Springtime is finally here and there’s no better way to celebrate the end of a long winter than by sprucing up and redecorating your yard to make it a summertime destination for family and friends alike! Yard redecoration is one of the best and most cost-effective ways to raise the property value of a house, and even a minimal amount of effort can give your yard the equivalent of a facelift.

Of course, you can always go for the gusto, so to speak, by adding an above-ground or in-ground swimming pool to your backyard. The pool and surrounding yard landscaping will certainly change the appearance and usage of your outdoor space, and probably make you wildly popular with neighbors who might not have even known your name before! Whether you decide to go all-out or just want to keep it simple by planting a garden full of color, springtime yard redecoration can give you the look you want at a price that fits your budget.

One of the most popular solutions for those looking to enhance their property is a thorough yard landscaping. Whether you want to revamp your front yard so passers-by stop and notice, or emphasize the back yard for hosting parties and entertaining guests, yard landscaping is a low-cost exercise homeowners can participate in slowly but surely, during their spare time in the spring. Planting plants and bushes along the front yard will provide an instant upgrade on the appearance of your house and earn you kudos from neighbors (and perhaps jolt them into action with their yard landscaping as well!).

In the backyard, meanwhile, yard redecoration can entail anything from adding plants and bushes to planting a garden, the latter of which of course serves a dual purpose. Flower gardens are an attractive sight and will garner praise from all who visit your home; while a vegetable garden will also help you feed your guests! There aren’t many things more satisfying than growing and cooking your own vegetables.

There are many starter tips that should be noted by those embarking on a wholesale yard landscaping project. First of all, have a plan—know exactly what you want before you start digging and planting flowers or garden vegetables and buying seeds and mulch. Consult with friends who have undergone similar projects and take note of what you like and don’t like, how much you can budget for expenses, and how much time you will have to devote to your yard landscaping.

Know your property. This seems fairly obvious before and after the fact, but even the most well-meaning of people can suffer the homeowners’ version of finding their eyes are bigger than their stomachs. Understand what you have the space to do when you embark upon yard landscaping, how much time you have to devote to the work, and how much you’re willing to spend.

Lastly, keep detailed notes of your progress. This can be as simple as cataloging the day, quantity, and kind of seeds you throw out when planting a garden of vegetables or as involved as recording every step you take during an overhaul of the front or back yard. Landscaping is an ongoing process, in a good way. Physical activity out in the fresh air is good for your health, and you will undoubtedly feel a great sense of accomplishment once you start to see results. There will always be something more you can do to bolster the appearance of your property, and being able to refer back to your notes in future years will only help you improve your efficiency and timing. Good luck and make sure to have fun this spring!