Thinking of selling your home during the spring or summer?

You’ll want to make sure it has an appealing curb appeal and well-maintained yard if you hope to draw potential buyers through the door and garner a top offer. Here, RISMedia discusses several ways to can create an enticing landscape.

1. Plant a tree

Planting a young tree in your yard won’t provide much immediate shade. Homebuyers still should be able to see the potential that a new tree has, however, and this should help create an idea of what the home will look like years after they purchase it. Trees also are beneficial because they grow deep root systems that help keep water from running off the soil.

2. Add new color

Planting new colors in your garden is one of the easiest ways to make your landscape pop. Select a bloom that will be in season while your home is on the market. Plant larger flowers, but also include some smaller blooms in pots near the entryway or walkway. Adding reds and yellows can help create interest in the home.

3. Tend to the lawn

One of the biggest ways to deter buyers—and a huge eyesore—is the appearance of dead spots on the lawn. Be sure to keep your yard maintained by cutting and watering it often. Feed your lawn with a quick-release fertilizer that will provide hardy growth, and reseed any visible bare spots. You also might want to consider hiring a landscaping company that can bring your yard back to life quickly if you don’t have time to maintain the lawn yourself.

4. Spread some mulch

Mulch is one of those landscaping elements that puts a finishing touch on your entire yard. Spread organic mulch—such as bark dust—under and around plants to help keep weeds from growing. Mulch also adds a beautiful base color to your yard and keeps plants hydrated year-round.

5. Place outdoor seating

Providing a place for new owners to spend time outdoors is an essential part of creating an intriguing landscape. Make sure both your front and backyard offer resting spots. Front porches could feature a small café table or rocking chairs, while your back patio would benefit from having a full outdoor dining set.

6. Install new lighting

Consider installing new lighting in the yard to help draw attention to your home no matter what time of day it is. Potential buyers who tour the home after dusk still will be able to see the yard with the right lighting. Solar spotlights can make certain plants stand out, and string lights can help create ambience in the backyard.

7. Clean up hardscapes

The structure of your yard is another thing that can either make or break a home tour. Toward that end, be sure to pressure wash walkways, patios and decks, and also remove any weeds around the pavement so the hardscapes look their best.