Avant Yard: 20 front yard Don'ts, part 2

2. Mass-manufactured yard signs. The folksy signs saying "Welcome" or "Our Home." They're made to look hand-made, but they come from a factory in China. Now, I'll admit, I'm tempted: they can be cute. But why-oh-why not just make your own welcome sign? Sigh.

I make an exception for seasonal holiday signs -- those for Christmas, Halloween and the like. Those, I have a total weakness for!

3. Plastic toys. Please. I am begging you. Keep the tricycles, strollers, and fading plastic play sets in the back yard.

Yes, kids can play out front with their toys. (What kind of a Grinch do you think I am?!) Just don't store this stuff permanently out front. Exemptions: those of us with a corner lot, or no back yard.

4. Furniture. Two types of furniture should never be displayed in your front yard. Number 1: upholstered indoor furniture that's seen better days. You may think you look like this. You will actually look more like this. Number 2: those ubiquitous cheapo plastic chairs, especially any that are old and faded.

5. Trash. Unless it's within 24 hours of trash collection day, please keep your junk from out front. Cardboard boxes, unwanted appliances, overflowing trash bins. Ugh.

6. Old cars or trucks. Sitting. Rusting. Either you're actively engaged in getting that old Ford roadworthy again -- or you're not. Please, for the sake of your neighbors and your property values, get it towed.

7. Bagged leaves. For many (dare I say, most?) homeowners, leaves are something you bag and toss at the street for trash collection. What a waste of plastic! What a waste of free mulch or compost material! Plus, it's a major eyesore out at the curb. It breaks my heart.

Instead of bagging your leaves, why not: a) rake them into the garden for mulch, b) add them to your compost heap, or c) pile them up and let them slowly turn into leaf mold.

8. Sheared hedges. Put down the electric hedge trimmer, dude, and back away slowly. Some homeowners consider the hedge trimmer an indispensable gardening tool, but what they're actually doing is progressively killing their shrubs and/or hedges. With constant shearing, the plants get thinner, scragglier, and uglier. Learn to prune shrubs properly, and shear lightly, on an occasional basis only -- if at all.

9. Ultra-short lawns. Fight the temptation to mow your lawn super-short. You may not have to mow quite as often, but shorter lawns are at greater risk for dehydration and disease. About the only time I ever see a horrible, yellowing lawn around here is when I spot one that's been "buzz cut." Set your lawn mower on a higher setting. It will be healthier and noticeably pretty and green viewed from the street.

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