What does curb appeal Even Mean?
They literally just mean the view from the curb or the curb view and one of the most effective ways to increase your curb appeal is through simple landscaping.
Sometimes the idea of landscaping and yard work is overwhelming for people, but with lot size decreasing and house size increasing, year-round curb appeal can be as simple or complex as you want.
Bad curb appeal is like putting a sign in your yard that says “Don’t come any closer!”
Let’s talk about how to create a beautiful, low-maintenance space that welcomes you. Here are some key things to take into consideration when planning out your landscaping for curb appeal.
Design The Grid
The Rule of Thirds is the process of dividing an area into thirds, using two horizontal and two vertical lines. It’s common for cameras to have the grid view in place while you’re taking the photo, and the same concept helps when laying out eye-pleasing landscape designs.
Microclimate Determination
Crossing the street and taking a picture of the view from the curb is a great tool you can reference. Plan out the microclimate of the curb. A microclimate is the climate of a very small or restricted area. So whether you have a big lot or just a front porch, you have a microclimate. If you have a bigger area, I’d suggest getting a graph notebook and survey the buildings, lot lines, easements, and utilities.
A properly located plant is a happy plant, so it’s important to know what kind of light and water supply you have available.
Aim for perennial plants that require low water and trimming but still offer good color year-round. Some of the best plants in Pierce County are plants that naturally occur in Washington state.
Seasonal Maintenance
Doing these simple tasks each season will help maintain that beautiful curb view year-round.
Spring
- Fertilize with compost
- Cut back deciduous ornamental grasses
- Prune any dead, diseased, or distorted portions of plants
Summer
- Apply mulch to retain water
- Pressure wash soft and hardscapes along with any furniture that may need it
- Water regularly- pro tip: weed while you water
Fall
- Use neem oil to prevent insects, miticides, and funguses from growing
- Fertilize with compost
- Weed where needed
Winter
- Remove dead foliage
- Spread a slow-release fertilizer
- Prune any dead, diseased, or distorted portions of plants keeping the routine in an easy format to modify and share is really helpful. We keep ours in a shared google doc. So when you find that your brain has started wandering away from work, take a look at the clock and see where you’re at in your routine.
Hope this was helpful!
