If you’re planning on selling your property, there are a few things to consider to improve its curb appeal. Even though it may seem like a lot of work, there are easy and simple tasks you can perform that won’t take much of your time or blow your budget.
1: Start planting
Plants are a source of life in every garden and have the potential to improve not only your curb appeal but also your health. Without them, a property with a yard can look unattractive.
Plant shrubs in the front of your property will give it a desired fresh and modern look. Invest in a few tall bushes that frame your doorway, and they’ll add a lot to the aesthetic. Locate spots in your front garden that get an appropriate amount of sunlight and strategically plant some perennials, such as roses, lavender and sedum geranium. Remember to water them regularly to keep them healthy and good-looking.
You can easily change that if you don’t have good soil for planting. It can be purchased relatively cheaply at any local home improvement store.
There are 4 main soil types: sandy, silty, clay and loamy. Out of these, loamy is the best choice because it contains all the nutrients and minerals necessary for healthy plant growth. However, this doesn’t mean you can’t grow plants in other soil types with a bit of extra work to fix their foundation.
Here’s a cheat sheet that can help you improve the quality of your soil.
Clay soil
If you notice dense material, you likely have clay soil. Such type of soil will lean towards red or orange in colour. It’s usually hard and heavy when it’s dry and muddy when it’s wet. Luckily, there are ways to fix that:
- Add 5 to 8 centimetres of organic matter to its surface.
- Use it in permanent raised beds for proper water filtration.
- Mix it with garden-friendly types of soil.
- Reduce the amount of tilling.
Sandy soil
Sandy soil dries quickly and drains poorly. Besides that, it can hardly hold shape. However, it’s easy to fix that:
- Mix in 8 to 10 centimetres of organic material. Make sure to add at least 5 centimetres annually.
- Mulch. This helps with moisture retention and cooling. You can use grass clippings for that.
Silty soil
Silty soil is somewhere in the middle between clay and sand. It has a soft and powdery texture that’s finer than sandy soil.
To improve silty soil:
- Add organic matter regularly.
- Avoid tilling.
- Add mulch at the beginning and end of each planting season.
- Reduce the acidic level of the soil by adding lime.
2: Trim your plants
Even though plants are a great addition to a garden, they can often overgrow. This is why trimming is necessary.
Trim the branches of trees neatly and regularly, so they don’t loom over your or your neighbour’s property. Keep the hedges and bushes at bay by reducing their size to a comfortable and consistent height.
Trimming is overall quite simple and requires only a good pair of long clippers and a band saw.
3: Remove weeds
Any garden which has good quality soil will naturally have weeds. However, they’re pretty easy to spot and, luckily, just as easy to get rid of. Usually, a simple pull is enough, but you’ll need to ensure they’re removed from the roots.
If you have weeds growing between the pavement cracks, use weed killer or a pressure washer.
Generally, garden clearance experts recommend avoiding the use of synthetic fertilisers and pesticides. Instead, there are easier ways to control weeds and pests.
Opt for natural fertilisers like manure, wood ash or seaweeds. Add a layer of mulch to an established garden to stop weeds from germinating.
To keep pests at bay, you can research DIY recipes for fertilisers. A popular one is a spray made of chilli, garlic and copper or sulfur. Alternatively, grow specific plants that naturally deter pests or attract their natural enemies. Some suggestions include the following:
- Attract ladybugs. They’re natural enemies of aphids and are attracted to sunflowers.
- Attract beetles. They are many insects’ natural enemies. Because they live close to the ground, you can easily attract them with good quality mulch that will provide them with shelter.
- Plant marigolds. They are particularly good at repelling insects. Besides that, they’re an easy summer flower to grow.
Another way to create a weed-free garden is to simply grow more plants. If there are no gaps in your garden, there will be no space for weeds to grow.
4: Rake dead leaves
Fallen leaves can ruin the aesthetic of a property. They can make your garden look pretty for a while, but they become a nuisance and stop sunlight from reaching your garden’s grass after some time. Luckily, for raking, you’ll only need a rake and some spare time.
5: Clean your driveway regularly
A clean driveway comes with many benefits. Firstly, your home’s curb appeal will significantly increase without much financial investment. Secondly, with minimal effort, your property will look as good as your neighbour’s.
Begin by preparing the driveway for the clean. When pressure washing, sweep away any dirt with a broom to prevent any damage. Next, apply the degreaser to the concrete’s surface with a stiff brush. This will help break stubborn stains on your driveway.
Afterwards, prepare the detergent. However, before you do that, read the instructions on your machine to determine which cleaners it’s safe to work with.
Once you fill it up, attach the soaping nozzle designed to soak the driveway. After loading the jet washer, put on the appropriate gear, including rubber gloves, rubber boots and eye protection. Spread the soapy detergent starting from the highest end of the driveway. This way, the water will flow downwards. Put the sprayer wand on the lowest setting and sweep the detergent using back-and-forth motions. Once you’re finished, let it sit for around half an hour.
When it’s time, switch to a high-pressure wand tip. Use its rinse mode to clean the detergent from your driveway. If you’re dealing with heavy stains, try overlapping the sweeps while rinsing and putting more pressure on them.
Last but not least, work with the sealer. Once the driveway is dry, begin sealing it to prevent future staining. Working with it is usually pretty straightforward. You’ll only need an extended paint roller to apply it to the concrete. Once the sealer has been applied, wait for around 24 hours before using the driveway.
6: Tend to your lawn
A good-looking yard requires more than lawn mowing. Suppose you want to really improve your property’s curb appeal, thatch and remove any dead greenery from your lawn regularly. Water it regularly and apply fertiliser in the spring. This will make your lawn look greener and significantly improve its appeal.
Final Words
Curb appeal offers potential buyers a glimpse into their future homes. It’s always better to make that as desirable as possible. A first impression should never be underestimated. If the outside of your property looks pristine, the buyers will already have positive expectations for the inside and be ready to pay a higher price.
