Why Garden?

If you do everything in your yard to impress others, you are in for a sad revelation.

"Others" don't necessarily have the same vision you may have.

As an example: I lived in a very old grand Victorian home and much of the landscaping was equally as old. One prize was a rare Weigela bush at the corner of the house. When I sold the home, I spent much time explaining the history and significance of the heirloom things in the yard. Less than a month after the sale, the entire yard was bulldozed.

I was horrified at the disregard for the historical significance of the landscape. And then, I realized it was no longer my vision, my domain nor my labor and money.

The point of this article: Gardening should be done to bring joy to you and others as may happen but not to impress. I've seen this time and again when a gardener sells his/her home and the next residents either don't have the same taste or labor and financial resources.

Once in awhile, buyers are sold on a home partially because they love the gardens and landscaping. That's a plus for you both. Other times, a really dramatic and fully landscaped yard may turn off the average buyer.

Most of us have watched too many HGTV or DIY shows on landscaping. We assume they know everything we should or should not have/do. Remember, they don't live in your home!

I'm not of the school that thinks our homes and yards should be "vanilla" because some future home buyer doesn't want our taste. No wallpaper, no bright colors, no personal evidence real families live here, no yard ornaments, no this, no that because you want to appeal to every type of home buyer someplace in the future. That's no way to live life.

That fire pit you spent mega bucks building, the English garden that takes up your entire front yard, the blue picket fence that accents your shutters, the statue of an armless and nude "David" by the pool, the wildflower plot, and all are YOUR taste and YOUR decisions. These decisions should be made with you and your family's enjoyment in mind.

Here are some items that may affect the sale and asking price of your home. According to the buyer, it may be a plus or it may be a negative:

Pools: Both in-ground and above-ground pools - landscaping - the mechanics (filtering, piping, etc.) and the upkeep.
Water features: Fish ponds, reflecting pools, fountains, bird baths, water falls.
Wildflower areas: The location, the condition, weeds v. flowers, grasses, easily burned off.
Trees: Condition, size, shade v. sun, amount of mess from leaves, fruits, nuts, berries and sap.
Bushes: Security issues, shade v. sun, size, amount of maintenance required, pests.
Quantity: Labor & upkeep, cost to maintain, visual desire.
Hard scapes: Upkeep, visual desire, fit lifestyle (putting green, circular driveway, jungle gym, playhouse, climbing mountain, outdoor kitchen, etc.)
Out buildings: Condition, use, situated correctly, size and building materials.
Plants: Cause allergies, in the way of children's activities, high maintenance, age and condition and in relation to the home design.
Lawn grass: Too much or too little for the next person's lifestyle. Must be hand mowed. The greenspace issue.
And last but not least - cute stuff: Plastic stuff, hanging stuff, candles, statues, furniture, antiques, signs, feeders/houses, stones, paths, curtains, arbors, trellises, and mementos of trips.



It's much like having your home or yard on a tour. You are very proud of what you have done and you are sure others will see the benefit and appreciate your hard work and taste. I am able to appreciate an other's tastes and hard work, even if it's not my own. I enjoy that they are able to express themselves in their personal spaces and it brings them satisfaction. It doesn't necessarily mean I would pay my money to buy their space.

Keep in mind, you may have to do some modifications prior to selling your home or you may have to adjust the asking price, but today - your landscape should reflect who you are and what you enjoy. Yes, even that old bath tub filled with soil and planted with flowers. Or, the covey of pink plastic flamingos. Life is too short to leave out your own garden passion.