Help! overgrown yard!

Try to conquesr section by section: start by pulling the weeds around the trees/bushes. Once you've cleared that, you can see how much trimming thetree and bush needs. You can also use some basic weed sprays. Slowly but surely is the key- Best of luck!!

When mine looks like its getting out of hand, I hire local guys to help weed and prune, and haul away the debri. I start with the rhodies cause thats what i have the most of, then I do the camelias, huckleberry bushes, then I do the fuschias, then I do the raking, then I do the fence line weed whacking and then the lawn. I start at door and work around the yard. I had tendonitis in both feet for a year, and its taking me awhile to get back to it myself.

My suggestion: Plum tree shoots are a hazard in themselves...they spread by the roots of the tree[s]; it's best to treat these 'sucker growth trees' by using an herbicide, it will kill the suckers back to the main root. If mole hills are a problem; tackle them by putting 2 leaves of 'Gopher Purge' into each mole hill [after you have opened it up so you can see the tunnel]& cover it up. Watch daily for new mounds or reappearance of the original ones & repeat the process...Moles don't like Gopher Purge & will leave. Lawns...weeds...there are many lawn/weed treatments out there that take care of weeds in lawns. Pruning trees...depending upon the size of the tree[s] can be done by a friend or neighbor or if you prefer by a professional...if the tree is short enough...prune it yourself...take your time & prune it the way you want it to be...the same with the bush...don't be afraid to prune it...but don't over do it either. Like these wise people have said: "Do one area at a time," because when you look at the whole picture...it can be overwhelming...look at one area at a time & attack it!

I also live in the country and empathize. Everyone is right about one thing at a time. I do however, try to do as much in the fall and winter as I can re the leaves and dead branches. Then in the spring, I fill in any holes with a commercial granular product like MoleMax or VoleMax, some cheap topsoil and grass seed as necessary. About every three years I use a weed and feed product if the weeds are out of control and reseed as necessary (make a note of what kind of grass seed you are using or you will get an undesirable patchwork effect). I use a commercial grade weed sacker-the cheap weekend warrior/electric models are worth what you pay for them. Re pruning, never be afraid but don't take more than a third of the overall bush-and google the type as some like to be pruned in the spring, some in the fall and yes, some in the winter while dormant. Azaleas for example can only be pruned right after bloom or they won't bloom the following year. Also if your property is over planted-don't be afraid to cull things you aren't wild about or that block sunlight. Sometimes less is more.

Work in sections at a time or hire help to make it go quicker. Then choose landscape materials that are easy to maintain.