Design Ideas for Creating Curb Appeal

Got curb appeal? Did you know that the appearance of any landscape says a lot about its owner? Just like with anything else in life, first impressions count. A well-designed and maintained landscape will not only provide a lovely backdrop for your home but will increase its overall value and minimize health problems as well. An easy way to test out your roadside curb appeal is to step back, going across the street if you have to, far enough to where you can get a good view of your property. Take notes on anything you see that may require attention such as pruning shrubbery or filling in empty areas. Your goal is to achieve a pleasant view from both the street and other areas within eyeshot. The curb appeal landscape should lead visitors to appropriate areas like walks, driveways, and entrances with ease and should be welcoming, enjoyable, and safe along the way.

The use of small-flowering plants, shrubs and trees is one of the easiest ways to add instant curb appeal. Be sure, however, to choose the right plants for your particular site; otherwise, you may run into problems associated with plant health. This is best accomplished by familiarizing yourself with the current soil and light conditions around your landscape. For instance, what areas receive sun or shade? Is the soil dry and compact, airy and well-drained, alkaline or acidic?

These are important factors to consider before choosing plants. Another, just as important, consideration to take note of is the land features of your landscape. For instance, does it lie flat or does it slope? Is it surrounded by woodlands or barren? Are there rocky areas or natural water sources? What types of plants are currently thriving in your landscape? Choose plants that are native to your area; any plant which is not naturally adapted to the site will require special attention to keep it healthy. How much time are you willing to spend with this type of maintenance?

Maintain an attractive yard throughout the seasons by incorporating plants with year-round interest. For example, bring a splash of color to the spring landscape with spring-flowering bulbs such as crocuses, daffodils, hyacinths, and tulips. Add some springtime bloomers like forsythia, lilac, or azalea shrubs and include a flowering dogwood or two. Colorful showstoppers like Rose-of-Sharon and various perennial flowers will adorn the summer months.

Autumn drama will continue with fall chrysanthemums and outstanding foliage from a variety of ornamental grasses, shrubs and trees; while winter appeal is found within the various textures, forms, colors, berries and seedheads of numerous plants, trees, and evergreen shrubs. Try to maintain a good balance of plants in scale with the surroundings. Enhance plantings with focal points and other decorative features such as benches, sculptures, and water fountains.

Everything within the landscape should work together, creating a harmonizing tone. Similar hardscape features like the edging around beds, miscellaneous walkway pavers, and outside structures should complement the home. Plants should also bend well into the landscape. Repeating hardscape materials and colors is a good way to tie the landscape together. Yard or garden art adds instant appeal but should be used in moderation to prevent the site from looking too busy.

Mulching is another effective way to improve your landscape’s appearance. It also makes landscape maintenance easier and promotes healthier plants by retaining moisture and smothering weeds. Organic mulches can come from yard waste like grass clippings, leaves, or wood chips. These can also be used in the compost pile with kitchen scraps and later worked into the soil, improving its health as well.

Many people tend to over water their lawns, especially during the summer months, not realizing that this not only wastes water but is unhealthy for your landscape. Lawns generally require about an inch of water a week; therefore a thorough soaking once weekly during dry spells or twice in extremely hot, arid conditions is sufficient. Watering during the morning hours allows the water to soak into the ground more easily and offers ample time for drying, which prevents likelihood of disease. Mowing should be done on a regular basis; however, be careful not to overdo this task.

Once a week is often good enough and every two weeks is even better, especially in times of drought. This is when both over-watering and mowing problems occur. Grass naturally goes dormant when it’s extremely hot or dry. People often water the lawn more thinking it’s dying or dead. On the flipside, mowing too often, especially during drought is just as bad. This can cause the roots of grass to burn.