Landscape Now for Spring House Sale

As spring approaches, many may be considering selling their home. With that comes the long mental list of things that the homeowner would like to do to the house.

In many cases the list represents some “to-do’s” inside the house. Well, don’t forget about the outside of the house. In fact, now is the time to do much of the work so that your house looks good in the spring. "Curb appeal" is a very important part of selling a house. Part of that curb appeal is the landscaping around the house. This week Mike Brosofsky, owner of Perfekt Erth Landscaping, is sharing his thoughts on what to do now to ensure a great yard in the coming months. Below are Mike’s thoughts.

Often times we get busy with all of our daily tasks and before we know it the landscape around our home seems to be overgrown.  This can lead to maintenance issues if bushes are pressing against the siding and trees branches are hanging over the gutters. Late winter is a great time for corrective pruning for many shrubs and trees. Pruning promotes proper growth, discourages disease, and enhances the overall landscape. 

Many foundation and screening plants can be drastically cut back to a manageable level and will flush out new growth when spring rolls around. Ornamental grasses, crape myrtles and liriope can also benefit from pruning this time of the year.  Some plants, such as azaleas, bloom on old growth so it is best to wait on pruning until after they bloom this spring.  If in doubt find a recommended landscape professional that can help with a regular maintenance plan or proper periodic pruning.

February is also a great time to put new pine straw or mulch in the planting beds.  A good layer of mulch will retain moisture for the plants roots, help keep weed from emerging in the spring, prevent soil erosion, and give a fresh look to the landscape when many things are looking bland. Spring is approaching quickly this year, so try not to be caught off guard. 

I want to thank Mike of PerfektErth for sharing his thoughts and helping you better understand what to do now so that your yard looks better when it is on the market.