America's Most Desperate Landscape 2010: Landscape Tips for Weekly Winner No. 1
The first weekly winner is Arlene Nappi of Port Richey, Florida. Jason Cameron shares 5 tips that will take this landscape out of the desperate column.
Tip No. 1: Install groundcover. With all the tree roots, grass is a lost cause. Remove any grass with a straight-edged spade; you won't need a sod cutter. Select plants that don't require much water. One good option: dwarf jasmine (Trachelospermum asiaticum).
Tip No. 2: Ditch the red mulch. Replace it with dark brown hardwood mulch or pine chips. This will create a more natural look and a sharper, cleaner contrast to the rest of the landscape.
Tip No. 3: Lower your under-window plantings. When you have plants in a high-profile spot, keep them under control. Prune the flowering shrubs to slightly below the windows. Elsewhere along the foundation, prune existing plants to a tidier shape or, if they're not doing well, replace.
Tip No. 4: Create a focal point. Place a large flower pot in the landscape bed to the right of the door, and plant with colorful annuals or tropical plants like bromeliads.
Tip No. 5: Redirect the lighting. Replace the landscape lighting with spot lighting that focuses on the door and a few favorite trees.
As a weekly winner, Arlene receives a $100 prize to spend on GardenFun.com.
Arlene Nappis right front yard
Next Up
America's Most Desperate Landscape 2010: Landscape Tips for Weekly Winner 4
The fourth weekly winner of America's Most Desperate Landscape 2010 is Gail Kirby, Bowling Green, KY. for her photos of a desperately bare front yard. Jason Cameron offers tips for giving this blank slate some curb appeal.
America's Most Desperate Landscape 2010: Landscape Tips for Weekly Winner 2
The second weekly winner is Melissa Cerrato of Kingston, Mass. for her video of a yard that's starkly bare and mostly sand. Jason Cameron offers tips for turning this sandpit into a beautiful front yard.
America's Most Desperate Landscape 2010: Landscape Tips for Weekly Winner 3
The third weekly winner is Michele Lewis of Hanover, NM, for her photos of a front yard that's nothing but bare dirt. Jason Cameron offers tips for turning this sad site into a beautiful front yard.
America's Most Desperate Landscape 2009
Desperate no more: The winners of the DIY Network's 2009 national contest received a simply stunning makeover.
Tips for Adding Front Yard Value
Neatly kept sod and plants, unique rock features, shade trees and the addition of a sprinkler system will build equity and savings for years to come.
Landscape Makeover for a Hilly Front Yard
Landscaping that accents the house and frames a front deck also reduces mowing on this steep yard.
Landscape Design Strategy: Control the Focal Points
A smart makeover focuses attention on the landscape's assets and hides its weaknesses.
Transforming a Desperate Landscape
See how a dead, brown yard was transformed into a beautifully landscaped space.
Landscape Makeover: From Desperate Yard to Picket-Pretty Curb Appeal
A neglected front yard gets a colorful transformation with a picket fence and dozens of new plants.
