week on simple upkeep and maintenance to keep your lawn and garden looking its best. Mow and edge weekly, and remember to keep the lawn and garden properly watered.

Fall. Fall is the time to winterize your yard and plant bulbs for early spring blooms. These fall projects will save you time and effort later:

• Plant bulbs. Tulips, irises and other bulbs are the first flowers to bloom in spring, and they must be planted in the fall. Most need to be planted 8 inches deep, so dig about 10 inches deep when working peat moss into the soil.
• Condition the soil now, instead of spring. At a minimum, top dress the lawn and repair bare spots to make more time for other projects when spring arrives.
• Make room for new growth. Remove all dead plants and roots from your flower beds and garden. While you're at it, work 1 to 2 inches of peat moss into the soil to promote healthy plant growth next spring.

Winter. Winter is the time to kick back and relax. Remember, if you take the time to winterize your lawn and garden this fall, you'll be ahead of the game when spring arrives.