Gardening Tips for Beginners That Enhance Curb Appeal
Aesthetics are an important part of home improvement. Freshly mowed lawns, brightly colored flowers, and neatly trimmed shrubs are all good signs that you care about your property. Enhancing the appearance of your home can bring more value to your property. According to experts, a well-kept garden can boost the price of your home by up to 12 percent.
Though not everyone has the time or resources to maintain their yard, even small changes can make a significant difference. If you are a beginner looking to enhance the curb appeal of your home, this article will take you through some gardening tips that can help you get started.
What is Curb Appeal?
The real estate industry has a pretty long list of terms. Curb appeal being one of them, refers to how alluring your property is when it's visible from a public space, like a road or sidewalk. Property owners tend to value homes with good curb appeal more than those without because they'll have an easier time selling them. To give your home the value it deserves, ensure you keep things clean and orderly.
Gardening Tips to Boost Curb Appeal
Before you get started with your home improvement project, make sure you have the following essential tools:
- Garden gloves
- Pruning shears
- Loppers
- Gardening fork
- Spade
- Hand Trowel
- Rake
- Watering Can
- Wheelbarrow
- Sprinkler and Horse
Once you have them ready, follow these tips to give your home the stunning look that matches your style and preference.
Start With Good Soil
You can't expect your garden to thrive if you don't have quality soil. A mix of sand, clay, and loam will provide your flowers and greeneries with both structure and nutrients for a strong foundation.
You can improve soil by adding organic material such as manure, peat moss, or composted leaves and grass clippings. These materials help to retain moisture while loosening heavy clay soils, so they drain properly and improving drainage in sandy soils.
Install Outdoor Lighting
If you have any trees, bushes, or flower beds, consider adding outdoor lighting that makes them stand out at night. Lighting brings out details in these elements and adds a nice touch of elegance. There are many varieties of outdoor lights.
If you're interested in installing some in your garden but aren't sure where to begin, look into various options before making a purchase. For example, you might consider solar-powered lights if you want something green that won't add to your energy bill. It may also be worth paying extra for light that blends well with nature or is gentler on the eyes and doesn't glare too much.
Add Trees
Most people overlook trees when it comes to making their home look captivating, but they are some of the most impactful additions you can make. Trees can also create a more private space for your family.
There are several types of trees you can choose from, such as maple, walnut, birch, and oak. All these vary in their need for sunlight and water. Regardless of what variety you decide on, don't go overboard. If you add too many trees at once, your house might not get enough light and air circulation. Better still, consult with a local landscaper before planting anything in case you're not sure what type of tree would work best for your home.
Plant Different Varieties of Flowers
While many people tend to lean toward monoculture gardens, or simply choosing only one type of plant for all areas of a yard, there are significant benefits to planting various types of flowers in different parts. For example, you could plant asters in one area and then hollyhocks in another area. Not only does each plant have its own unique look, but it also has its own scent.
Additionally, when picking flowers, it's important to consider whether they are seasonal or non-seasonal. Seasonal flowers can be replanted every year, while non-seasonal varieties should be replaced after a few years. Some types of perennials include sunflowers, sweet peas, hollyhocks, lupines, and marigolds.
Get Creative with Containers
When you're a beginner in gardening, it can be helpful to start small. Containers are great for new gardeners because they keep plant maintenance at a minimum. Choose large, differently colored containers that don't require daily watering.
If your container has drainage holes in its bottom, opt for plants that prefer dry soil and top-dress them with pebbles or sand to improve drainage. In case you have some clay pots on hand, choose cacti or succulents. These plants will not need frequent watering to thrive.
Create Pathways
When guests arrive at your home, they won't be able to appreciate its fascinating appeal if they can't find their way to your front door. Create walkways with natural stones and mulch. This will not only leave your property looking great, but also make it easy to maintain your grass with less mowing effort.
Ensure your walkways are wide enough to accommodate wheelchairs and strollers. In addition, keep them clear of weeds and clutter using your good set of gardening tools and equipment.
Define Lawn Edges
These days, many homeowners prefer to use artificial grass for their lawn because it is low maintenance and requires no edging. If you choose to go with grass in your landscaping, it is imperative to make sure you carefully define your lawn edges by trimming back any overgrowth. This gives your property a more polished appearance. It also helps reduce soil erosion around your foundation by keeping excess dirt from spilling onto your driveway or sidewalk.
Add Ground Cover
Ground covers are an easy way to liven up your landscape. They come in different shapes, sizes, and colors that can seamlessly match existing plants and flowers. They're also fairly low maintenance because they grow slowly and need less pruning. To get a more striking result, add them between steppingstones and potted plants or along walkaways.
Stylish Outdoor Lighting to Enhance Curb Appeal
Add safety and ambiance to your home at night with outdoor lighting from Urban Ambiance. Whether you need wall sconces to brighten up your porch or pier lights to illuminate your walkways. We have plenty of options that can fit your taste and style. Our outdoor pendant lights can also give your back deck its missing final touch. Reach out to us today, and we will help you choose lighting that defines your style and elegance.
