It’s official. Summer is over. Put those white pants away (full disclosure: I am wearing white pants today!) and dig out cozy sweaters for chilly temps. Your wardrobe aside, it’s also time to remind your residents to turnover their summer yards and prep for fall. HOA or PMC Administrator tip: Share a few of the ideas below in the news and announcements section of your site. It’s easy to update and it’s a great way to show your residents that you’re engaged with their needs. You can add in local resources or specifics too.
- Aerate your lawn. Most big box home improvement stores have rental aerators available for a nominal cost. Share the cost with a few neighbors and get er’ done.
- Gather any fruit that’s dropped from trees. Those apples or peaches will rot and can introduce disease.
- Light it up. Landscape lights are a great way to add curb appeal to your home. And since it will start getting dark sooner, the lights will help ward off those gloomy afternoons, light up pathways and walkways, and extend those outdoor dinners and parties a wee bit longer.
- Plan out where you want to plant trees and shrubs. Do you need more shade or more privacy? Think about how you can use landscaping to increase energy efficiency, attract birds and butterflies, and create an outdoor larger living space, among other things. The National Association of Realtors has a helpful report on the value that outdoor landscaping brings to a home.
- If you’re really ambitious, start thinking about where you want to plant spring bulbs. You can put bulbs in (for the most part) from September until the ground freezes.
- Watch water levels. Check with your local nursery to see how much water lawns and trees need in the fall and winter.
A few other ideas:
- Make it a neighborhood event. Send out a text message and rally folks to do yard cleanup on the same day. Encourage those handy guys and gals with a shed full of tools and equipment to share with neighbors.
- Ask an enterprising young kiddo to set up a lemonade stand.
- Use this opportunity to take pictures of the camaraderie, and grab a few snaps of new families or residents to share on your website.
Great landscaping throughout the community can significantly improve overall resident experience. For additional tips on improving resident experience within your community, download our free six-step guide.
