LKR Agent guest post by Verne Folkmann
This is perhaps the best time of year to enjoy your landscape. The hostas emerge, robins and cardinals abound, and bright annuals promise summer color. It’s undeniable—your home looks and feels so much fresher. Improving and maintaining your yard and garden is a great way to add value, including the intangible value of your own enjoyment. And improvements will lure potential buyers when it’s time to sell.
Ready to dig in? You’ll need to consider not just what to plant, but where to plant it and how to care for it.
Here are my top tips for planting curb appeal:
1. Smart Spacing
When placing shrubs and trees, think about their mature size. They should bring balance to the front of your home. Trees too close to the house could leave you with foundation or sewer problems. Shrubs shouldn’t be touching your home’s siding or blocking windows; they are there to accent the building, not shield it from view.
2. Steps and Stones
Complement your plantings with some well-done hardscaping and you’ll add a lot of curb appeal. You don’t have to put in a whole patio—tidy edging, stone surrounds under trees, or crisp brick steps all bring a boost.
3. Success through the Seasons
Layering shrubs, perennials, and annuals will give you year-round color and texture. Include a few evergreen shrubs or other plants with fall and winter interest. (Ask at the garden center if you aren’t sure which plants will work on your site.) Perennials come back year after year with little maintenance, and annuals will carry color through the summer.
4. Sprucing Up
When it’s time to put your home on the market, consider hiring a lawn treatment service to get the grass as lush as possible. Trim or remove shrubs with dead spots or winter burn—a sick looking plant is worse than no plant! Make sure there are no weeds in the beds, no exposed landscape fabric, and, of course, no broken planters or bent hooks. Finally, fresh mulch is a must.
These simple steps will ensure you have a landscape you’ll enjoy, and a property with popular appeal. Happy gardening!
Verne Folkmann, | REALTOR®
