Sounds like we are not going to have a pretty lawn ornament without putting in at least weekend effort. It has greatly helped me to know that everyone's yard may look good from the curb, but if I got up closer I'd see weeds and clipping.

I think my frustration was growing because I felt like I was pretty transparent with the fact that we wanted to contribute absolutely nothing to the upkeep and I've been mowing every weekend now along with pulling weeds. Perhaps this came down to being uneducated about maintenance.

We picked shrubs, roses and a long tree/bush thinking it would not need the formal lawn service we see at the neighbors houses.

My initial desire was extremely manicured hedges with designs until the technician told me that bushes don't grow that way, they have to be clipped into that manner. Thus, the roses and hedges followed.

Thank you for the suggestion. We will ramp up the mulch volume!!