Whether you’re preparing an investment property for sale and want the best possible result, or you’ve just bought into an area you can afford and are hoping to give your home a budget-friendly make-over– this guide shares ideas of what you can do in the garden to help your property look its best. Hiring landscaping specialists to improve your outdoor areas can cost a lot but with some clever planning a greener thumb, there are low-maintenance ways to add beauty to your garden, without spending a fortune.
To transform your garden, a green thumb can be handy but some simple tips are easily managed by even the novice gardener.
1. Manage weed growth
It might be big, it might be small – weeds can be a problem in any type of garden.
Getting rid of them is about more than mere good looks. The fact is, weeds can cause damage to your garden because of the pests and diseases that often come with them.
And the easiest way to keep weeds at bay? Getting them under control at the start of the growing season. So, while spring might be a time to celebrate those new shoots of flowers and vegetables popping up from the soil in your garden, it is also a prime time for weeds to flourish – and that means it’s a great time to deal with them. Get advice from your garden shop and bring in some samples of the offending weeds so they can advise you on the best method of control. If you’re anti-chemicals, it will take hard work but it can be done with some good old-fashioned digging.
2. Get rid of dead vegetation
Rotting vegetation does turn into great compost over time but in the short-term it’s a haven for pests. If you’re prettying up your property in a hurry, remove all dead vegetation by clipping dead-heads from bushes, pruning off dead branches and raking and shovelling up any surplus dead leaves and twigs.
If it doesn’t fit in your existing ‘green’ bin, hire a rubbish removal company to get rid of it for you.
3. Disinfect your garden tools
Not cleaning your garden tools between uses? It matters. Dirty and infected tools can spread diseases through your garden. To keep your plants in prime condition, disinfect your tools regularly.
The best way to avoid this is by disinfecting your tools on a regular basis.
4. Gardens like Keeping Cool
As the warmer weather hits, it’s important to make sure your garden is well-protected. For plants that don’t enjoy direct sun, investing in a little shade-cloth can help them look their best, as well as create a nice look to your garden space. Investing in a self-watering system can save you lots of time that you could be spending doing better things and, if you are selling the property, it can be another added bonus for potential buyers.
5. Mulch
Spreading a layer of mulch serves a couple of purposes. Number one? It deprives weeds and seeds of light, which prevents growth. From a water-conservation perspective, mulch also helps soil retain moisture. Mulch is best applied twice a year – once at the start of autumn and once in early spring. If you’re selling, a fresh bed of mulch adds a neat, orderly look to your garden and helps hide some of its inadequacies.
When it comes to fixing up a house you’ve just bought to make it feel like home, or if you’re planning to put your property on the market to get the best possible sales results, little details can make a big difference. If you’re not sure what you’re doing, a relationship with a helpful expert at your local garden centre can be a great source of free advice. And then there’s the internet – really, what did we ever do without it?
If you need advice for a home loan, business or commercial loan, self-managed super fund loan, or a vehicle or equipment finance loan, speak to a broker at Lending Specialists. We have a wealth of experience under our belt and a robust network to connect you to the right industry professional for the loan you need.
