Flowers Add Instant Curb Appeal

Easy Home Spruce Up to Help Market and Sell Your House Faster

Aug 13, 2007 Barbara M. Martin

First impressions count! Curb appeal sells houses. Inexpensive pretty flowers in beds, border, pots and containers quickly fix up the street view appearance of your home

Homeowners or sellers who want to enhance or improve the curb appeal of their home look to making a great first impression by landscaping inexpensively with flowers. Realtors who actively market houses and successful home sellers know it pays to plant flowers for that quick fix, the front landscape spruce up. Nothing instantly brightens and refreshes the front of your house and yard to encourage a quick sale better than blooming seasonal flowers. Follow these tips on how to plant flowers to turn that “for sale” sign into “sold” faster through increased curb appeal for that all important first impression.

Edge the Flower Bed or Border

Instantly make the entire front yard look groomed and well cared for by edging the flower bed so it has a well defined, crisp outline. Cut a sharp edge using a flat spade or edger tool, or install an edger or border material of your choice. (Edging or border choices.)

Flower Selection for Curb Appeal: Say "Welcome!"

Annual flowers live for only one season but they bloom for the longest period, so plant annuals. Annuals cost less per plant than perennials, too. Plant all one kind of flower for the best curb appeal display. Ask your local professionally trained nursery staff for help picking a flower that will thrive in your flower bed. If your house faces north, select a shade tolerant flower. If it faces east, select a flower that does well in partial shade or partial sun. Facing south or west, select a flower that prefers full, hot sun. (Shade and part shade flowers.)

What Size Flower Plant to Buy

The smaller the pot, the lower the cost. A cell pack holding six small transplants may cost the same as a single plant in a four inch pot. But for an instant full look, use the larger size starter plants.

Spacing the Flowers

Space the individual plants to allow for growth. Check the label for the expected mature width or spread. For complete coverage in a mass planting, space plants consistently throughout the bed. (How many plants to buy.)

Prepare the Soil for Flowers

Good soil helps flowers root better so they take hold fast and bloom their best for maximum curb appeal. Loosen the soil down about six inches. Add some organic matter such as compost or dampened milled sphagnum peat moss. Be thorough about removing weeds before planting to avoid ugly weed problems later on. Weeds will be harder to remove after the flowers are planted, too. (Flower Garden Basics)

Fertilize the Flowers for More Blooms

When you plant, apply a general purpose, slow release, granular fertilizer to help keep flowers blooming for all season curb appeal. Follow the label directions for how much to use. It may seem expensive, but the slow release means you won’t fertilize again for several months.

Mulch the Flower Bed

Mulch adds a professional, finished look for year round curb appeal. (Mulch also keeps down weeds and reduces the need for watering.) Spread mulch two to three inches thick. It’s okay to layer expensive mulch such as the dyed mulch over a cheaper mulch material. Rake occasionally to keep it looking fresh.

Watering Flowers to Keep them Blooming

Keep your investment in flowers looking good. Water deeply immediately after planting. Thereafter water if needed to supplement rain. Keep the soil slightly moist down about six inches, not sopping wet and not dried out.

Container Flowers: The Final Touch for Best Curb Appeal

Add one or two large attractive pots, containers, or hanging baskets filled with coordinating flowers on the front porch or entry for a stunning, eye catching touch of colorful curb appeal. (Container Tips and special Hanging Basket Pointers)

Curb appeal helps sell your home fast. Flowers instantly add to your landscape and home’s curb appeal, enhancing that all important first impression, helping market your house, inviting real estate agents to show it, and enticing potential homebuyers to come inside and view the property – their irresistable new Home Sweet Home.

The copyright of the article Flowers Add Instant Curb Appeal in Flower Gardens is owned by Barbara M. Martin. Permission to republish Flowers Add Instant Curb Appeal in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

SOLD!