April is National Lawn & Garden Month

April is National Lawn & Garden Month, a time to celebrate the beauty of nature and the importance of maintaining our outdoor spaces. Springtime serves as a reminder that it’s time to start thinking about planting and lawn care again, as the trees start to bud and rebirth is prevalent. Of course, Earth Day reminds us that taking care of our “home” on a wider scale, and is an opportunity to raise awareness about making positive changes for our planet. If you are still renting from a landlord, and have no control over your outdoor space, or if you don’t even have an outdoor space to maintain – we can help change that. Spring is a great time for renters to consider the benefits of owning their own home, as historically more homes for sale are listed in the spring.

First and foremost, owning a home provides a sense of stability and security that renting simply cannot match. When you own a home, you have the freedom to make it truly yours, with the ability to paint the walls, remodel the kitchen, or install a backyard pool. You also have the peace of mind that comes with knowing that you won’t have to move every few years when your lease is up. Of course their are advantages like building equity, the benefits of a long-term investment, tax deductions, and stabilized payments not subject to the whims of the rental market.

When you own your home, you have the freedom to create your own outdoor oasis, with a backyard patio, vegetable garden, or flower beds. You can also take steps to make your home more energy efficient, such as installing solar panels or planting trees to provide shade. Maintaining a prestigious lawn is often a friendly neighborly competition, and we’ve got a pro-tip for you. Leave those clippings in the yard. Not only do they smell wonderful, but they also serve as cheap lawn food. Do you need a fence for your furry friends? A firepit for those cool evenings? You get to decide, because it’s all yours.

If you’re considering homeownership, talking with a mortgage broker is an important first step. At Acadia Lending Group, we have many resources for first-time homebuyers, to set you up for success. One of our best resources is our First Time Home Buyers Guide, which you can download free of charge after answering a couple brief questions! You can also give us a call and speak to one of our expert mortgage advisors.

Already have a home or a space that you are allowed to alter? Before diving into any landscaping projects, it’s a good idea to create a plan with your priorities for the space. Start with a good clean up, clearing out any overgrown or dead plants or trees. This will give you a fresh start to work with and make it easier to visualize what you want to do with your lawn or yard. Keep in mind that the health of your lawn or garden depends on the quality of the soil – if the soil is poor, it will be difficult to grow healthy plants. Improve the soil by adding organic matter such as compost or manure, as it helps to provide nutrients to the plants and encourage healthy growth. Adding hardscape elements such as a patio, walkway or retaining wall can add both functionality and beauty to your lawn or yard. These elements can create a defined space for outdoor entertaining or relaxation. Whatever you choose to do, make your outdoor space representative of your personality and favorite leisurely activities, and you’ll spend more valued time in a habitat of your own.

How To Observe Lawn & Garden Month:

• Do a “Spring Cleanup” outside your home.
• Schedule a lawn care professional to visit your home.
• Go shopping for herbs, flowers, and garden vegetables.
• Give your lawn mower a tune-up.
• Start setting up outdoor patio furniture (if it was put away for the winter).
• Make a decision to start compositing – this helps to not only reduce waste, but turns your food scraps into a valuable source of nutrients for the soil.
• Visit a local garden! Boothbay’s Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens is an excellent choice that offers tours several months of the year.
• Just enjoy time outdoors! We all know how beneficial sunshine and fresh air can be to our mental and emotional well-being.
• Limited space? Grow a “container garden” – these can be placed on a porch if you don’t have yard space.
• Visit a local Farmer’s Market. In Maine, there are some nearly every day of the week. Locate a local one here!