You may feel as though you have tried everything to make your lawn and landscaping stay alive and look pretty. Don't give up hope yet! Read these lawn care and landscaping basics and your thumb should be turning green in no time!

• Stay away from "exotic" plant-life. In other words, take care in choosing plants, foliage, shrubs, trees, and other landscaping items that will thrive in your climate.

• Learn about each plant you are planning on using for your landscape project. Figure out if they are shade plants or need lots of sun. Do they need frequent watering, or is the occasional rain shower enough to keep the plants thriving? Leave some space around each plant to allow for growth.

• Healthy soil is very important. The right mix of minerals and nutrients in your soil is important for a healthy and beautiful landscape.

• Aerate (poke holes in your lawn), dethatch (remove dead grass), fertilize, and reseed to maintain a healthy and beautiful lawn.

• Keep your lawn a little on the long side to provide shade for the roots and help prevent them from drying out. Keep the blade at at least 3 inches high. This will also help prevent weeds from invading your lawn.

• Water your lawn in the morning hours and mow it at night.

Your lawn and landscaping can look good and you can make it happen. All it takes is a little lawn care and landscaping know-how.