Enhance Your Curb Appeal: Choosing the Right Small Tree and Fixing Your Lawn on a Budget

Choosing the Right Small Tree for Your Front Yard

Replacing a fallen tree can be an exciting opportunity to enhance your home’s curb appeal and create a more inviting outdoor space. If you’re looking for a small tree that offers privacy and is easy to maintain, you have several excellent options.

Considerations for Choosing a Small Tree

• Mature Size: Ensure the tree’s mature height and spread fit your space. Consider the proximity to power lines, structures, and other plants. Aim for a tree that will reach around 4-5ft. Keep in mind that the tree’s size must fit with your local regulations.
• Maintenance: Choose a tree that suits your lifestyle. If you prefer minimal maintenance, look for disease-resistant varieties that don’t require frequent pruning or special care.
• Privacy: Consider the tree’s foliage density. Evergreen trees and shrubs provide year-round privacy, while deciduous trees offer privacy during the growing season.
• Aesthetic Appeal: Select a tree with features you find attractive, such as interesting bark, colorful foliage, or beautiful flowers.
• Climate and Soil: Choose a tree that thrives in your local climate and soil conditions. Check the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone map to determine suitable plants for your region.

Recommended Small Trees and Shrubs

Here are a few suggestions for low-maintenance trees and shrubs that offer privacy:

• Dwarf Alberta Spruce (Picea glauca ‘Conica’): This evergreen conifer has a dense, conical shape and reaches a height of about 10-12 feet, making it suitable for smaller spaces. It provides year-round privacy and requires minimal pruning.
• Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum): Japanese Maples come in various cultivars with different leaf shapes, colors, and growth habits. They generally reach a height of 10-25 feet, depending on the variety. Choose a smaller variety if space is limited. They offer beautiful foliage and a graceful form.
• Cherry Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus): This evergreen shrub can be trained as a multi-stemmed tree, growing up to 10-20 feet tall. It has dense, glossy green leaves and provides excellent privacy. It is relatively low-maintenance and can tolerate various soil conditions.
• Holly (Ilex spp.): Many holly varieties are available, ranging from small shrubs to trees. They offer dense foliage and attractive berries, providing both privacy and visual interest. Consider varieties like ‘Sky Pencil’ or ‘Compacta’ for smaller spaces.
• Boxwood (Buxus spp.): Boxwoods are classic evergreen shrubs that can be pruned into various shapes, making them versatile for different landscaping styles. They provide privacy and structure to the landscape. Their mature height is typically 3-15 feet.

Planting and Care Tips

• Planting: Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and just as deep. Gently loosen the roots before planting. Water thoroughly after planting.
• Watering: Water regularly, especially during the first growing season. Water deeply but infrequently to encourage deep root growth.
• Fertilizing: Fertilize in spring with a balanced slow-release fertilizer. Follow the product’s instructions.
• Pruning: Prune as needed to maintain the desired shape and size. Remove dead or damaged branches.

Revitalizing Your Lawn on a Budget

A patchy, muddy lawn can be an eyesore, but you don’t need to spend a fortune to improve its appearance. Here’s how to fix your lawn on a budget, especially when preparing your house for sale.

Assessing the Situation

• Soil Test: Before you begin, perform a soil test to determine your soil’s pH, nutrient levels, and composition. This information will help you choose the right amendments and fertilizers.
• Identify the Problem: Determine the causes of your lawn problems. Common issues include poor drainage, compacted soil, weed infestations, and nutrient deficiencies.

Budget-Friendly Lawn Improvement Techniques

• Core Aeration: This is one of the most effective and affordable ways to improve drainage and reduce soil compaction. Aeration involves removing small plugs of soil from the lawn, allowing air, water, and nutrients to reach the roots. Rent a core aerator or hire a local landscaping service for this task.
• Overseeding: Overseeding involves spreading grass seed over the existing lawn to fill in bare patches and thicken the turf. Choose a grass seed variety that is suitable for your climate and soil conditions. Consider using a mix of grass types for better resilience. Before overseeding, mow the lawn short, rake up any debris, and aerate the soil.
• Topdressing: Topdressing involves spreading a thin layer of compost or topsoil over the lawn. This improves soil quality, adds nutrients, and helps level uneven areas. Spread the topdressing evenly and lightly rake it into the grass. Then, water it thoroughly.
• Weed Control: Control weeds to prevent them from competing with the grass for nutrients and water. Use a combination of hand-pulling and spot-treating with herbicides. Choose herbicides specifically designed for your type of lawn. Always follow the product’s instructions.
• Fertilizing: Fertilize your lawn to provide essential nutrients. Use a balanced fertilizer, and apply it according to the product’s instructions and the results of your soil test.
• Proper Watering: Water your lawn deeply but infrequently. This encourages deep root growth and makes the grass more drought-tolerant. Water early in the morning to minimize water loss due to evaporation and reduce the risk of fungal diseases.
• Mowing: Mow your lawn regularly at the recommended height for your grass type. Sharp mower blades ensure a clean cut and prevent damage to the grass.

Quick Fixes for a Fast Result

If you need a quick fix to improve your lawn’s appearance before selling your house, consider these options:

• Spot-Seeding: Focus on filling in the most noticeable bare patches. Prepare the soil by loosening it with a rake, adding a bit of topsoil or compost, and sowing grass seed. Keep the seeded areas consistently moist until the grass germinates.
• Temporary Solutions: If time is very limited, you can use temporary solutions like laying down sod or using lawn paint. These options provide an instant green appearance but are not long-term solutions.

Maintaining Your Improved Lawn

Once you’ve revitalized your lawn, maintain your efforts to keep it looking its best:

• Regular Mowing: Mow at the recommended height for your grass type.
• Watering: Water deeply when needed, especially during dry spells.
• Fertilizing: Fertilize according to the needs of your lawn, as indicated by a soil test.
• Weed Control: Continue to monitor for weeds and control them promptly.
• Aeration and Overseeding (as needed): Repeat aeration and overseeding annually or as needed to maintain soil health and lawn density.

By following these steps, you can choose the right small tree for your property and improve the appearance of your lawn on a budget, making your home more attractive to potential buyers.