HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2007-05-03, Page 22(MS) — These days, the home-
improvement industry is as big as
it’s ever been.
Take a casual drive through a
typical suburban neighbourhood
and you’re liable to see a fair
number of houses undergoing some
sort of reclamation project. Be it a
new garage door, a fresh coat of
paint or the ever-popular add-on,
homes across the country are
getting more facelifts than an aging
Hollywood starlet.
That said, many homeowners are
left looking for ways to keep up
with the Joneses while not breaking
the bank.
Thankfully, the answer for a lot of
people is right outside their
windows. Improving the landscape
of a yard doesn’t have to be
expensive.
And such improvements can go a
long way to increasing a home’s
curb appeal, making it more
attractive to prospective buyers.
Think Foliage
Upon planting flowers, many
homeowners are surprised at the
impact those flowers have on the
look and feel of their home.
Flowerbeds around the perimeter of
a house add to the colour of a home,
while also making it feel more
welcoming to guests, including
prospective buyers.
A good trick is to plant flowers
along the edges of a driveway or
walkway. This can provide a strong
contrast to a drab driveway or
walkway. In addition, such flowers
will draw the attention of guests or
those in the real estate market,
taking their eyes away from
potential problem areas you might
not be able to fix at the moment.
Plant Trees
If, like many homeowners, you
simply don’t have the time to keep
your lawn looking lush and green
throughout the year, consider
planting some trees around the
property. This is not only
environmentally friendly, but effort-
friendly as well, as tending to trees
is not nearly as time consuming as
keeping a lawn in great shape.
Once a tree begins to sprout,
envelop its base in a bed of mulch.
Mulch only needs to be replenished
once per year, and the look it creates
is both beautiful and serene. In
addition, planting trees is
inexpensive. Just make sure you
consult with neighbours first if you
plan on planting near property lines.
Work On Your Walkways and
Surrounding Landscape
Unless you have young children,
you and your guests will likely
spend more time on walkways and
patio decks than you will in the
actual yard lawn. Take advantage of
that by further lessening the time
you spend on the actual grass as a
means to keeping it in even better
shape.
For example, if you have a
backyard garden you’re especially
proud of, install a concrete walkway
that leads you and potential visitors
back to the garden. This will greatly
reduce the round of wear and tear
your lawn takes each time you visit
the garden.
In addition, a concrete walkway
won’t be damaged by wheelbarrows
full of soil or new plants.
If walkways leading into the
home are already lined with foliage,
make sure you keep them well-
trimmed.
Keeping shrubs and bushes well-
trimmed doesn’t require a lot of
effort but does give the impression
of a home that’s been well cared
for.
On the other hand, unkempt
shrubs and bushes are an eye sore,
and can imply a homeowner has
been lax in other maintenance areas
as well.
PAGE 22. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MAY 3, 2007.Simple landscape tricks to improve curb appeal
Street worthy
Planting flowers along walkways can be a great way to create a more welcoming feel to your
home while increasing curb appeal. (MS photo)
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