Fall is in the air and I simply can’t contain my smile when I catch sight of a kiddo (or mischievous dog) jumping headfirst into a pile of red, gold and fiery orange leaves. The days are perfectly warm, the evenings cool and there is no better time to get out in that yard of yours and get your hands in the dirt.
But there’s a huge bonus: a maintained yard delivers much more than healthy outside time for you and your family- it adds major property value with minimal material cost. When you enter a neighborhood and see well pruned mature trees, lush grass and pops of color from flowers it’s an incredibly pleasing aesthetic and appraisers notice! Although it’s difficult to quantify the rate of return on landscaping investment, the average value increase is anywhere from 10% – 15%. When you consider the majority of landscaping can be done using yourself as labor with only the costs of materials- plants, soil, shovels, etc., it’s an excellent way to build sweat equity.
When tackling a landscaping project, it’s imperative you listen to the seasons and what Mother Nature is telling you will survive your climate- after all, these are living creatures and if you want to keep them that way, plan to plant accordingly. Here is a general guide geared toward making the most out of your yard.
Autumn
- Rake and compost leaves off lawns and flowerbeds as needed
- Aerate lawn and apply Autumn fertilizer
- Plant Spring blooming bulbs such as tulips, daffodils, and irises
- Plant trees such as oak, maple, and ash, no more than 2.5” trunk diameter
Winter
- Use sand or kitty litter (not salt) to give you traction on the snow and ice
- Clean and organize your tools, have them sharpened
- Run gas powered tools until empty or add fuel stabilizer
Spring
- Rake lawn to remove dead grass, repair patches and apply Spring fertilizer
- Prune your trees to promote healthy upward branch growth
- Remove dead growth and debris from flower beds
- After the last freeze, plant your annuals for pops of bright color vegetable garden (rule of thumb is after Mother’s Day)
- Plant perennials
Summer
- Mow lawn regularly, alternating mow direction and pattern, water only in very early morning hours
- Deadhead flowers as necessary
- Prune flowering shrubs when flowers fade
I always recommend a local nursery for your plant and tree purchases. Local businesses have a much more keen eye for plant health and what they will accept from a distributor, in addition, they will carry zone specific plants, many of them will warranty larger purchases like trees.
With elbow grease and care, your curb appeal (and property value) will soar! Happy gardening.