Spring Landscaping To Enhance Curb Appeal
Spring is the ideal time to revamp the curb appeal of your home. Whether you’re thinking of selling your home or just want to tidy things up after the long winter months, here are some lawn & landscaping tasks that can bring the outside of your residence back to life after the chilliest months of the year.
Spruce Up The Lawn and Landscaping
- Over-seed any bald patches on your lawn.
- Tip: Apply nitrogen fertilizer to give your grass a boost.
- Sew fresh lawn seeds every 3-5 years. Prepare your lawn by raking it to clear out dead grass. This will allow fertilizer and seed to penetrate easily.
- If your yard has a lot of tree cover, try a shade-tolerance seed mix.
- If your lawn gets a lot of traffic in the summer, try a hard-wearing mix.
- If you’d like to see more butterflies and bumble bees, try a pollinator-friendly mix.
Prepare The Vegetable Garden
- Get rid of weeds
- Fork in garden compost
- Cover the beds with plastic sheets to keep the soil warm until you are ready to sow the plants.
Tidy The Flowerbeds
1. Clear Them Out
- Remove Weeds
- Pull out weeds by hand or with a weeding tool, ensuring to remove the roots to prevent regrowth.
- Remove Debris
- Clear away any dead leaves, twigs, branches, or other debris from the flowerbed.
- Remove Winter Mulch
- If you used winter mulch, remove it to allow new growth and fresh soil contact.
2. Prune and Trim
- Prune Plants
- Remove any dead, damaged, or diseased plant parts to encourage healthy growth and a tidy appearance.
- Trim Overgrown Plants
- Cut back any plants that have become too large or overgrown to maintain a neat shape.
3. Edge the Flowerbeds
- Use a shovel or edging tool to create a clean, defined edge around the flowerbed.
- After edging, remove some soil to create a slight “moat” around the edge, which can help prevent weeds from spreading into the flowerbed.
4. Refresh The Soil & Mulch
- Add Topsoil
- If the soil is poor or compacted, add a layer of fresh topsoil to improve drainage and nutrient content.
- Add Mulch
- Apply a layer of mulch (wood chips, straw, etc.) to help retain moisture, suppress weeds, and improve the overall appearance of the flowerbed.
5. Plant New Flowers
- Plant New Flowers
- Choose plants that are appropriate for your climate and the amount of sunlight your flowerbed receives.
- Layer Plants
- Arrange plants of different heights to create a visually appealing and layered effect.
- TIP: Plant your plants close together to help prevent weeds from taking root.
Create a Vibrant Spring Porch Display
To create a vibrant spring porch display, consider using flowers that thrive in cooler temperatures and offer a wide array of colors. Here are some flower suggestions that work well in Wisconsin weather:
- Pansies and Violas
- These are classic choices for spring, with pansies being a bit larger and violas having smaller, more delicate blooms.
- Lobelia
- Trailing lobelia is a great option for hanging baskets or spilling over the edges of containers, and it thrives in cooler temperatures.
- Snapdragons
- These offer a unique, tall flower shape and come in a variety of colors.
- Sweet Alyssum
- This low-growing flower is perfect for adding a soft, fragrant touch to your porch planters.
- Ranunculus
- These flowers are known for their beautiful, ruffled petals and come in a wide variety of colors
The exterior of your home is typically the first impression visitors get, so ensure it’s a positive one! Additionally, getting outdoors and enjoying the fresh air is invigorating. If you’re considering selling this spring, or have any questions about the process of buying or selling real estate, team up with a local expert Realtor from Mark D. Olejniczak Realty!