Since Southern California doesn’t experience severe colder weather, the fall season is a great time to refresh your yard. Getting a head start on your yard now will give you plenty of time to have it ready by the warm months. The added benefit of the curb appeal is just icing on the cake.
Give the Entry Some Love
The front entrance is one of the first things guests see. It’s also easy to brighten up with a pop of color, a personal touch, and maybe a few accessories. Bright doors are welcome additions in neighborhoods across the nation. Consider cheery reds, blues, yellows, and greens, as these colors bring the eye to the house. Thinking of selling your home in the future? This memorable detail can also attract buyers and give you a leg up on the competition. Give yourself an afternoon without rain for this project, and be sure to prime to get the most vibrant shade out of your paint.
Topiary boxwood, mums, and other greenery can add more dimension to your outdoor entry area as well. For homes that will be going on to the market, the more living space you can help buyers picture, the better. If you’re the proud owner of a porch, consider creating a cozy sitting area to encourage outdoor gatherings with friends and family.
Getting a Jump On Homegrown
Your yard refresh can be useful for more than just looks. The temperate climate of Southern California makes for an excellent year-round growing season for most plants and vegetables. Test out your green thumb by growing your own produce in raised beds or containers.
If you don’t like the look of raised beds in your front yard, well-placed container gardens are every bit as appealing and can be good for preserving soil moisture. They’re also substantially easier to move around if you want to avoid direct sunlight on certain plants now or in the future. The mixture of textures and colors can also be useful for livening up xeriscaped gardens, or drawing attention to features like fire pits and seating areas. For the crafty among us, there are all sorts of DIY projects to create your own personal retreat.
Cleaning the Edges
Whether your front yard refresh requires lawn care or not, keeping the edges well tended makes your home look crisp year round. A little attention to the sides of the driveway and garden beds will keep weeds from growing outwards. Along the bottoms of hedgerows and flower beds, add two inches of mulch to clean up the appearance. The additional mulch will keep the soil damp and rich in the coming warmer months, and has a very real effect on water consumption. If you’re the proud keeper of a citrus or avocado tree, the late winter months are perfect for fertilizing to ensure a strong crop later.
If you want to add something new, wood and botanical details are popular and it may be a great time to add some privacy to the yard if you have wanted it. Teak trellis, stained wood, and containers with bamboo all make good walls to surround a garden, and easily removed if you find it distracting. If you’re in the market to replace any greenery, water-smart options like rosemary, hawthorn, and Mexican elderberry are all strong growers in warmer weather.
Try Something New
Taking enjoyment in switching out old details for new ones will keep your home fresh and appealing. If you’ve been contemplating changes, take advantage of the cool temperatures and go for it. If you’re thinking about ways to increase your curb appeal or to add value to your yard, you can always consult with a Realtor to see what will yield results for you and your house.
Looking for more tips, or thinking about selling your Southern California home in the near future? The Shannon Jones Team is here to help. Fill out the contact form below, and we’ll be happy to speak with you about your plans.
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