A few bucks and a weekend or two of fun in the sun and you can easily improve your yard’s appearance and make it greener and in a “greener” way as well. You may want to rethink what it takes to make your yard more welcoming, because it really doesn't take as much work as you might think.

You can make the most impact in your yard by cleaning up what exists. It will take a bit of time, but it doesn't have to cost a lot. Pruning and trimming will make the biggest difference. Shrubs and trees need regular maintenance and with a little trimming and thinning – nature will do the rest. Weeding and turning the soil in planters will also have a major impact on the appearance and health of your yard.

Electric hedge trimmers and electric leaf blowers are fast and efficient, but they are noisy and they cost money to operate and maintain. Be greener than ever as you green up your garden and landscape. Use hand pruning shears, rakes, brooms, shovels and other hand tools rather than electric or gas powered equipment. You will get a better job and your neighbors will appreciate the quiet. A hand lawnmower is a great alternative to an expensive treadmill and other gym equipment. And the end result is equally beautiful.

Most of us have a tendency to over water. It is wise to find out exactly what a plant needs and feed and water it properly. Overwatering is costly and can actually slow down plant growth. In some cases overwatering can kill a plant.

Use your garden to grow veggies – and if you have the room – fruit is a good idea too. There isn’t a place in the US where fruit and veggies can’t be grown for at least part of the year. We have tomatoes and squash growing this very minute. Most of the time we find ourselves sharing with our family, because we have so much bounty.

And don’t forget composting. It’s easy to create a compost pile and it doesn’t take much room. Simply gather leaves and other dead organic matter (fruit and veggie scraps, etc.) from your home and yard. Mix it all up and let it bake in the hot summer sun. After a few weeks, mix it up again. You can use a shovel, a garden rake, or a pitch fork. When the soil is dark and moist it is ready for spreading over existing flower beds and for new plantings. Compost provides beneficial nutrients to plants, and you win by avoiding harmful chemical fertilizers.