Curb appeal is the all-important first impression that visitors get when seeing your home. Between maintaining the existing features and adding some new ones, you can change the look of your front yard to align with your design aesthetic. Keeping your front yard landscaping looking fresh throughout the year is possible with a few tasks and techniques specific to late summer and early autumn. Here’s some advice from landscaping professionals: don’t neglect your front yard landscaping this time of year in Wyomissing and Blandon, PA.
Related: Refresh Your Front Yard for the Spring With Lawn Care in Allentown PA and South Whitehall PA Areas
Keep Up With Lawn Maintenance
Keeping your lawn in a healthy state throughout the end of the growing season will ensure that the grass will be strong and ready to withstand the forces of winter. Apart from proper mowing and watering through this time, the last days of summer are a great time to remove any damaged or dead grass and install sod, which will have time to establish a root system (you’ll need consistent deep watering since the days can still be very hot).
Late summer is also a time for dethatching and aeration, to remove excess growth, loosen the soil, and allow the grass to breathe a bit. Then, the application of a slow-releasing fertilizer will give the root systems proper nutrients to prepare them for the harsh extremes of winter.
Remove Dead Tree Limbs
While tree trimming for the purposes of shaping the tree is best done at the signs of first growth in early spring, you don’t want to leave dying or dead branches on a tree - not only does it affect your curb appeal, but the winds and snow of winter can cause them to break off and fall in undesirable places. Be sure to work with a tree care specialist who has the tools and expertise to safely remove dead tree limbs high in the canopy.
Add New Plants
Fall is for planting! Now is the time to add some perennials, shrubs, and trees to your front yard landscape. Be sure to draw up at least a rough plan and make note of the sun exposure and moisture levels of your front yard so that you choose the plants that will thrive in this location.
Wherever possible, choose native plants that are perfectly suited to the climate. There are wonderful choices of native plants for all growing conditions within your landscape.
If you want a less time- and labor-intensive front yard, now is a good opportunity to replace part of the lawn with hardy, water-wise natives that will bring color and interest to your landscape.
Clean the Gutters
Nobody wants to think about gutter cleaning but it’s important for curb appeal. The accumulation of leaves and other debris in your gutters can cause clogs, and water can spill over, creating stains on your siding, and ruining foundation plantings. In two-story homes, this is a hazardous job best left to the professionals.
Edge and Mulch Plant Beds
Clean, edged and mulched beds present a tidy and cared-for appearance to your visitors. Mulch plants to protect them from winter damage.
Dress Up Your Trees
The area under a tree is often relatively barren. Most species of grass won’t grow there and if that has been your experience, consider creating a shade-loving garden under your trees. Attractive edging, mulch, and colorful perennials, and lush ground covers give the area a wonderful face-lift.
