We all know the expression “don’t judge a book by its cover.” Unfortunately, that doesn’t really apply to a home’s exterior and landscaping. Whether you’re thinking of selling this spring or several years from now, buyers will always be more likely to schedule a showing and pay top dollar if the view from the street showcases a well-maintained home with good curb appeal. Here are our favorite tips for sprucing up the exterior of your home:
1. Add Flower Boxes or Potted Plants.
Attach garden boxes to front-facing windows or potted plants to the porch and fill them with perennials so you can enjoy coming home to fresh blooms. For the colder months, consider clippings or boughs of evergreens, pinecones, branches or poinsettias.
2. Replace Old Hardware.
House numbers, the entry door lockset, and light fixtures are all elements that can add style and interest to your home’s exterior curb appeal. However, if they’re dingy or need to be updated, your home may not convey the aesthetic you think it does.
3. Refresh the Mailbox.
A streetside mailbox is one of the first things people see when driving up to your home, and one that’s old or broken is an instant eyesore. Revive it with a fresh coat of paint, or replace it with a newer model that complements your home’s style and color palette.
4. Renew Planter Beds.
Get garden beds into shape by pruning growth, pulling weeds, and planting flowers. Add new mulch to restore color faded by sunlight and harsh weather, and reset any dislodged border pieces.
5. Update Siding, Shutters, Doors and Trim.
An exterior update to the painted surfaces on the exterior automatically transforms the look of a home. Any apparent defects, such as cracked or rotting material, can downgrade the aesthetic and quickly turn away potential home buyers.
However beautiful your flower beds or perfect your shutter and door colors, most buyers won’t be able to look past the eyesore of a brown lawn overcome with weeds. We’ve asked our friends and lawncare experts at Oasis Turf & Tree to weigh in on this important aspect of outdoor maintenance by answering some frequently asked questions:
What lawn care services should I have performed just once or twice annually versus on a more regular basis?
While lawn treatments, like fertilizer and weed control, are recommended on a regular schedule, there are beneficial services like aeration and overseeding that are recommended on an annual basis. These services are generally performed in the early fall for the best results.
Is there a point in the season when my lawn is a “lost cause” and I should just wait to try to do anything about it until next year?
Sometimes when you look at your lawn you think “this is a bigger project than I am ready for this season.” The important thing to remember is that getting your lawn in shape is a process and will take time. The sooner you start regular treatments to replenish crucial nutrients and treat the weeds, the sooner things will take a turn for the better.
Will my lawn need the same treatments every year or will it changeover time?
Normal lawn health care applications like fertilization and weed control are something that your lawn will need season after season. The nutrients your lawn requires to maintain its health and color do not change over time. Additional services like aeration and overseeding are done on an as-needed basis to help aid in the thickness of the turf.
What lawn care tasks can I handle on my own, and which should I outsource for professional help?
We generally see homeowners take on tasks like mowing the lawn and general landscaping themselves. When it comes to applying the correct products at the most effective times of year, it is recommended to contact a professional. This takes the guesswork out of selecting the correct products and deciding when they need to be applied. A quality lawn care professional should be able to give you recommendations about cultural practices. At Oasis Turf & Tree, we will help give you advice on the tasks that you have decided to take on yourself.
I just purchased my home. Should I leave the lawn for the first season or so to see how it is and just troubleshoot any problems if/as they arise, or are there preventative treatments that can be done to avoid issues before they occur?
The sooner you start taking care of your lawn and tackling the problems that you see, the sooner they will be fixed. Often times, reacting to problems as they arise instead of preventatively treating them, the more severe they can become. Preventative treatments like preemergent for crabgrass, preventative grub control, and surface feeding insect controls will all help get ahead of problems before they arise.
How soon after new sod is laid can I begin lawn treatments?
After sod is laid it is important to allow the new root structure time to develop. It is recommended to wait for lawn treatments for 6-8 weeks.
Advertorial originally appeared in February 2024