It’s really easy for a backyard to seem overgrown, and when it’s in this state, it can be overwhelming to even think about making it look neat and orderly again. It could be that you’ve recently moved into a house and the previous owner left their backyard to grow wild, or even if you’ve owned your home for a while, you might not have had a chance to sort it out.

In any case, an overgrown backyard doesn’t need to be as big a job to sort out as you might think. You can reclaim your space and make it usable again, as long as you have a plan of action.

Oversized or Dead Trees

It makes sense to start with the bigger projects and work from there. If you have trees on your land, it’s important to think about what you want to do with them. Depending on where you live and the types of trees you have in your backyard, you may need to ask for permission to get them cut down.

Dead trees or trees that are too close to the structure of your home may need to be cut down and removed entirely, as they can be unsafe. Otherwise, overgrown trees that you want to keep should be trimmed back and pruned so they can grow more healthily in the future.

Always use a tree service company to chop down and trim larger trees, as they have the appropriate training and equipment to do it safely.

Cutting Grass, Shrubs, and Weeds

If you have a lot of tall grass and shrubs, you should try to cut them back as much as possible. The chances are that this won’t look good to start with, but it’s important to clear away overgrowth. 

Remove weeds entirely by digging them up, and do the same with other unwanted plants. You can use a strimmer to cut long grass, and it might be necessary to get a machete or other tools for branchy plants that you’re trying to cut back.

Clearing Debris

As well as cutting your plants and trees back to make them neater, you should get rid of debris in your backyard. Large debris and trash can be removed from the start of the project to get it out of the way, but some smaller bits and pieces can be hidden underneath overgrown plants. Always be careful when cutting back plants in case something unexpected is underneath the branches.

Garden Waste and Trash

After you’ve done all of this chopping, trimming, and clearing, the chances are that you’re going to have a lot of waste leftover. There are a few things you can do with it.

With trash and debris, it’s best to add it to your general trash can. If there’s a lot of it, you can hire a dumpster to get rid of it.

If you’ve chopped down trees and you have a fireplace, you can keep the wood and turn it into firewood, but make sure it’s safe to burn and give it a couple of years to season. Other garden waste can be composted in your own backyard, or it can be collected. 

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