Summer Curb Appeal

Curb appeal is the first impression friends, family and passersby have of our homes. For most of us, the front of our home is what greets us each time we arrive, whether at the end of a long day at work, or a fun day out playing! With regular maintenance, it is not overwhelming to keep our yards and gardens in tip top shape and make us look forward to coming home to our private sanctuary each day.

To make our homes inviting, warm and welcoming, there are a few relatively inexpensive updates that will make a world of difference:

• Keeping the grass cut and walkways, trees and bushes trimmed is the first step in looking clutter free
• Replacing mulch will add instant neatness and some color
• Touching up paint on shutters, eaves, doors and fences will make your house look instantly new again
• Clean or replace light fixtures. If they are outdated, painting them black is an inexpensive fix
• Replacing light bulbs will provide beauty, but more importantly safety at night
• Painting and cleaning up around the mailbox will make a statement
• A splash of color with some bright flowers can be added easily enough, even a couple of pretty pots on the front porch
• Pressure washing the walk and drive at the beginning of summer, then sweeping periodically keeps everything else looking tidy
• Wipe, sweep or wash front porch and door to remove any spiders or other unwanted guests
• Investing in a new front door mat will just make you feel happy
• Opening blinds and windows brightens a house from the outside as well as the inside

The back yard and entertainment area is important as well since it is summer and we are spending more time outdoors grilling, entertaining or are lucky enough to have a swimming pool:

• Find a focal point, whether a fire pit, grill or outdoor kitchen. Arrange outdoor seating in an inviting, conversational area. 
• Clean, paint or repair any fencing
• Without being cluttered, arrange yard decorations or decorative pots sparingly for a personal touch

A nicely manicured yard and fresh, bright paint with pops of color from a few beautiful flowers are the first steps toward looking forward to coming home each day.  Mike Burroughs and his team in Hill Country, Texas would love to assist with low maintenance hardscape and a few deer resistant plants. 

Deer Resistant Plants and Flowers - 101

People are not the only ones who enjoy the beauty of the Texas Hill Region. Deer love our rolling hills and spring fed rivers and lakes too! With spring upon us, and summer quickly approaching, you may be thinking of planting some new greenery and color in your yard.

Even those of us who enjoy seeing a deer cross our yard occasionally do not like them munching our favorite plants and flowers. Keeping in mind that like us, one deer may not find our prized flower bed to their particular liking, but the next one that comes along may find it their favorite. Hence, there are not many flowers and plants that are totally deer resistant. There are some plants that are resistant to our hot, dry summers and require minimal maintenance that will be less likely to appeal to deer.

Farmer’s Almanac offers suggestions if you have seen signs of deer in your yard or garden, such as hoof prints or jagged edges on leaves. Some of these include:

• Put stronger smelling flowers and prickly plants with hairy or furry leaves on the outside of a garden, with smaller, more attractive plants on the inside for protection.
• Keep yard and garden clear of leaves, rotten fruits and nuts such as acorns.
• An inexpensive motion detector can be used to frighten them away from your yard
• Repellents, available at most home and garden stores, can be sprayed on plants and flowers with no harm to them and will discourage deer.

Burroughs Landscaping is anxious to assist you in determining the best fit for your space and preference. It is possible to have a beautiful garden and outdoor living area, without having a buffet for deer.