10 Things to Do in Your Garden Before You Put Your House on the Market

There’s a lot of work involved in getting your house ready to sell. Unfortunately most people only think of addressing the home’s interior and exterior when revamping, leaving much to be desired in the form of neglected gardens and landscapes. With statistics stating the potential of a 109% return on every $1 you invest in your landscaping, there is something to say for handing over the gift of gardening along with the keys. Successful sales reps often paint a picture of the fresh new life potential buyers will eagerly step into, and the outdoors should most definitely be included in the dream. Whether you’ve put years of sweat equity into your own glorious garden, or are just looking to freshen it up with the hopes of multiple bids, we’ve got the checklist to keep you on track.

No matter what type of garden or time of year you’re looking to sell, read on for the selling agent-approved to-dos before snapping those listing photos and hitting the market.

Thomas J. Story

1. Seasonal Weed Maintenance

It doesn’t matter the time of year, it is always a must to get those garden borders and hillsides cleared of any overgrowth. Think of this as revealing the canvas: Not only are you freshening up the space, but you’re also showcasing the potential of where and how the new owner can put their own personal touch. A neat and tidy landscape, especially in hillside communities, is not only important for fire safety, but also gives that move-in-ready vibe so the new owners won’t have to immediately haul out the garden tools as soon as their boxes are unpacked.

2. Trim Trees and Manicure Shrubs

Whether you have young fruit trees or mature ornamentals, it is important to do a proper pruning across the entire property to amplify the power of arbors. Trees have the capability of increasing your home’s value by 5% to 11%, so make sure existing specimens look in top condition and consider planting a few native or drought-tolerant varieties if there aren’t any currently on the property.

Thomas J. Story

3. Clear All Pathways

Pebble and DG pathways should get a proper raking to showcase the thoughtful design and passageways you’ve created for navigating the space. Defining pathways helps tell the story of how a potential buyer will ultimately use the area. Guide them into their perfect paradise and take out any guesswork as to how they’ll enjoy the landscape.

4. Mulch Drop

Selling mid-project or have a native garden that’s currently dormant? Don’t drop a ton of money on new landscaping that someone will ultimately tear out—drop mulch instead! The magic of fresh wood chips will revamp both front and backyard spaces. Start  by filling in borders and bare spots with a 2-inch layer of non-dyed organic material for a clean and intentional look. Not only will this look fresh, it will also aid in enriching the soil and preventing water loss, which is especially important if you’ve recently added any new plantings.

Thomas J. Story

5. Make Choice Landscape Additions

We don’t all have the luxury of selling during the garden’s prime spring flush, so a few intentional plantings will give a move-in-ready appearance while defining design. If you have a native garden and plants are currently dormant or pruned back, consider dotting a few fresh blooming natives or native-friendly flowers to help illustrate how the space will be filling in during future seasons. If there is dead plant matter on the property, remove and consider replacing it with something that looks best during your current selling season, and do not plant until a week or few days before the listing photo day.

6. Slim Down on the Sod

If you’re thinking of refreshing a grassy patch with some fresh sod just before the house hits the market, reconsider the space and try reducing the green footprint by at least 15-20%. While we understand that a bright patch of green makes your home look incredibly inviting, you can instead easily extend borders or create DG pathways for a budget-friendly and low-effort way to reduce the grassy area while maintaining a pleasing look.

Thomas J. Story

7. Repair and Stain Raised Beds and Other Garden Structures

Homes with dilapidated gardens seem more of an inherited chore than an exciting new chapter. Vamp up beds with a fresh coat of stain and make sure everything is in good working order. You want to pass off the gift of gardening on a silver platter and romance potential buyers with all the care you’ve taken tending to the land. If you have a greenhouse, consider styling it out with a few nursery plants. The more you can create a beautiful narrative for people, the more they’ll want to buy into it.

8. Plan out Season Vegetable Beds and Containers

It seems counterintuitive to plant the next season of produce in a garden where you won’t be enjoying the harvest, but you’ll be rewarded with a higher offer on your house. By planting out a few beds you’re creating excitement for the future buyer and a jump start to their new garden journey. People aren’t inspired by blank raised beds and pots, so lure them in with a clear vision of what’s to come.

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9. Create Plant ID Tags

Let’s face it, you must be pretty proud of all the hard work you’ve put into your garden. Now it’s time to show it off! While not every potential buyer will be plant-proficient, anyone can appreciate if fresh fruit or specialty plants will be inherited on move-in day. Take the time to label the types of fruit trees or native plants and order that sign for the certified wildlife habitat you’ve created. We like these copper plant tags that will look stylish while showcasing what your special garden has to offer.

10. Thou Shalt Not Install Fake Turf

Dealing with an entirely bare backyard? Don’t make the mistake that many flippers do; resist the urge to throw down plastic turf. Not only is it environmentally wrong, the cost of removal is a turn-off to many buyers. We would personally much rather take on a blank slate than someone else’s careless choices.

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