Good Fall landscaping sharpens curb appeal and adds extra value to homes
Good Fall landscaping sharpens curb appeal and adds extra value to homes
By GWEN LILLEY
Another steamy NE Tennessee summer is fading into the cool nights and balmy days of fall.
This change of seasons offers those marketing homes an opportunity to capitalize on the change's vibrant colors to add dramatic curb appeal. And there's a payback to it. A Michigan State University study finds that good landscaping can increase a home's value by to 5% to 11%, and the biggest element of a home's landscaping is the grass.
But even if you're not marketing, it's a great time of the year to show off your home and prepare your lawn for winter because what happens this fall sets the stage for next spring's showcase lawns.
This was a lawn-punishing Summer and now is the time to take care of that. Trey Rogers - The Yard Doctor - is a name that always crops up in advice stories about fall lawn care. Rogers is a professor of turf grass management in the Crop and Soil Sciences Department at Michigan State University. He's also a sought after expert on growing and maintaining healthy lawns.
Rogers' standard advice to those who want a spectacular looking fall lawn is to "mow, mow and then mow some more." As long as the grass is growing, mowing twice a week with the blade set at 1 1/2 to 3 inches is not too often. It's also important not to cut back on watering unless the normal fall rainfall levels are above average.
Although football season gets most of the attention, a big part of the fall's appeal is the turning of the leaves. But what's so beautiful on the trees creates a lawn maintenance chore when they fall off. It's important to get that colorful blanket of leaves off the lawn- otherwise it can suffocate the grass.
One of the best ways to handle fallen leaves is to mulch them, then apply the mulch to the yard. Rogers suggests this approach because it provides natural nutrients and helps keep the yard healthy.
Fall is also prime re-seeding time because cool nights and warm days are ideal condition for seed germination.
This area of Tennessee is in what the experts call a turf grass transition zone. The primary grass varieties include Ryegrass and Fine Fescue in blends of Bluegrass or Tall Fescue. Bluegrass is the top choice in NE Tennessee.
If you decide to reseed this fall, use grass seed that matches what's already growing in your yard. If you're not sure what type grass you have, take some clippings to one of the local garden or home improvement centers for some advice on what you have and what you need to do to make it better. The folks working at those centers are local experts, and they like it when customers ask for their advice.
Don’t forget to pull up all the dead flowers from summer, cut back your roses, bushes, hedges, etc. and place fresh mulch down if needed. When all the mowing, watering and raking chores are finished step back, admire your work and visualize how you can use the natural fall colors of your yard to highlight your home.
Dogwood bushes are a good choice because they tolerate cold-weather and have red or yellow branches. The bright red berries on branches of holly are also a good accent. But don't limit your choices. An eye-pleasing effect can be had with some big pots of colorful plants flanking your home's focal point - the front door.
If you're marketing your home, don't overlook your REALTOR'S® expertise. They are the local marketing experts and know what "looks" catch a buyers' attention.
