Many Americans recently became homeowners when they took advantage of low mortgage rates and decreased house pricing in 2020. However, a lot of first-time homeowners have never managed a whole house on their own. Although keeping an eye on the condition of the roof and checking the stability of the foundations are crucial, don’t neglect to check out what you can do for the backyard and gardens.
According to a recent survey, almost 70 percent of homeowners claimed they valued the space and the condition of their backyards very much.
The right improvements make your yard safer and more comfortable, they can also make it easier to sell the property should you choose to do so.
If you’re first-time homeowner, here are six of the best ways you can improve the state and appearance of your backyard and gardens.
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Great Fencing
They say great fences make great neighbors and the adage can actually be true. First, sturdy fences are a necessity if you happen to have pets as they will prevent your animal companions from trespassing into your neighbor’s yards and causing problems. Second, great fencing increases the privacy of your property while also protecting your neighbor’s privacy. This is why you should ditch flimsy clapboard or chain fences for sturdier alternatives.
For example, metal fence posts will last for years and will be effective in corralling even the largest dogs within your own property. If you can afford it, you should consider elegant cast iron fencing or even full stone wall for added security.
Decorative Trees
Trees are some of the best additions you can put in your backyard because they offer so many things. Dramatic decorative trees like weeping cherry trees are visually striking and can make your garden look magical when they are in full bloom. They can also offer great shade during the summer months, and you can even put a bench or similar contrivance under the boughs of your yard’s trees.
Finally, trees can have a cooling effect on the entire property thanks to the moisture released by leaves. You can be pleasantly surprised how more comfortable your house can be with even a single large tree growing in the yard. Just be ready to keep a steady eye on the plant and to maintain it through pruning and diligent tree care.
Remove Poisonous Plants
The urge to let your garden run rampant and grow wild is strong, even though most homeowners associations would probably have a stern word with you if you do so. But aside from stiff fines and pride in your yard, another compelling reason for diligent backyard care is the danger of poisonous plants.
Dozens upon dozens of poisonous plants grow in various parts of the United States. Some, like poison oak and poison ivy, are only harmful to the skin and are more like irritants than legitimate dangers to your well-being. Some, like hemlock and oleander, can be fatal even in small quantities. Diligent gardening and yardwork are necessary if you want to make sure your pets and children don’t encounter any of this dangerous plant life.
Put Up a Shelter
While you can leave your backyard as a heaven for natural growth, you can make it immeasurably better by using hardscaping and various shelters. If your yard is large enough, you can build a gazebo in a corner and enjoy cool afternoons in the shade of your trees and plants. If you only have a small yard, a patio extension with a tarp can mean comfortable barbecue parties during summer.
Even plants can grow better under a shelter. A greenhouse can be great for protecting your more fragile flowers and growing crops in a secure environment.
Use Natural Drainage
Finally, you need to tackle the issue of drainage unless you want to constable muck out your yard every time there is a strong thunderstorm in your area.
Although you could just put up cement drainage and ditches, urban planners have explored the effectiveness natural drainage systems. This means using the natural curve of the land to siphon water away from your property. You can achieve this by building dry creek beds with gardening stones, sculpting the loam and earth of your garden to create natural runoffs and using extensive plant life to soak up excess moisture.
Natural drainage methods are cost-effective and could protect your yard form the more intense effects of flooding.
Maintaining and improving a backyard is one of the biggest challenges of becoming a homeowner. Hopefully this guide can help first-time homeowners such as yourself enact great improvements to your freshly acquired properties.