News and Events
July 23, 2007
Ask the Professionals:
I’m getting my home ready for sale
and
my yard’s already taken a beating
this summer. Any tips?
August’s heat and dry weather can be really hard on a lawn. If
you’re trying to sell your home, the yard’s condition will dramatically impact your
home’s curb appeal. First impressions matter: Buyers make a decision within the
first eight seconds of first seeing a property to decide if they want to get
out of their car and go inside. The greener and more lush your lawn looks, the
greater its appeal to prospective buyers. A green, well-groomed lawn also connotes
pride of ownership. The following tips may help keep it healthy over the
summer:
-Pull weeds by hand. Avoid the temptation to take the easy
way out by using a spray as it could kill or discolor the grass surrounding the
grass, creating an unattractive patchy appearance. Regular weed and pest
control applications are the best way to a healthy lawn that will combat
drought, insects, weeds and diseases.
-Mow your lawn at the highest setting, or as lawn care
experts say, “cut it high and let it lie.” Doing so will help shade the grass
from the hot sun, and it will encourage deep root growth, i.e., the higher the
blade, the deeper the root, which makes it less susceptible to drought.
-More than 90% of a plant's weight is water, so it’s vital
to replenish what's lost or used each day. Regular watering is the most
important way to maintain healthy plants, particularly under hot summer sun. The
best time to water is early morning or early evening -- less water evaporates
than during the midday heat. Avoid watering overnight as wet leaves are more
susceptible to disease. If you can't keep up with regular waterings, let the
lawn go naturally into dormancy.
-Watch your lawn closely for signs of insect damage and summer
lawn diseases, such as summer brown patch. If you haven't already applied a
product to control grubs, you should do so now.
-Keep your lawns edged and trimmed for a neat appearance
around garden beds, driveways and sidewalks.
-If you own a dog, be cognizant of its impact on your yard’s
appearance.
Just because it’s hot and dry outside, don’t let your home’s
lawn go to pot. A little regular maintenance, watering and TLC can go a long
way towards generating a higher sales price.
