Curb Appeal: Tips for Making Your Lawn
and Garden Stand Out
By Guest Blogger: Maria Cannon
Curb appeal depends on more than a well-presented exterior and a smart looking mailbox. People driving by are just as impressed, or unimpressed, by the state of your lawn. A healthy stand of grass, well-pruned bushes and a splash of colorful flowers are an essential part of an overall picture that impresses prospective home buyers, neighbors and passers-by. That’s why springtime lawn and garden maintenance is so important, and why you need to know which jobs are “do-it-yourselfers,” and which ones are better left to the professionals.
It may be cold and wet now, but as you while away the frigid winter months, start planning and preparing for yard and garden upkeep. As you do, bear in mind the following tips for making your home look its best this spring.
DIY or DRI
It’s pretty easy to separate DIY tasks from “DRI” (don’t risk it) jobs. Most homeowners can handle basic maintenance such as fertilizing, mowing, mulching and composting. If your plans for this year include adding a water feature or doing some hardscaping, you might want to look into hiring a professional landscaping company, especially if your skills, experience and time are limited.
Fertilizing
Fertilization is the building block of any attractive lawn. To grow a healthy and lush yard, one that’s free of weeds and bare spots, go with a nitrogen-based fertilizer (be careful to match the amount of nitrogen with the type of grass in your lawn). Some people like to fertilize liberally in order to get a rich, thick carpet of green that turns heads and makes others wish their lawn looked like yours.Other homeowners take a more limited approach to fertilizing, not wanting to overdo it and deal with fast-growing grass they’ll have to mow a lot well into the fall.
A rotary or broadcast spreader is effective for big lawns; a drop spreader should suffice if yours is on the small side. Start around the edges and work your way inward, doing a strip at a time as you move back and forth.
Clear it away
Winter always leaves behind a vestige of its capacity for lawn destruction. Fallen branches, lawn debris and out-of-control brush represent a big clearing job, but it’s got to be done if you want your lawn and garden to have that “look-at-me” appeal. It’s also a good idea to cut away any loose-hanging limbs that might fall and damage your garden, not to mention your house (or you!). A chainsaw is your best friend if you have a big lawn to clear up. Don’t forget to have yours checked out thoroughly before you fire it up for the first time. If you’ve never used a chainsaw, consider hiring someone who’s more experienced to handle the job for you.
Mulching
Commercial mulch comes in different colors, which can be used to accent your lawn. And it can get a little pricey, especially if you have a lot of space to cover. A colorful hardwood mulch costs an average of $30 to $40 per yard, according to Home Advisor. But it’s an attractive way to accent trees, flower and garden beds, and to cover topsoil. Be careful not to smother small trees with so much mulch that roots can’t get enough moisture.
Lawn mower maintenance
Many homeowners stroll out to the garage or shed assuming the lawn mower will start up and run just fine the very first time, only to be disappointed. Your local hardware store can help with basic maintenance, and prepare your mower for the growing season. Make sure the blades are sharp. Dull lawn mower blades tear the top off blades of grass, leaving jagged edges that invite plant viruses, molds and insect infestations. However with sharp blades, the cut will be cleaner which allows grass to heal quickly enough to prevent most adverse effects.
Most lawn and garden maintenance can easily be done by anyone. Remember that more ambitious jobs, like complicated decorating or hardscaping, are probably best left to the pros. You’ll have enough on your hands maintaining curb appeal.
Courtesy of Pixabay.com.
