Fall offers a fresh start for lawn and landscape

“Take a good look around and see what needs to be removed, replaced or freshened up – and that includes the lawn itself. MARK BATES

Keep seasonal decorations to minimum if selling
By AMY STUMPFL
For Brentwood Home Page
Summer may be gone, but don’t pack up the lawn and garden tools just yet. Autumn is the perfect time to renovate – and rejuvenate – your landscape. And for those who may be looking to sell their home, fall landscaping is an important way to boost your home’s value and curb appeal.

“It’s been a long hot summer, so now is the time to take inventory,” says Mark Bates, owner of Mark Bates Garden Center on Franklin Road.

“Take a good look around and see what needs to be removed, replaced or freshened up – and that includes the lawn itself. This is a good time for re-seeding or even re-sodding, if necessary.”

A fall clean-up should also include application of fertilizer and aeration – which is simply removing small plugs from the lawn. This allows fertilizer and water to seep into the grass, while enabling oxygen to get to the roots.

“People tend to forget about watering in the fall,” Bates says. “October may be cooler, but we don’t get a lot of rain, so watering is still very important.”

October also is a good time to think about trimming back trees and shrubs, although Bates cautions homeowners not to “overdo it.”

“You want things to look nice and neat, so they’re not overwhelming the house. It’s fine to do some selective pruning, but reserve the heavier – or what we call corrective – pruning for later in the dormant season. I usually say February.”

 “Trees and landscaping can really add a lot in terms of curb appeal,” agrees Marla Richardson, a realtor with Realty Trust Residential. “But buyers definitely notice when things are overgrown or neglected. You want to make sure that everything is well maintained.”

Show your true colors

Of course, the season wouldn’t be the same without beautiful bursts of fall colors. But don’t limit yourself to simple orange and yellow.

"...color can create a warm, welcoming entry, even if it’s just a couple of potted mums.” MARTY WARREN Broker

“We tend to think of fall colors in terms of the leaves on the trees, but fall annuals can make a big statement,” Bates says. “Mums and pansies are always good choices, whether planted in beds or containers. Ornamental kale is another good one, and the ‘arp’ variety of rosemary produces a nice evergreen foliage that smells wonderful.”

As a broker with Fridrich & Clark Realty, Marty Warren calls landscaping “one of the best ways to make a good first impression with potential buyers.”

“Everything needs to be pristine,” he says. “Flower beds should be edged properly, with fresh pine straw or mulch. And color can create a warm, welcoming entry, even if it’s just a couple of potted mums.”

Other seasonal items – such as pumpkins or cornstalks – also can create interest. But be careful to keep holiday decorations to a minimum.

 “You want everything to be simple and generic – anything more is just a distraction,” Richardson says. “Halloween and Thanksgiving are great fun, but you may have potential buyers coming from different cultures or backgrounds that don’t celebrate these holidays. Remember, once you’ve listed your home, it’s really not yours anymore – it’s all about marketing.”

And speaking of marketing, once you have everything in tip-top shape, break out the camera and take some good photos.

“If there’s even a remote chance that you’re going to list your home this fall or winter, it’s wise to get some exterior shots now – while the grass is still green and the leaves are still on the trees,” Richardson says.

A fresh start for fall

"If there’s even a remote chance that you’re going to list your home this fall or winter, it’s wise to get some exterior shots now..." MARLA RICHARDSON Realtor

Whether you’re looking to put your house on the market or simply want to establish a healthier lawn, now is the time to take on those landscaping projects.

“As with most home maintenance, it’s best to keep up with landscaping year-round,” Bates says. “That way it’s not so overwhelming. And the longer you put things off, the more expensive it’s likely to be. I can’t tell you how often I work with people to do a major landscaping project, and the first thing they say is, ‘Man, I wish we had done this years ago.’ It really adds to the enjoyment of your home.”