Clearing an Overgrown Garden

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Clearing an overgrown garden can seem overwhelming with a bit of hard work and a good plan, you can transform an overgrown garden into a beautiful and welcoming space.

Did you buy a new house? Did an overgrown yard come with it? Or did last year have too much going on to keep up with garden maintenance? Sometimes the overwhelm can paralyze you so here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started.

an overgrown garden filled with weeds, free seeded flowers and clutter in need of clearing

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I do know how you feel, the year my dad died from leukemia my outdoor chores took a back seat so the following summer I had a very overgrown, unruly garden.

How did I do it without being a slave to the garden? Giving myself grace, I determined to return it to its former glory but decided to take it slow.

I won’t lie, it was a lot of work but I knew I could enjoy it by embracing the gradual process. 

Clearing an overgrown garden can seem like a daunting task, especially if the garden hasn’t been maintained for a while.

Keep in mind, you can change the state of your garden by focusing one small area at a time.

Even if you don’t have much time, you can get a sense of satisfaction along the way. This is important for keeping you motivated!

path to a bench in a cottage garden filled with flowers blooming

Assessing the Overgrown Garden

The first step is to take a good look at your overgrown garden to determine the best way to tackle it. Walk around and inspect the entire area to see how overgrown the plants, long grass, and flower beds are.

Look for valuable plants or garden features you want to keep and identify any dead plants that need removal. Don’t know a weed from a beautiful desirable plant? Ask a gardening friend and sometimes Google Lens can help identify a plant for you.

If the garden has unique features like a water fountain or a good focal point, note these down as well.

Keep a written list or use this Garden Journal to help.

Tools and Supplies

To tackle an overgrown garden, you’ll need the right tools. Here’s a list of items you may need: (most of these tools you should be able to find at your local hardware or home improvement stores)

Thick Gloves:

If clearing brambles, roses, poison oak, or ivy you will be glad you have these. There is nothing worse than a bad case of poison oak in the summer.

Be careful when removing clothing and gloves if you have gotten into these types of plants. The residue on them can give you a rash too.

Pruners:

A good sharp pair of pruners can make a huge difference. I have used many over the years and this is the best investment I have made. These pruners are easy on my hands but are pricy, if you need a budget pair I have found these to be effective too.

Hedge Shears:

You can buy these in a power version but I have found the manual ones to work well enough. These hedge shears may be available at your local hardware store or you can get them here.

Loppers:

Loppers are handy for cutting through branches, larger rose canes, and thick-stemmed spiky weeds.

Padded Kneeling Mat or Bench:

I have both but I use the bench a lot. Having the handles on each side helps me to get up and down easier and the pouch holding the tools is very convenient too.

Garden Shovel or Spade:

I have used many types of shovels but this one called Rootslayer has been a game-changer when digging in tough spots. I found mine at Tractor Supply but they have it on Amazon too.

Rake:

A steel rake and a leaf rake will be handy for pulling all the debris into a pile to be disposed of.

Wheelbarrow or Garden Cart:

Disposing of the debris as you go can go far in helping you see progress. Having something handy to haul it to your disposal site is essential. I have a wheelbarrow but my go-to is a Gorilla Cart.

Compost as much of the debris as you can. Here I shared how to build your own compost bin.

Lawn mower:

If you have a large grassy area a lawn mower is handy to cut it down, even weeds mowed down can be much nicer looking until you get to clearing them out. I only have a push manual mower so I depend on a string trimmer.

String Trimmer:

This is my go-to for so much and can be such a handy tool to have on hand. I have a battery-operated Ryobi from Home Depot. It gets the job done without smelly fumes or loud noise, and the battery runs out before my back does.

I started buying Ryobi tools years ago as the battery fits all the tools and I didn’t have to buy a different battery for each. I have noted that now other tool manufacturers have started to do the same.

Related: See how I cheated when things got away from me

It’s also a good idea to have some protective gear like a hat, long sleeves, and heavy-duty or denim pants. (you really don’t want to get poison oak or ivy on bare legs)

Is this a new home? Did you inherit a lot of unwanted plants from the previous owner?

If your garden has many unwanted, pervasive, or invasive plants, you might also need weed killer (more on this later).

Step-by-Step Clearing Process

1. Remove Large Debris

Start by clearing away large debris such as fallen branches, rocks, and other big objects.

This will give you a clearer view of the overgrown plants and flower beds. (though rocks in the garden are not always a bad thing)

Is this more than you can handle? Ask friends and family for a bit of help or there are Facebook and neighborhood groups that people post on when they are looking for handyman-type jobs to do. 

If you have the means you can hire a landscape company to do the work for you but I am primarily writing this for us folks who don’t have that kind of cash handy.

2. Tackle Weeds and Invasive Plants

The next step is to remove the weeds and invasive plants. When you have little time eyeing a 3′ by 3′ area at a time can make it less daunting. Pull out (dig out) as many as you can by hand.

For larger or stubborn weeds, use a shovel/spade. Dig out as much root as you can. This will go far in those weeds not returning.

You can use a weed killer. (I am not a big fan of chemical weed killers but using them properly when you need to get rid of an invasive plant is not going to ruin your garden, still proceed with caution and follow the directions on the packaging.)  

Make sure to dispose of these plants properly to prevent them from growing back. Watch for new growth and dig out immediately, weed seeds can lay dormant until they get the conditions they want to germinate. (fair warning)

How to Weed a Garden

3. Prune Overgrown Shrubs and Trees

Use your hedge trimmer, loppers, and pruners to cut back overgrown shrubs and trees. Trim them to a manageable size, but be careful not to cut too much.  This will help you open up the space and make the garden look tidier.

Rejuvenation pruning can make all the difference and instead of a mangy mess the trees or shrubs will become a great asset in your garden.

Here is a rule of thumb to think about; pruning in summer will control growth and size and is more for shaping and not about heavy pruning.

Try not to prune in late summer. Though pruning out diseased or dead branches can be done at any time.

Winter pruning is when you do a heavier prune so if a tree or shrub is healthy give it a light trim in summer and wait for winter to hack it back further, if needed.

If dead trees are a hazard remove them. If they are not a hazard then think outside the box.

I have a rosarian friend who used dead trees as a trellis for climbing roses and they turned out to be gorgeous. 

Rose Garden Tour for Inspiration and Ideas

I shared it in my Rose Garden Garden tour on YouTube. 

4. Ground Cover and Mulch

If an area you want to switch up has old mulch or ground cover remove it and put it aside to use again or you can use it elsewhere. Ground covers make a great replacement for mulch in parts of the garden so transplant it if it is something you like or gift it to someone if it isn’t.

19 Beautiful Groundcovers You Can Use Instead of Mulch

easy to grow & Save $$$!

With mulch try not to use the colored types, the dye is not good for the soil though it can be nice and dramatic looking in the garden. 

This pathway bark makes a perfect mulch. The smaller particle size makes it easier for me to spread and I prefer the look.

Soil Preparation and Amendment

Once the unwanted plants and debris are cleared, it’s time to prepare the soil.

Add compost or organic matter to improve soil quality. This will create a healthy environment for your new plants.

Just because a garden was let go does not mean the soil under all the overgrowth is bad. But adding amendments is a great way to refresh and help keep building the soil at any time. 

Save Money on Fertilizers, Feed the Soil Instead!

Planning and Replanting

Decide on a new layout for your garden. Think about where you want to place new plants and flower beds. Early spring is the best time to start planting, as the weather is cool and plants can establish roots. Choose plants that are suitable for your climate and soil.

Fall can be a great time to plant hardier perennials or you can plant seeds.

One good way to find what thrives in your area is to visit gardening friends or public gardens near you to see what is growing well. A good local nursery with knowledgeable staff can be a wonderful resource.

Related: 20 Cottage Flowers That Reseed Themselves

Mulching and Maintenance

Apply a layer of mulch around your new plants. (remember the mulch you removed, now you can use it again) Mulching helps retain moisture, prevents weeds, and keeps the soil healthy. (we are talking natural undyed mulches, not the rubber or fake stuff)

15+ Types of Mulch to Boost Garden Health

Regular maintenance is key to keeping your garden looking good, and manageable for you. Set a schedule for weeding, pruning, and watering.

Keeping to a decent schedule also helps reduce the work needed for the garden in the long run. 

Remember, these are principles and not rules, no one will hold your feet to the fire if you miss a week or two. Remember if you wait too long between garden chores, you will have a little more to do once you get to it.

Installing a drip system has helped reduce the workload for me of moving sprinklers or hand watering and the plants are happier with the consistent moisture. We don’t get summer rains so this type of watering is key in my garden.

Final Touches

Add some finishing touches to your garden, like decorations, garden furniture, solar lighting, or pathways. If you have open areas, consider placing a new focal point or water feature. These small additions can make a big difference.

Think outside the box and check out second-hand or thrift stores.

Watch Me Do It in 30 Minutes!

Woman in a garden hat looking at an overgrown garden ready to clear it. Text overlay reads: from drab to fab! flower patch farmhouse dot com

Conclusion

Clearing an overgrown garden takes time and effort, but the results are worth it. By following these steps, you can turn an overgrown garden, yard, or lawn into a beautiful garden space.

Once you have it cleared you are ready to start a fresh new garden! Regular maintenance will keep it looking great year-round.

Happy Gardening

Hi, I’m Pamela

I am a 40-year gardening enthusiast who loves to share the simple tips, tricks, and inspiration I have learned from personal experience.
My goal is to cultivate the love of gardening and help make your gardening life more enjoyable!
a Garden Friend!

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