Are you planning to spend lots of time outdoors this summer? If so, you might notice your landscape is… lacking. If your lawn, bushes, trees, and flower beds are making your house look uninhabited, take heart! With a little elbow grease and a few bucks, you can have your outdoor space sporting awesome curb appeal before next weekend rolls around.

Weed and Prune

One of the biggest reasons why yards look unkempt and lack curb appeal is because they are overgrown. Get out there and weed your flower beds, around your trees and mailbox, and around your porch and driveway. Spray weed killer on the rogue patches of weeds that have decided to live in the cracks in your driveway and sidewalks. Grab some shears and prune back your wayward trees and bushes to a manageable level. Weeding and pruning offers instant gratification by immediately tidying your landscape. And it’s free!

Seed Distressed Areas of Your Yard

Wear and tear from humans and animals – and neglect from last year – may have caused patches of your grass to die out. Buy some seed that is close to your current grass and spread it on the bare area. Keep it moist until seedlings emerge.

Water in the Evening

Brown, wilted grass is nobody’s idea of nice landscaping. Water your lawn consistently and deeply, meaning about one inch of water a week. Schedule watering for the late evening to keep the heat of the day from stealing the important moisture from the plants. They’ll have all night to soak up the water, making your efforts go further.

Don’t Mow too Short

It’s tempting to give your grass a close buzz cut to avoid mowing more often, but you need to avoid this if you want your lawn to look as good as it should. Try to mow early in the morning before the hottest part of the day. Plan on mowing 1/3 of the height of the grass or less, which is why mowing on a regular schedule is important. When you start mowing, change directions to help control your coarse portions of grass. Don’t forget to keep yourself hydrated and wear close-toed shoes for your safety.

Deadhead Your Flowers

Pinching the dead flowers off plants makes your beds look neater and more attractive. The process also helps the flowers grow stronger and produce even prettier, more abundant blooms next time.

Plant Some Perennials 

Invest in your yard for long-term gain by adding plants that return every year. Find some that grow well in your area and in the type of sun your yard receives, arrange them in a pleasing formation, add some fertilizer, and put them in the ground. You will instantly see an improvement in the look of your landscaping, and you’ll be able to enjoy them for years to come.

Use Plants to Fight Off Pests

When you plan your next barbecue, you don’t want to be on the menu! Mosquitoes are annoying beasts, and they also carry dangerous diseases. Avoid them by planting some mosquito-repelling flowers and plants around your porches and decks. Scented geraniums, lavender, marigolds, and citronella are all good choices. Reap even more benefits by planting mosquito-unfriendly spices like basil and rosemary, and then clip some to use in your cooking.

Add Solar Lights

Use solar yard lights to highlight your landscaping efforts plus boost safety and security, all without increasing your energy bill. Install them around your trees, along your sidewalks, and in front of your house. They will light visitors’ way and look beautiful to anyone who passes by. You may even want to add them to your back porch or patio for illumination on those late nights you will spend enjoying the outdoors.

Follow the “Less Is More” Philosophy

An over-landscaped yard may end up looking worse than an ignored one. Know when to stop adding flowers, trees, and shrubs to your lawn. We’ve all passed by yards full of haphazardly planted landscaping that ends up taking away from the overall look instead of adding to it. Aim for clean lines and set flowerbeds that flow and work with each other. Don’t forget that large plots of simple, nicely maintained grass is a good thing!

Commit that this will be the summer you’re going to make your landscaping shine. With a bit of effort and some consistent mowing and watering, your lawn will end up being one of the best on your block. Then get out there and enjoy the fruits of your labor!