North or South - Is Your Yard Ready for Winter?

Your yard helps make a first impression, even in winter. Buyers may notice the front walk, lawn, trees, and garden beds before they step inside. Whether you plan to sell soon or stay for years, fall is a good time to care for that part of your home. And if you are a buyer make sure to check the landscape as you walk up to see the property.

In northern areas, prepare for snow and frozen ground. Keep mowing until the grass stops growing, and clear thick layers of leaves from the lawn. If fall is dry, water trees and shrubs before the ground freezes. Put away hoses and prepare your irrigation system for freezing weather. These jobs can also make spring yard work easier if you decide to list your home.

In southern areas, a brown winter lawn may be perfectly normal. Warm-season grasses such as Bermuda and zoysia often go dormant as temperatures cool. Avoid trying to make them grow with late fall fertilizer. Clear leaves, keep planting beds tidy, and watch for winter weeds. A well-kept yard can still look welcoming when the grass is dormant.

Tips for both the buyer and the seller. Take a walk around the property through the eyes of a buyer. Are branches hanging over a path? Are leaves covering the entry? Do shrubs hide the front windows? Small fixes can help people see the home clearly and feel comfortable approaching it.

You do not have to be preparing for a sale to benefit from this work. Caring for the yard now protects the time you have put into your home and helps it look its best through the changing seasons.