Gardening Tips for First-Time Homeowners
June 16, 2025
Getting into gardening doesn’t have to be intimidating. The right plants can add beauty to your lawn, boost curb appeal, and even put fresh food on your table.
Getting into gardening doesn’t have to be intimidating. The right plants can add beauty to your lawn, boost curb appeal, and even put fresh food on your table.
When working correctly, gutters direct rainwater off the roof and away from the foundation, preventing things like leaks, mold growth, wood rot, pest infestations, and basement or crawlspace seepage.
Easter is an underrated holiday. When most people are asked to pick their favorite holiday, Christmas gets a ton of love, and dressing up on Halloween is tons of fun no matter your age. No one ever thinks of Easter first, despite everything that it has going for it! The Easter bunny is a great mascot, and the light blue, pink, and yellow color scheme is unique and iconic. Okay, Christmas might still be the best holiday, but Easter is still pretty cool, too. One of the best Easter traditions that deserves a bit more recognition is, of course, the egg hunt. Whether set up as a free-for-all at the park, or with specially selected baskets for different family members in the backyard, there are many different versions of the classic Easter egg hunt and plenty of room for creativity. Some are under the misconception that the annual egg hunt is only for the kids, but this doesn’t have to be the case! If your egg hunts are a bit too bland or easy for your kids, or if you’d like to ratchet up the competition a bit this year, here are some outside-the-box strategies and hiding spots that should
Between wearing green, spotting four leaf clovers, and being surrounded by little men with red beards, St. Patrick’s Day is full of lighthearted and strange traditions for families and friends to enjoy. Everybody can always use a little extra luck in their lives, and throughout the years, families have come up with plenty of unique traditions to usher in some good fortune as they move into their new homes. In the spirit of the season, let’s take a look at some of these superstitions to make your next move jinx-free! Lay a Positive Foundation Depending on how early in the process people begin to interact with their new home, many believe in writing positive messages on the frames of their houses and behind the drywall, and even scattering coins in the foundation in hopes that good, fortunate days are ahead. These traditions may be traced all the way back to “foundation deposits,” where groups in ancient Egypt and Sudan buried sacrificed animals, valuable tools, and pottery underneath cornerstones of important buildings in blessing rituals (according to historians at the Egyptian Museum in Manchester). Today, items that new homeowners place within their foundation and in their framing are a bit more
Optimism in the housing market among Gen Zers and millennials is on the rise thanks to mortgage rate drops from the Federal Reserve (per reports at Business Insider). While this is great news for those who have been waiting to jump into the housing market, people who are waiting for lower housing prices are likely to be disappointed as mortgage rates are just one piece of the puzzle. A lack of inventory and high demand mean that housing prices aren’t likely to see a substantial change anytime soon, so when is the right time for a new homebuyer to start looking? For many reasons, it might be this spring! The Housing Market is SeasonalIt’s no secret that the housing market is largely seasonal, especially in regions that see a large amount of snow. The hassle of moving during inclement weather obviously isn’t ideal, plus homebuyers can have an inaccurate view of what the home and its neighborhood even looks like if it’s covered in snow. Because of these factors, warm weather tends to bring the busiest time of the year for real estate agents – but this doesn’t necessarily mean summer is the best time for everyone to buy a
Whether you’re moving into your brand-new home or you’d like to reinvent a space sorely in need of an update, keeping up with the latest interior design trends is crucial for anyone wanting to avoid a dated feel. Just as people change every year, tastes are bound to transform with new experiences and innovations. If you want your home to catch up with you in 2024, consider incorporating some of these styles into your layouts. The Continuation of Naturalism vs. the Rise of MetalHeading into 2023, we noted how one interior design trend was quickly rising in prominence, and naturalism certainly is having its time in the sunlight through 2024 as well! With this overarching style, warm, earthy tones incorporated into paint and furniture are meant to evoke the natural world surrounding the home for a cozy, welcoming atmosphere. This idea is great because of its inherent variety based on where the homeowner lives, whether they own a home tucked away in the mountains, in a dry, arid region, or they’re surrounded by sun and the beach. For many homeowners, constantly reinventing their homes to follow the latest shifts in style is not necessarily a habit they want to fall
There are so many reasons why people paint their homes. Maybe a room has gotten a bit stale and could use a new color, or nicks and scratches have been compounding the need for some serious TLC. A fresh coat of paint is a great way to solve these aesthetic issues, but paint has many other benefits for a home’s exterior! Good quality paint will help protect homes from the elements, insects, weather, and even wood rot. While a home should never be judged solely on its exterior, a tidy, attractive first impression is crucial for every home sale. Before getting too excited though, there are a few things every homeowner should know when considering a home exterior makeover. Pick the Perfect DayIf you are set on painting your home’s exterior yourself, it’s important to understand what you’re in for. Painting a home is a big job that should start a long before you pick up a brush or roller. Unlike interior jobs, a successful day of painting a home’s exterior is heavily dependent on the weather. Direct sunlight will cause paint to dry more quickly, and certain types of paint will thicken in colder temperatures. In addition, things like
Between work, school, family, and friends, life gets busy! You work hard, and you deserve a nice long break from time to time. But leaving your home for an extended period of time can be stressful. After a relaxing trip, no one wants to return home to discover a break-in or a maintenance disaster. Taking some precautions prior to your time away is the best way to ensure you’ll have peace of mind to enjoy your vacation to its fullest! Recently, insurance experts at The Zebra compiled the latest statistics regarding burglaries in the United States. According to their research, 2.5 million burglaries occur annually in the U.S. In other words, there are new victims of home break-ins every 26 seconds. Solid home security should be a priority for all homeowners. The good news is that there are proven strategies to keep your home safe and your valuables secure while you take that next trip. Here are a few strategies every homeowner should consider to keep their home secure while it’s empty. Invest in a Security SystemThe best thing that any homeowner can do is to get a smart home security system. According to an article from Forbes, 83% of
A bad storm can bring about so many repairs. From broken windows to downed powerlines and trees. All together, these things can quickly add up to be very costly. The best method of defense is to prepare for disaster before it occurs. Prior to storm-proofing your home, you’ll want to consider the types of inclement weather common to the area where you reside (i.e., blizzards in the Midwest versus hurricanes and floods in southern states). Based on that information, it’s easier to prepare for and prevent future issues that are most likely to occur. Warm Weather Problems In warmer climates, it’s more common to have issues resulting from high-wind storms and possible flooding (depending on how far south you live). To help weatherproof your home in these situations, it’s best to start by ensuring the solidity of your roof. Loose shingles are a frequent issue in areas where high windstorms are common. Making sure that you have a roof with a solid foundation is key. This can be accomplished in one of two ways. The best practice is to use a double layer of shingles that are no more than six inches apart, as this will prevent holes from forming
Trees are a great addition to any yard. They provide shade, a home for local wildlife, and even delicious fruits. But you do need to give your trees the right care to avoid them becoming a giant pain. Here’s what you can do to keep those saplings strong and healthy. Know your tree species better. There are close to 1,000 species of trees throughout North America, each one requiring different care instructions. If you haven’t had to care for trees before, it may seem a bit overwhelming. The good news is that a little bit of research can give you a better idea of how to care for the ones at your home. The internet, books, and even local lawn care professionals are great resources to reach out to. You’ll be able to find the best information on what to do and what not to do to keep your trees growing strong. Care for the ground around. Poor soil conditions can impact a tree’s root system and its ability to get the nutrients it needs. Avoid compacting the dirt at the base of the tree too much. This is common when people frequently park their cars underneath. Move your car
Getting into gardening doesn’t have to be intimidating. The right plants can add beauty to your lawn, boost curb appeal, and even put fresh food on your table.
When working correctly, gutters direct rainwater off the roof and away from the foundation, preventing things like leaks, mold growth, wood rot, pest infestations, and basement or crawlspace seepage.
Easter is an underrated holiday. When most people are asked to pick their favorite holiday, Christmas gets a ton of love, and dressing up on Halloween is tons of fun no matter your age. No one ever thinks of Easter first, despite everything that it has going for it! The Easter bunny is a great mascot, and the light blue, pink, and yellow color scheme is unique and iconic. Okay, Christmas might still be the best holiday, but Easter is still pretty cool, too. One of the best Easter traditions that deserves a bit more recognition is, of course, the egg hunt. Whether set up as a free-for-all at the park, or with specially selected baskets for different family members in the backyard, there are many different versions of the classic Easter egg hunt and plenty of room for creativity. Some are under the misconception that the annual egg hunt is only for the kids, but this doesn’t have to be the case! If your egg hunts are a bit too bland or easy for your kids, or if you’d like to ratchet up the competition a bit this year, here are some outside-the-box strategies and hiding spots that should
Between wearing green, spotting four leaf clovers, and being surrounded by little men with red beards, St. Patrick’s Day is full of lighthearted and strange traditions for families and friends to enjoy. Everybody can always use a little extra luck in their lives, and throughout the years, families have come up with plenty of unique traditions to usher in some good fortune as they move into their new homes. In the spirit of the season, let’s take a look at some of these superstitions to make your next move jinx-free! Lay a Positive Foundation Depending on how early in the process people begin to interact with their new home, many believe in writing positive messages on the frames of their houses and behind the drywall, and even scattering coins in the foundation in hopes that good, fortunate days are ahead. These traditions may be traced all the way back to “foundation deposits,” where groups in ancient Egypt and Sudan buried sacrificed animals, valuable tools, and pottery underneath cornerstones of important buildings in blessing rituals (according to historians at the Egyptian Museum in Manchester). Today, items that new homeowners place within their foundation and in their framing are a bit more
Optimism in the housing market among Gen Zers and millennials is on the rise thanks to mortgage rate drops from the Federal Reserve (per reports at Business Insider). While this is great news for those who have been waiting to jump into the housing market, people who are waiting for lower housing prices are likely to be disappointed as mortgage rates are just one piece of the puzzle. A lack of inventory and high demand mean that housing prices aren’t likely to see a substantial change anytime soon, so when is the right time for a new homebuyer to start looking? For many reasons, it might be this spring! The Housing Market is SeasonalIt’s no secret that the housing market is largely seasonal, especially in regions that see a large amount of snow. The hassle of moving during inclement weather obviously isn’t ideal, plus homebuyers can have an inaccurate view of what the home and its neighborhood even looks like if it’s covered in snow. Because of these factors, warm weather tends to bring the busiest time of the year for real estate agents – but this doesn’t necessarily mean summer is the best time for everyone to buy a
Whether you’re moving into your brand-new home or you’d like to reinvent a space sorely in need of an update, keeping up with the latest interior design trends is crucial for anyone wanting to avoid a dated feel. Just as people change every year, tastes are bound to transform with new experiences and innovations. If you want your home to catch up with you in 2024, consider incorporating some of these styles into your layouts. The Continuation of Naturalism vs. the Rise of MetalHeading into 2023, we noted how one interior design trend was quickly rising in prominence, and naturalism certainly is having its time in the sunlight through 2024 as well! With this overarching style, warm, earthy tones incorporated into paint and furniture are meant to evoke the natural world surrounding the home for a cozy, welcoming atmosphere. This idea is great because of its inherent variety based on where the homeowner lives, whether they own a home tucked away in the mountains, in a dry, arid region, or they’re surrounded by sun and the beach. For many homeowners, constantly reinventing their homes to follow the latest shifts in style is not necessarily a habit they want to fall
There are so many reasons why people paint their homes. Maybe a room has gotten a bit stale and could use a new color, or nicks and scratches have been compounding the need for some serious TLC. A fresh coat of paint is a great way to solve these aesthetic issues, but paint has many other benefits for a home’s exterior! Good quality paint will help protect homes from the elements, insects, weather, and even wood rot. While a home should never be judged solely on its exterior, a tidy, attractive first impression is crucial for every home sale. Before getting too excited though, there are a few things every homeowner should know when considering a home exterior makeover. Pick the Perfect DayIf you are set on painting your home’s exterior yourself, it’s important to understand what you’re in for. Painting a home is a big job that should start a long before you pick up a brush or roller. Unlike interior jobs, a successful day of painting a home’s exterior is heavily dependent on the weather. Direct sunlight will cause paint to dry more quickly, and certain types of paint will thicken in colder temperatures. In addition, things like
Between work, school, family, and friends, life gets busy! You work hard, and you deserve a nice long break from time to time. But leaving your home for an extended period of time can be stressful. After a relaxing trip, no one wants to return home to discover a break-in or a maintenance disaster. Taking some precautions prior to your time away is the best way to ensure you’ll have peace of mind to enjoy your vacation to its fullest! Recently, insurance experts at The Zebra compiled the latest statistics regarding burglaries in the United States. According to their research, 2.5 million burglaries occur annually in the U.S. In other words, there are new victims of home break-ins every 26 seconds. Solid home security should be a priority for all homeowners. The good news is that there are proven strategies to keep your home safe and your valuables secure while you take that next trip. Here are a few strategies every homeowner should consider to keep their home secure while it’s empty. Invest in a Security SystemThe best thing that any homeowner can do is to get a smart home security system. According to an article from Forbes, 83% of
A bad storm can bring about so many repairs. From broken windows to downed powerlines and trees. All together, these things can quickly add up to be very costly. The best method of defense is to prepare for disaster before it occurs. Prior to storm-proofing your home, you’ll want to consider the types of inclement weather common to the area where you reside (i.e., blizzards in the Midwest versus hurricanes and floods in southern states). Based on that information, it’s easier to prepare for and prevent future issues that are most likely to occur. Warm Weather Problems In warmer climates, it’s more common to have issues resulting from high-wind storms and possible flooding (depending on how far south you live). To help weatherproof your home in these situations, it’s best to start by ensuring the solidity of your roof. Loose shingles are a frequent issue in areas where high windstorms are common. Making sure that you have a roof with a solid foundation is key. This can be accomplished in one of two ways. The best practice is to use a double layer of shingles that are no more than six inches apart, as this will prevent holes from forming
Trees are a great addition to any yard. They provide shade, a home for local wildlife, and even delicious fruits. But you do need to give your trees the right care to avoid them becoming a giant pain. Here’s what you can do to keep those saplings strong and healthy. Know your tree species better. There are close to 1,000 species of trees throughout North America, each one requiring different care instructions. If you haven’t had to care for trees before, it may seem a bit overwhelming. The good news is that a little bit of research can give you a better idea of how to care for the ones at your home. The internet, books, and even local lawn care professionals are great resources to reach out to. You’ll be able to find the best information on what to do and what not to do to keep your trees growing strong. Care for the ground around. Poor soil conditions can impact a tree’s root system and its ability to get the nutrients it needs. Avoid compacting the dirt at the base of the tree too much. This is common when people frequently park their cars underneath. Move your car