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Landscaping Ideas That Will Boost Your Curb Appeal for Years to Come

The front of a nice home with a pretty yard

With weather this nice, now is the time to get out in the yard and boost your curb appeal with some landscaping projects! Even the most minor improvements to your landscaping can significantly impact the overall appearance of your home. So, get outside to let the sun warm you all the way through, feel the dirt in your fingers, and listen to the sounds of nature in the spring while working through this list. 

Design Plan – If you start from scratch or need a complete redo, the first step is to create a master plan that includes a drawing. But here’s the key to completing that plan – resist the temptation to complete it all at once or in record time. Taking time to target smaller projects that fit into your master plan will be easier for your sanity and wallet. After completing each smaller project, consult your master plan to make sure you are still on track. Also, update your drawing with plant names, placement, and dates planted. To make it easier on yourself, be sure to include greenery in your plan that is suited for your climate and easy to maintain. And always consider the full size of the plant when making plans for spacing. Mixing things up to have a variety of plants that will bloom at different times in the season will create lasting beauty in your yard.

Plant Groupings – Do your research and group plants with similar growing requirements together. Combining plants with similar sunlight, soil, and watering requirements will reduce maintenance for you in the long run. Group these plants and trees into beds or islands that will allow for easy mowing.

Ornamental Grasses – Landscaping elements in this category are anything but boring, thanks to the wide selection of heights, textures, foliage colors, and leaf shapes. Some can reach a height of 8 – 10 ft tall, making them a good choice for added privacy, or they can be used for filling in large, empty spaces in the landscape. These grasses are low maintenance, provide year-round interest, and many types are drought tolerant. So be sure to add some of these landscaping ideas to your design.

Defined Edge – Landscape edging supplies a clear edge between different areas of your yard that makes your lawn look neat and properly maintained. It not only looks great, but it also cuts down on maintenance by reducing the time you need to spend weeding and trimming your yard on a day-to-day basis. Lawn edging also keeps mulch from creeping into the grass and helps ensure that your plants’ root systems are not overtaken by grass and weeds.

Containers – Using containers in your landscaping can give you more options and allow you to express your unique personality outdoors. It is also ideal for those who only have a small space to dedicate to their plants. Just make sure that the size of the plant complements the size of the container, and don’t be afraid to mix and match plants in larger containers for a customized look.

Portable storage containers from Zippy Shell are the perfect solution for home improvement projects of any size. Learn more and receive a free, no-obligation quote by visiting www.zippyshell.com today.

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Summer Gardening Tips for Your Home

table lamp in blue tone beach house living room interior

Before the weather starts to heat up too much, take advantage of this time to care and prep your garden for this summer!

Clear the area

Before you begin planting anything, make sure the area is free of debris and leaves to ensure clean planting soil. You can rake up the soil before planting to freshen it up as well as examine if the area is clear.

Fertilize

Most soil will not contain the nutrients that your garden needs to thrive, so give it an extra boost to grow.

Plant vegetables

Plant veggies such as tomatoes or cucumbers right in your backyard! You save money on vegetables, all while getting fresher ingredients right in your yard. You also are assured that what you are eating is organic and not chemically treated.

Add some color

Planting colorful flowers is a great way to spice up your backyard to give it a beautiful aesthetic. Not only can you use bright bulbs, but also use colorful pots to put your plants. Fun pots are an easy way to add color to your natural green plants.

Don’t forget to water

Even if summer storms are frequent in your area, don’t forget that the heat can take a toll on your plants. Check if your plants need water by sticking your thumb down into the soil at the stem of your plant. If it is dry, add some water to the mulch.

Expect weeds

In almost any garden, weeds will be inevitable. Prepare for weeds by having weed killer at hand so when they do sprout, you can kill them before they destroy your garden.

Bird baths

For some natural pest control, incorporate bird baths or birdhouses into your yard. Birds will help control the pests that frequently attack gardens, all while leaving friendly insects such as spiders or ladybugs alone.