Homeowners often ask me what they should do to improve the value of their home to increase its price when they eventually want to sell. Should they add a deck or a paver patio? Should they finish their basement or add a Florida room? My standard answer is PLANT TREES if you don't already have them!
In central Ohio, new subdivisions are typically built on land that was previously a flat farm field. When the new homes go up, there is no privacy to the back yard. One kitchen looks directly into the kitchen of the neighbor's home. There are few other home 
improvements that will increase in value each year the way trees and landscaping do.
The homes in the photo (right) are only 8 years old. Each of the owners began planting trees and evergreens within a couple years. Imagine how much more appealing this view will be to potential buyers than similar homes that have a full view of neighboring homes.
Since I "practice what I preach", when I was ready to do my own landscaping, I hired Terra Horticulture, a local landscaper, to do the work for me. I requested instant screening in some spots, moderate screening in others, plants that would be bird-friendly, and everything had to be fairly low-maintenance. We (they) planted 8-foot Norway spruces in the area where I wanted instant screening.
I later planted what has become a wonderful little plant called Creeping Jenny, a Steppables plant. Only 6 small plants have now spread to cover almost the entire area under the spruce, helping with run-off and providing rays of sunshine when there is none. In the late fall, the leaves turn bronze and stay that color over the winter until the fluorescent leaves reappear.
For moderate screening, we used viburnum, which birds love, Autumn Gold sedum, which both birds and honey bees love, and tall ornamental grasses for summer/fall screening. The viburnum and sedum turn a beautiful bronze in fall, matching the burgundy color of nearby coral bells.
Another variety of ornamental grass and crimson barberry accent a side yard and maintain the burgundy/yellow-green color theme used around the exterior. This barberry is the large variety which will eventually spread 5-6 feet.
Do please notice the distance these plants are from the home. To avoid problems with basement walls, plants should be at least 3-feet away from the foundation, so you don't pour excess water against the wall when watering your plants.
I hired this work to be done, because I wasn't up to hauling the dirt, mulch and large trees. Better to leave that to the guys with muscles and strong backs. Naturally, you can save money if you do it yourself. Most of the better local nurseries can help you with a landscape plan and delivery of the materials. When I purchased this home 10 years ago, there was no landscaping except for some junipers and a small maple tree in the front. The landscaping in these photos, plus more that I haven't shown, cost less than $4000 installed. I know that it will add more than that to the home's price when I decide to sell as these plants mature.
One more critical piece of your exterior curb appeal is a beautiful lawn and that's very easy to achieve. Spend money to buy the best products, Scotts, and you'll save money in the long-run. Their helpful web site will tell you what to do and when to do it. Basically, you only need to do "something" four times a year: Easter, Memorial Day, Labor Day and Halloween. It's that simple. For extra zing to your bluegrass lawn, overseed around Labor Day with Scotts best perennial rye. It will stay greener in the fall and green up faster in the spring.
Follow my advice and when you're ready to sell, you'll be leaps and bounds ahead of the other homes for sale, that didn't take my advice.
| If you would like more information on the Central Ohio area, then I recommend these links to pages on my web site or blog: |
This post and photos are the property of Elaine Reese, Real Living HER, Worthington Ohio 43085.All material and photos are considered copyrighted and may not be used, copied or stolen by any other parties. Plagiarism is against the law!
Good morning everyone! As Craig said, I'm so over winter as well! Maybe that's why I subconsciously wrote this post.
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I believe in gardening. Place new flowering plants and trimming is my personal favorite. It to me makes it feel like a totally different house transforming a garden.
Frank Rubi