9 Inexpensive Ways to Improve Your Front Lawn and Landscaping.
Success Tip of the Week "Curb Appeal" from friend and garden expert, Ron Wilson.
Here are nine fairly inexpensive ways to improve your homes "Curb Appeal". It doesn't matter if you're planning on staying in your house for ever, or getting ready to put it in the market. A great investment in your house is landscaping when you're looking to increase your curb appeal. ~Rita
9 Easy Ways to Improve Your Lawn and Landscape for Optimal Sales Value - Thinking about selling your home? The Professional Landcare Network (PLANET) provides easy ways to increase curb appeal and interest in your home. "Curb appeal is extremely important, especially with the state of real estate sales in many markets today," states PLANET President Jim Martin, CLP. "If potential buyers won't even stop because your home lacks curb appeal, how do you expect to draw them inside or see the backyard?" Here are some inexpensive ways to improve your front lawn and landscape:
1. Create clean bed lines and mulch. Properly edged beds and new mulch will go a long way in improving the way your yard looks.
2. Plant new trees and shrubs. Replace any dead or dying trees or shrubs. Plant new trees and shrubs to create focus areas, camouflage foundations and old fencing, or unsightly views.
3. Have your trees and shrubs professionally pruned. Remember when your mom tried to cut your hair? Do-it-yourself pruning can result in disaster if you go shear happy. Professionals know what to cut and what time of the year is best to prune each plant.
4. Add color. A well-designed container at the front entry will add a burst of energy and warmth at your front door. A flowering plant around a curbside mailbox will give your yard a finished look. And you can always plant some bright colorful annuals into your beds.
5. Pay attention to your lawn. Mow, edge, and trim your lawn and get rid of the weeds. Purchase and install sod in areas where there are bald spots.
6. Power wash walkways, driveways, and front porches. Power wash those areas that have become tracked with dirt.
7. Paint the house foundation. A neutral colored paint will cover up outdoor dirt and scuffs and provide an attractive backdrop for foundation plantings.
8. Be proactive. With more than 30 million acres of lawns across the United States, PLANET reminds homeowners to proactively care for their landscapes and lawns. Have a landscape professional and/or lawn care specialist inventory your property. Professionals will be able to diagnose and treat conditions before they start.
9. In addition to the aesthetics, healthy lawns and landscapes provide environmental benefits. Lawns filter rainwater, as well as dust and dirt in the air. Plants help to purify the air. And, a well-landscaped, well-cared-for lawn can increase property values by as much as 15 percent.
PLANET is the association of members who create and
maintain the QUALITY OF LIFE in communities across America.
