Gardens - First Impressions Count
GARDENS – FIRST IMPRESSIONS COUNT
This certainly applies to your garden especially if you are selling your property. The garden will be one of the first impressions a potential purchaser gets of your property, if they like the outside this may bode well for when they enter the property!
Gardens are an extension of your home – it can be classed as another room for you to enjoy.
Once Autumn and Winter disappears your gardens can look a little sorry for themselves especially if there has been a hard frost. Spring is the time for discovery – how many plants have survived the Winter etc?
With Spring and then Summer just around the corner, you need to spring into action. The following ideas may help you.
1. Cutting Back Plants & Weeding – New shoots will start to appear and it is a good idea to cut back the old, sometimes dead wood, for the new shoots to grow. Digging or turning over the soil can also help and this way you can also get rid of the unsightly weeds. If you are able to spend some money on your garden, Forest Bark may be a good investment. This helps you to keep the garden tidy by keeping the weeds at bay and can also make your garden low maintenance. By cutting back branches, this can let light into your garden.
2. Lawns – Your lawns can also suffer during the Winter months and may need some attention. It has been suggested that the use of fertilizers in the Spring for continual growth may be beneficial, (ensure professional advice is sought before use of any fertilizers). Spring is also the time to commence mowing your lawns. Prior to mowing trim and cut the edges to give definition to the lawns.
3. Planting – If you have found that some plants have died you may wish to replace these. There is no need to spend a lot of money on replacing plants, investing in seeds should be sufficient and they can be interesting to watch them grow to more mature plants.
4. Pressure Wash – This is a great way to start making your property look fresh. Paths can become green over the Winter months and by pressure-washing these it can make your property look as if someone does care for the property. Driveways can also be pressure-washed to remove unwanted stains. You will be surprised how pressure-washing can make all the difference.
5. Fencing and Decking – Your decking may need staining on a regular basis, this not only helps to keep the decking from rotting but it can make an inviting statement to someone viewing your property – for example, they may imagine themselves sitting on the decking having a drink with friends or even having a BBQ on a balmy Summers evening?. If fences are damaged repair them, and also staining the fences can “freshen” them up for the summer ahead.
6. Garden Furniture – If you have wooden garden furniture, then this may need staining too not only to extend their life but also to help create the atmosphere of someone who cares for their garden furniture. Remember, potential purchasers need to imagine themselves sitting there.
7. Compost – You can now purchase compost holders to create your own compost for your garden. Not only is this good environmental practice, but it can be inexpensive to purchase. This “home-made” compost helps with the growing of plants and is an economical way of feeding the fauna and flora.
8. Water Butt – These can be inexpensive to purchase and your garden can benefit from this. If a hot Summer is encountered and a hose pipe ban applies, you will be using rainwater to feed your plants instead of tap water. Rainwater does not contain chemicals like tap water, which will be beneficial to plants when watered. This again is good environmental practice and also reduces the household water utility bill.
9. Greenhouses – Often Greenhouses can become storage areas over the Winter. Spring is the ideal time to take everything out and transfer to the shed or garage. Wash the Greenhouse down inside and out. Use the Greenhouse for the purpose it was designed for. If your Greenhouse is full of clutter/junk it may give the impression to potential purchasers that there is not sufficient storage available in the house.
10. Garden Birds – Attracting small birds, such as Blue Tits, Wrens etc., into the garden can bring peace and tranquillity to this environment. Strategically located feeding tables and nesting boxes can attract birds to the garden and show potential purchasers your compassion for wildlife.
Remember even the smallest job in the garden
can make all the different – make that first impression count