Yards Matter

Mid May has arrived and with summer on the horizon it is time for us to look at our lawns and our landscaping.  How we decorate the outside of our homes reflects upon us and what we put into it.  Time and effort pay dividends and if we want to have the nicest yard in the neighborhood we must put in the initial effort and be consistent with the upkeep all summer long.

All about the Grass

For almost all of us the largest surface area of our yards is covered with green grass.  This simple plant is a world wonder.  It looks nice, grows continuously without too much effort, and can set the stage for the front of the house.  However, not all grass yards are created equally.  Everyone has a neighbor with weeds growing all over their yellow looking yard.  The lawn looks unkept and it can be an eye sore for the neighborhood.  We want our grass to have a deep green color to it.  This can be obtained with an initial investment and some simple upkeep.  At the beginning of the season, we need to get our lawns cut and then properly tended to.  This may involve some simple yard treatments.  These can be purchased as a service through several different companies or done on your own.  A local hardware store will sell everything you need to feed and give your yard an early season boost.  A simple seed spreader, some bags of lawn seed or treatment, and some time is all you need to start the season off strong.  To maintain a perfect lawn all you really have to do it keep it watered and cut.  High end homes will feature built in sprinkler systems; however, a simple hose with the right attachment at the end will get the job done. 

Trees and Shrubs

The next big factor to look at when considering landscaping your home is adding depth and color through the additions of different trees and shrubs.  Proper plants add curb appeal to any home and can make a huge difference in how we think about our homes.  We want our homes to be something we are proud of showing off and having a spectacular flowering tree or bush can make a difference.  Additionally, trees can provide shade and adds a sense of nature to our homes.  There is nothing like the sound of a baby bird chirping in the morning in the nest that is in your favorite tree.  Trees and bushes give our homes a sense of uniqueness.  The look, the wildlife they support, and there use as landmarks to help identify your home makes having the right configuration of trees and shrubs a must.

Seasonal Flowers

The exclamation point to any home and yard is the seasonal flowers that we may or may not have.  There are two types of plant, annuals and perennials.  Perennials grow back every year.  All we must do is find the best location for them, and they will not let you down.  That being said, many perennials have a shorter blooming season then most annuals.  The benefit is they are reliable, and you do not have to continuously buy them.  All you must do is maintain them through trimming and other ways throughout the season.  Annuals are more work, but they are also popular for a reason.  Annuals give us flexibility from year to year.  We can change the way our garden looks with ease, we can change the type of plants we use, and we can relocate them every year as well.  The other upside is you can easily get annuals that bloom pretty much all summer long.  Finally, annual flowers are a great way to take a good yard to the next level.  We are always unsure to how much effort we will want to put into our yards a few years down the road.  Setting a solid base with perennials allows us to decide how much time, money, and effort we want to contribute with annuals each year. 

Dealing the Pests

Based on regional climates and wildlife the type of harmful animals that might invade our yards can vary greatly.  Some of us will always be fighting back deer who enjoy ruining our hard work by snacking on our flowers.  For others the number one enemy can be bugs, ground hogs, lizards, snakes, and other pesky critters.  The solution to dealing with the pests also varies by region and species.  However, almost every local garden center will be able to help.  These local shops specialize in selling you the plants you need and have the expertise in helping them grow.  Most will be able to recommend several different treatment options.  Some can be chemical, but others will be about scent and can be done naturally.   Ultimately the best way to deal with unwanted pests and animals is to do your research.  Spending some time learning about your area and what works best will yield solid results.  There is no one way to fix wildlife invasion and we do not want to do unnecessary harm to the ecosystem by making an uneducated guess.   

We take pride in our homes, and we should.  We work hard to afford them, and we want to use them to express our creative side.  Landscaping and gardening are important to the upkeep of our homes, and we must ensure we put in the work.  That is the only way to get results.  The time to start is now to ensure we are prepared for a long and green summer.