The exterior of your home is a critical component in your home’s value. Gardens play a vital role in adding value to your home and making outdoor spaces inviting and enjoyable. Below are a few projects to spruce up your garden and add worth to your home.
Beautifying Your Landscape
The first step in improving your home’s outdoor spaces is to analyze the plant life. Gardens are meant to flourish and should be full of plants that can thrive in your climate and within their specific location in your garden. Choose plants not only for their beauty but also for their growth qualities. The amount of sunlight, water and the temperatures should be considered when choosing plant life for your garden.
Water and Fire Features
To transform a garden into a space to linger, consider adding non-living features such as a fire pit or fountain. These pieces combined with a seating area can enhance a garden and provide year-round enjoyment, even when plants go out of season. Water features can also incorporate irrigation and decrease the maintenance in your garden, which will add value to the space itself and to your home.
Getting Around
Walkways are not only practical; they also add to the aesthetics of your garden. A walkway prevents grass and other plants from being trod over and helps define spaces. Various types of stones can be used to complement the garden and add texture. Paths can be winding and whimsical or linear and distinct, depending on the character of your garden and your home.
Sustainability
Modern gardens often go beyond simple beauty and help provide sustainability. Home owners frequently include edible plants like vegetables and fruit trees to increase their home’s value and decrease the expense of providing food for the family. Herb gardens are gaining popularity as they serve many purposes: they create attractive landscapes and can be used in the kitchen. Some even have the benefit of repelling pests.
Pest Control
Various flowers, plants and herbs are known for their pest-repelling properties. Lemongrass is reputed to ward off biting and stinging insects, while mint is a mouse deterrent. Basil and catnip are also effervescent plants that dissuade an array of pests. Marigolds are notorious for keeping bugs away and are commonly used as a companion plant in vegetable gardens. As a bonus, they frequently volunteer the following year. Geraniums, garlic, rosemary, petunias and nasturtium all ward off certain types of critters. Contact a local master gardener or use the Internet to find out what plant would best aid you in repelling the specific pests that plague you.
Lighting
Another easy project to accentuate your garden and increase your home’s worth is lighting. Lighting at night is considered to make a space more secure and can make a garden that’s beautiful during the day whimsical at night. Solar lights, spot lights and even rope lights placed strategically will make an evening stroll through your garden pleasurable.
This is just a sampling of the projects you can use to add to the splendor of your garden and increase the curb appeal and value of your home. Garden centers, greenhouses and nurseries carry many of these products and make improvements affordable and fun!