Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Life

Category: Curb Appeal

  • Tips for Planting a Window Box

    Planting a window box filled with colorful blooms and greenery is a terrific, low-maintenance way to enhance your house’s exterior instantly. It’s also an appealing option for people living in condos or apartments without outdoor space who want to enjoy the benefits of a garden. If you are intrigued by the possibilities, read on as we reveal tips for designing and planting a lushly beautiful window box. 

    Choose the Right Window Box

    Choosing the best window box for your needs is critical. Not only do you want it to fit your preferred space and look stylish, but you need to be able to hang it safely. Better Homes & Gardens cautions: “Don’t underestimate how heavy a window box can be—it is filled with soil and plants, and gets even heavier when watered.” The Magazine recommends a window box built from “a hardwood like redwood or cedar rather than pine, which rots quickly, and then securing the box with a window box bracket like the Panacea Holdall Flower Box Holder.” 

    If you are concerned that a wood box might be too heavy to hang from your window or balcony railing, Southern Living advises that “[you can significantly reduce weight by using fiberglass window boxes ….” Fiberglass is a good weather-resistant, affordable option for anyone who lives in areas that see significant rainfall or snow and has windows or railings that aren’t protected by a roof or awning.

    Would you prefer a wrought iron option for your window box? While it does require a splurge, The Spruce loves the “H. Potter Copper and Wrought Iron Window Box.” This 30-inch window box has a higher price tag than many, “but rather than corrode, this 30-inch hand-crafted window box will only get better with time since it’s made from rust-resistant stainless steel and covered in a copper finish.” The wrought-iron frame is also weather-resistant, and the mounting and brackets make it easy to remove whenever necessary. 

    Check for Drainage

    No matter which container you buy, it must have proper drainage so excess water can flow out of the box’s reservoir when it gets too full. If you have the tools and the know-how, drilling holes in wood or fiberglass products is a snap. If you don’t have the tools on hand or want a steel or ceramic planter option, consider purchasing a pre-drilled product. 

    You’ll also want to leave some space between the window box and the side of your house, condo, or apartment. How much room? Southern Living suggests leaving “at least 1/2-inch between the window box and the side of the house for water to drip through,” especially if the home is clad with wood siding.  

    Buy Potting Mix

    When planting a window box or any container garden, you’ll want to buy potting mix rather than potting soil. The Spruce explains: “[Its] special combination of ingredients ensures that the mix retains moisture” and won’t compact around tender roots. Experts also believe that potting mix gives you more control over disease or weeds than you would have with soil.  

    Follow the Thriller-Filler-Spiller Rule

    When mapping your window boxes, you want to create an arrangement of blooms and greenery that pops against the colors of your home. And all of your plantings should have similar sun, shade, and watering requirements; otherwise, you are likely to struggle to balance the needs of each of the plants. Martha Stewart Living recommends following the “thriller-filler-spiller” rule for anyone planting a window box. The design guideline “calls for a tall, striking plant (“thriller”) centered in the box and serving as the focal point; smaller, complementary plants (“filler”) on each side and the bottom; and plants that flow over the edges (“spiller”).”  

    Determine Your Growing Conditions

    Will the plants in your window box have access to full sun (meaning more than six hours per day of direct sunlight), partial sun, or full shade? These growing conditions will profoundly impact which flowers, succulents, or vegetables will thrive after planting. If your site is particularly sunny, Martha Stewart Living suggests looking into “colorful flowering plants, like calibrachoas, a perennial that’s commonly seen in shades of violet, blue, pink, red, magenta, yellow, bronze, and white.” ‘Katrina’ African iris, which features “exotic flowers [that] top long, spiked leaves,” and ‘Sallyfun Deep Ocean’ salvia, which is known to be fragrant and a butterfly magnet, are among Better Homes & Gardens favorite full sun “thrillers.” 

    If you are planting a window box that will have partial sun, gardening expert Melinda Myers reports to Martha Stewart Living that “most petunias also do well in full to partial sun,” and “heliotrope has fragrant flowers that hummingbirds and butterflies love.” Myers is also a fan of pentas (as are butterflies) because it “blooms all season long and prefers full to partial sun.” Finally, Meyers loves “summer snapdragon, which (as its name implies) is perfect for the warm-weather season and features upright plants that are available in several colorways.”  

    Trailing lobelia is a great cascading option because while it thrives in full sun, it will still produce bold blue flowers (or purple, pink, or white, depending on which cultivar you plant) with partial shade. It’s an attractive option for planting below tall “thrillers.” Lotus vine, alyssum, verbenas, and plectranthus also offer significant spread for a beautiful cascading effect. Spiky cordyline is also not as finicky about sun exposure, with this “thriller” working with most soil types under full sun to partial shade conditions.

    Container gardens and window boxes dry out faster than in-ground gardens. Depending on the materials window boxes are made of, the potting mix can be super-heated, particularly in areas that experience significant heatwaves. Drought-tolerant plants are often a better fit, especially in summer. Expert Melinda Myers suggests to Martha Stewart Living that dipladenia and zinnias are terrific options because they come in a variety of brilliant colors, “profusion and zahara have good disease resistance,” and “icicles licorice, also known as helichrysum, [is] a great heat- and drought-tolerant plant.”

    Add Foliage

    While flowers can take some time to become glorious, leafy greens immediately have a lush look. Martha Stewart Living recommends planting foliage in your window box as they “do a good job of providing a background to the showier plants that will be a planter’s focal point.” If you are stumped for which greenery to choose, the Magazine suggests coleus because while “it’s usually thought of as a shade-loving plant, coleus comes in varieties, such as Purple Prince, that do well in full sun.”  

    Plant by Season

    If you live in an area of the United States that has dramatic shifts in temperature or experiences frost, Southern Living advises those planting a window box to grow blooms according to season. For example, the Magazine recommends planting “million bells [a colorful “filler”], lobelia, bacopa, twinspur, snapdragons, violas, nasturtiums, and flowering kale” for areas enjoying cool weather. When warm weather arrives, Southern Living suggests switching to “lantana, verbena, begonias, angelonia, impatiens, coleus, sweet potato vine, fanflower, narrowleaf zinnia, and Wave petunia” to beat the heat successfully.

  • Creating Patios that Serve as Gathering Spaces

    Spring is well underway, and summer is just around the corner: How does your patio shape up? If it looks a bit rough around the edges, sparse or outdated, you may want to make it more welcoming. It does not have to cost you a small fortune, as there are many exciting, inexpensive backyard patio ideas that will refresh your outdoor patio and turn it into a fabulous gathering space.

    How Can I Perk Up a Small Patio?

    If you have a smaller space, you can start by adding a trellis around it for an attractive border. Choose some well-made, well-priced patio furniture that will fit in the area. A charming bistro table set and a matching umbrella could create a romantic little nook for you and your loved ones. Just make sure you leave enough room to move about comfortably.

    If you want to be even more creative, you can paint the patio floor, if it is made out of concrete. Older patio furniture can be given new life with a can of spray paint as long as you buy the right kind. You may also need primer and paint brushes for a project like this. Also remember to put some thought into the outdoor lighting and sound setup on your patio. Candle lanterns and string lights will make things look more inviting, and Wi-Fi speakers can add background music.

    Small patios can also be given new life by adding water features. Small patio fountains can go a long way toward creating ambiance. Buy a fountain pump from a garden center and place it in an urn. Surround it with some pretty flowering plants, and voila! –you have created a miniature, relaxing oasis.

    More Backyard Patio Ideas

    Midwest Living also suggests adding flowering plants to outdoor patios. You can shop for standing planters and colorful outdoor vases to place them in. Midwest Living also recommends UV-protected outdoor rugs. These can make patios feel homey and comfortable, as long as you remember to keep them clean and maintained according to the manufacturer’s directions. For an extra dose of coziness, you can also tuck a chiminea into one corner; these take up little space and provide warmth.

    If you have an unattractive wall or fence bordering the patio, you can purchase some screening that will look much more appealing. This is also referred to as “outdoor wallpaper,” and it is often sold at home and garden centers. Should that idea not be suitable, try camouflaging the wall or fence with tall potted plants.

    The ground can also be revamped with some pea gravel. Before laying it down, you will have to install landscaping fabric (also inexpensive) – this prevents mud and weeds from coming through. You can use this gravel for the whole patio, or to accent focal points like planter arrangements.

    An Outdoor Mini-Bar and Seating

    Your guests will love an outdoor patio bar. You can actually make this yourself, out of cement blocks, cedar boards, screws and concrete glue. The base is made from the cement blocks and cement glue, and the top is made from the boards. This easy DIY project from Better Homes and Gardens takes about three hours and only requires about five different tools.

    You may want to add a few outdoor bar stools to use as seating here. Also take a good look at any chairs and couches you may already have. Patio cushions do not last forever, as they are outside in the sun and rain (if you forget to bring them inside). Replacing the cushions is much more affordable than buying new furniture.

    Look for patio cushions that are designed to withstand the elements, and feel free to mix solid colors with patterns. You can also invest in a waterproof outdoor storage box. Take off the cushions before it rains and store them inside, then simply pull them back out when ready to use again. Your cushions (and your wallet) will thank you for it!

    A Few Final Touches

    Many homeowners understand that the best way to encourage outdoor gathering is to bring some of the inside out. As mentioned, rugs can add decorative interest and comfort. You can also get some cozy blankets and drape them over your seating. Mix-and-match outdoor pillows are another decorative touch that will make your guests feel right at home.

    To make guests want to linger longer, treat them to real tablecloths and dishware. Cloth napkins and light stoneware dishes are not expensive, and they can be tossed in the laundry or dishwasher afterwards. When all is said and done, you, your friends and family will want to spend more time outside on the patio than in your house.

  • Ask A Pro – Yellow House Curb Appeal

    Max Wilker, Style Director at Better Homes and Gardens, helps chose colors to give a yellow house a new look.

    Question:

    My house has light yellow siding and navy blue shutters but I’m wanting to change things up to better fit my style. I’ve thought a lot about black shutters but I’m not sure how that would look? And then I can’t decide on a door color. I’ve thought about white, black, red, or dark purple/eggplant.

    Answer:

    We have similar tastes as I have a yellow house, white trim and front porch, and dark royal blue shutters!

    To change up your curb appeal, maybe think about warm, charcoal gray shutters as they won’t be as bold as black shutters. Give your trim a fresh coat of white paint. For a front door, you could go with a stained, warm medium wood tone or look for a bright, navy blue paint. I’d go with brass or gold hardware on the door and porch lights for a fresh, modern twist. If you have space for a couple of planters by the front door, go with white planters/containers to match the trim and fill with red blooms for an extra pop of color.

    Cheers and have fun with color, Max.

  • How to Spruce Up Your Garden Before Selling

    One of the first things your real estate agent will discuss with you when giving you tips for selling your house is the importance of “curb appeal.” While that includes your front door, windows, exterior light fixtures, walkways, fencing, and your front deck or porch, it’s also all about your yard. 

    You may not be able to choose precisely when you put your house on the market. But as soon as you know you want to sell, you should start the outdoor work, preferably at least a month before you list the house and have an open house or book showings.

    Here are a few tips on things you’ll want to tackle to make sure your home has enough curb appeal to get people in to view its interior.

    Rent a Power Washer

    Great for cleaning vinyl or brick siding, gutters, and paved surfaces, a weekend with a power washer is a great way to start the exterior clean up your home will need before you list it. As you clean the walkways, make note of any cracked or broken paving stones, and replace them.

    Don’t forget to use the power washer on any birdbaths, water features, or small ponds you’ve created to wash away stains and lichens that may have started to sprout.

    As you make your way around your home, check your exterior light fixtures and clear out the bugs that have collected in them and replace any burnt out lights.

    Trim Shrubs and Trees

    Now is the time to tackle low-hanging or damaged branches and shrubs that have overgrown the space allotted to them. It won’t just make the place look better, it will invigorate your trees and shrubs and force new growth in the direction you want to encourage it. If you have large trees that are beginning to encroach on power lines, consider hiring an arborist to do this work for you.

    Invest in half a dozen paper yard waste bags and rake up any dead leaves and twigs. Most municipalities have yard waste collections or drop-off depots. Take advantage of them, and get rid of all your yard waste at once.

    Unless you have perennials already planted at the base of your trees, consider investing in some top quality mulch instead of planting annuals later on. Invest in a few extra bags so you can top up the mulch once your house is listed. Cocoa mulch, if you can find it, is the husks of cocoa beans. When it’s fresh and shortly after it rains, you get the bonus of the lovely scent of chocolate spreading throughout your yard.

    Remove Must-Have Perennials

    If you have cherished perennials with a lot of sentimental value (bleeding heart, cherished rose bushes, or lily of the valley from your great-grandmother’s home), it’s better to remove them before showing the house. If you don’t have another place to plant them immediately, just put them in pots and make sure the pots are listed as an exclusion when negotiating a sale. 

    Invest in Annuals and Hanging Pots

    Keeping a house immaculate while it’s listed for sale is enough work without constantly worrying about the exterior as well. This year, no matter what your usual garden plan is, invest in tons of long-blooming annuals and fill up all your garden beds with them. Spread mulch around them and you won’t have to weed.

    Petunias and pansies are particularly nice because they come in so many different colors and bloom all summer long. Chicken and eggs are a good investment too, as they’ll expand to fill the space available to them and grow densely enough so there won’t be any weeds creeping in amongst them.

    Depending on the timing, you can also invest in roll-out flower gardens, seeds embedded in biodegradable material. While germination should only take a week or two, most take five to six weeks for full bloom, so this solution might or might not work, depending on the season and how early you’re starting the garden spruce up before you plan to sell.

    Lush hanging pots of flowers or some attractive tall planters filled with a variety of flowers and decorative grasses are always a nice touch too, and they’ll keep the focus on your entryway.

    It goes without saying that you should ensure any patches of damaged lawn are reseeded as one of the first steps prior to selling. It will take a while for the grass to catch up to the rest of your lawn, but it will make a huge difference. A sad or patchy lawn plants a negative seed in potential buyers’ minds, making them wonder, “If they haven’t taken care of this, what else has been neglected?” 

    Try not to let that thought take hold. Your real estate agent may have other tips for selling your house that relate to the garden and exterior. Listen to them and do as much as you can. It will make a difference in the number and quality of offers you receive and the number of days your house is on the market.

  • Fall 101 with Outdoor Pro Carson Arthur

    I can’t believe that I am about to talk about a fall checklist…but according to the calendar and according to the nip in the air at night, its time to start thinking about the end of summer <<Gasp>>. I’m personally a little torn by this. I love the gardening season, but there is something very special about the turning of the season that I also really love. Maybe it’s the autumn leaves or the smell in the air or even the fact that the outdoor temperature is now comfortable even at noon; whatever the case, I’m not too upset that its time to think about putting the gardens to bed.

    There are a few things that home gardeners get wrong at this time of the year. First off is bulb planting. I love tulips and daffodils in the spring, but I never plant the bulbs in the ground until the soil temperature is below 4 degrees Celsius. Being patient when planting your bulbs is so important to ensure that they stay dormant until spring. Also, remember that the squirrels will probably dig your bulbs up if you are not smart about how you plant them. Squirrels like to steal food from other squirrels. They look for areas of disturbed soil thinking that this is where their neighbor has hidden something edible. When you are planting your bulbs, make sure to disguise the area with some leaves so that it looks like the ground is still undisturbed.

    Speaking of your leaves; KEEP THEM. I know that some homes have huge maples or other deciduous trees in the yard and the amount of fallen leaves far exceeds any needs that you may have. However, mulched or composted leaves are the best fertilizer you can get for your gardens. Leaves that have been running through the mower are also fantastic as an insulator. A few years ago I bought a Black and Decker 3 n1 leaf vacuum, blower, and mulcher, and it’s become my go-to tool for creating my own free fertilizer.

    Don’t forget to wrap your plants and trees! Once again, Mother Nature is giving us some early warning signs of another hard winter to come; specifically, all of the cone-bearing evergreens have them at the tops of the trees. This is a sign that we are in for another rough season, which is going to be hard on your plants. Go out and invest in lots of tree wraps and burlap. Having a windbreak is crucial for plants like rhododendrons, cedars and even your rose of Sharon. The key is to wrap your tree snuggly enough that the burlap will stay up in the wind, but not too tight as they break branches. You should also wait until your plants have gone dormant, which is tough for your evergreens. I like to wrap my tender shrubs and bushes at the end of October.

    You may not have to start thinking about these jobs now, but trust me, winter is really just around the corner!

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  • Fall Lawn Prep with Outdoor Pro Carson Arthur

    Fall is the perfect time to get your lawn prepped for spring, and now is the time to do it! Most homeowners ignore their lawns in the fall but the cooler weather is fantastic for your grass. During this time of year, your lawn is actively storing water, nutrients and generating energy so that it can make it through a long winter. If you take care of it now, you’ll have a healthier, lusher looking patch of green in the spring!

    Now is the time to lower the blade on your mower. I keep mine between 3 and 3.5”s during the warmer months. In the fall, it is time to drop it down to 2”s to allow more sunlight to get to the crown of the grass.  There are a couple of things to remember; never cut off more than 1/3 of the blade length at a time. This is really hard on the grass.  You can lower then mower once by a third, and then again by a third in the second cutting. If you have a bagging option, now is a good time to put it on. Removing some of the cuts blades will help your lawn can more oxygen down to the roots as better airflow can occur without the build-up of cuttings (called thatch).

    Aerating in the fall is also a great solution for getting oxygen, moisture, and nutrients the roots. The best aerators remove plugs of soil that are 3”s long. This is the perfect depth to reach the roots below the ground.

    Feeding the lawn in the fall is actually more important in my mind than doing it in the spring. The fall fertilizer helps the roots grow below the soil, encouraging an earlier and deeper flush of green grass once the snow melts. Look for fertilizers like a 0-6-6 combination. Make sure to avoid a fertilizer with a high first number as this encourages more leaf growth above ground. Instead, get a high middle and last number. This promotes root growth and improves the overall health of your lawn.

    I wait until early October for my last fertilizing of the year.

    I like to top-dress the bald spots on my lawn at the end of September. The occasional rainfall and the cooler temps are perfect for seed starting. When buying your grass seed mix, also get a bag of topsoil. By blending the two BEFORE you spread the mix on the lawn, you get a higher rate of germination of the seeds because you’ve ensured the “seed-to-soil” contact that they need to grow.

    Weeds are also getting ready to go through the winter months. This makes them extra susceptible to herbicides and natural treatments as they are in full “absorption-mode”. Just be careful and follow the instructions on whatever weed solution you decide to go with and wait until the end of Oct to apply. This is extra important in the areas that you’ve planted new seeds so that they have a chance to get better established. Finally, rake those leaves!  Getting the leaves off the lawn before they become a wet mat that smothers your lawn is so important. Try these steps and you’ll be the envy of the neighborhood with the greenest and happiest lawn on the block!

  • Best Outdoor Patio ideas

    Whether you plan to spend the rest of the summer working from your outdoor home office or just want to have a few moments of peace with your morning coffee before beginning your commute, here are some of the best outdoor patio ideas.

    Outdoor living space on a brick patio overlooking a tranquil lake

    Summer Kitchen

    You may want to use your deck or patio as an outdoor summer kitchen. If so, think about things like being set back from the house when planning where to put the grill and how much space to assign to your patio’s food prep area. Don’t forget, everyone wants to hang out in the kitchen at parties. Being able to observe and talk to the chef is a bonus.

    If you don’t barbeque much and prefer drinks and nibbles or potlucks for your outdoor entertaining, think about building a small bar with its back against the exterior wall, facing out. This works well on a small patio or deck where you don’t want your guests milling about.

    If you’d rather focus on eating outdoors while continuing to do your meal prep in your indoor kitchen, create a casual dining area where people feel comfortable lounging both before and after meals. You can serve them more formally after doing all the food prep indoors. Think bench seating and well-cushioned rattan or metal outdoor chairs, rather than traditional wrought iron, which can be very unforgiving. Those wrought iron sets are best saved for tiny bistro tables where you have a quick coffee but don’t plan to linger.

    water coming out from a vase in a garden

    Add a Calming Element

    When you retreat to your patio, you’re looking for a change of scenery and perhaps even a new perspective. Creating an outdoor patio that nourishes you is just as important as using your outdoor space as an entertainment extension to your home. If you want your patio or deck to be a retreat, consider adding a calming element like a Zen or herb garden or a simple but elegant waterfall.

    Zen gardens come in all sizes and shapes, from smaller than a placemat to large outdoor constructions. All you need is a rectangular wooden box or tray, a small wooden rake, some sand, some shells, rocks, or twigs, and, if you want to get fancy, a succulent or two. Bonus points if you can use some of that sand you brought home from your last Caribbean vacation. As you trace patterns in the sand you can pretend that you’re back there, even though you haven’t left the patio.

    Waterfalls can be as simple as two bowls cunningly arranged so one overflows into the other. The sound of trickling water is one of the most soothing there is, right up there with a soothing breeze that rustles the tree leaves. Don’t invest in anything too complicated or anything that’s likely to require a lot of maintenance. Keep it simple and clean, and make sure your water feature has an off switch for guests who may not appreciate it.

    Fragrant lavender, rosemary, and mint are three of the best herbs to grow on a patio or deck in containers. Lavender and rosemary provide a tall, spikey visual element, while mint just cascades lushly as it spreads. Make sure you’ve got the right exposure for the herbs you choose—not all, like mint, want full sun.

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  • Should I Fix or Sell? Seven Benefits of Selling a House As-Is

    When you’ve decided to move on — whether you’re upsizing or downsizing, accepting a fantastic job offer in another city, or fleeing to (or from) the suburbs — think long and hard about what you really need to do to get your house market-ready. You may be tempted to go into renovation mode, but you might be better off selling your house as-is.

    Anything that impacts the home’s operation needs to be fixed before you list, including a leaky roof, a broken furnace, plumbing and the electrical system. These are all things sellers are legally obliged to disclose. If not, a home inspector will identify them to a potential buyer, possibly leading to an offer being withdrawn.

    Here are some things to consider when selling your house.

    1. Renovation ROI may not be there

    Most home renovations don’t pay off instantly. Complete bathroom and kitchen renovations add the most value but also cause the most disruption and can be very expensive. If these rooms haven’t already been renovated, don’t start now. Focus on making sure the existing selling features of the home are in great shape.

     

     

    2. Living in a renovation zone is stressful

    If an owner is fortunate enough to own a larger home with multiple bathrooms and a spare room or two, renovating may not be quite as challenging as it is for those in smaller spaces. But unless personally doing all the work yourself (and sometimes even then), you’re at the mercy of your suppliers’ timelines. You have to live there while renovating even though you’re not going to be the one to benefit. Before you sink $20,000 into a last-minute kitchen transformation, consider just painting or replacing cupboard door fronts and adding new hardware.

  • Ask a Pro Q&A – When It Rains, It Pours: Exploring title coverage for runoff

    When a challenge arises, insurance should be there to help. Learn the ins and outs of title insurance to deal with water runoff from outdoor pro Carson Arthur.

    Question: A house was built on the property behind me. The land had been raised so that the ground around the house is now higher than mine. Whenever it rains, the water from the property behind me washes into my yard and causes a river each time. Does title insurance cover this?

    Unfortunately, it does not. Title insurance only covers liens on a property from debtors to the former owners. The easiest solution is to create a raised planter along the shared property line. By raising the soil, the water should stop running into your yard!

    -Carson Arthur

  • Ask a Pro Q&A – To Stop a Leak: Learn how to investigate a metal roof properly

    Including damaging your home and threatening your family’s safety, roof leaks pose great dangers. Learn how to seek these hazards out with tips from outdoor pro Carson Arthur.

    Question: How can I identify a leak entry spot on a metal roof? My cabin has a 45 percent pitch.

    There is no easy answer here, especially with a metal roof. If I were to start hunting, I’d be looking at the joints and flashing around the edges. The trouble with roof leaks is water’s ability to travel: the hole may not be where the water is coming in. Best of luck to you!

    -Carson Arthur