How do i make my lawn and garden look nice?

Question

Hi we are renting a house and some of the plants that were already here are dieing and my fiance would like to plant diff ones and take care of them. also our grass is turning brown, what is the easiest way to get nice green grass, do we need a sprinkler? how do we maintain nice grass?

we have some weeds in pockets our lawn in the back i have photos here if u could help me...

*back lawn http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg162/nita20067/IMG00074.jpg

*plant thats died 1 http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg162/nita20067/IMG00071.jpg

*front lawn http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg162/nita20067/IMG00070.jpg

*Plant thats died 2 http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg162/nita20067/IMG00069.jpg

Plant what is this?

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg162/nita20067/IMG00068.jpg

if anyone can take the time to help me pplease do its so appreciated

Answer 1

Need sprinkler and hose and nozzle then fertilizer and then i buy the type that is for new lawns and apply it with a machine that they will let you use beause you bought the materials from them. The fertilizer is Scott's for new lawns....it will turn it green and not burn.........water it good . In the fall you can use 'weed and feed" and that will kill your weeds....but I wouldn't do it now, because of heat. Plants are just like us...they need water and food and nice care.......not to much hot sun........but heat is ok......loose soil. goog luck....looks like you have a lovely home......all the best. and have fun.

Answer 2

The lawn actually doesn't look too bad for this time of year.  The only problem I see could be corrected by some additional watering.

Going forward, you'll want to get on one of the 4-stage fertilizing systems.  Any home improvement store will have several systems.  Just fertilize four times per year the recommended cycle and you're set.

Those plants also look sun-scorched although they don't look dead.  My guess is there's too little soil there for those larger plants (along the brick side) and water is used up quickly.  Either water them more or use more drought resistant plants or even go to grass along the house.

The plant in the front can also be revived.  But I would make a more defined edge along the grass and perhaps mulch the area to hold in more water.

If you just don't like those plants, I'd remove them and start over.  You didn't say which region you live in but a local nursery will help you with something appropriate.

As far as your "what plant is this", I'm actually terrible at recognizing plants but I think yours looks like a common perennial in my area people refer to as Daylily (Hemerocallis fulva).  But I'm just guessing.

Good luck.