For many people, just the act of digging in the soil can be very uplifting. But equally satisfying is the beauty a well-kept garden can add to your home. If you are thinking of selling your home, landscaping can actually increase your home’s “curb appeal” and “saleability.”

Even if you don’t consider yourself a green thumb, you can enjoy the art of adding colour and life to your garden. And, there are plenty of places to turn for tips and advice. Your local library or bookstore will have a variety of books and magazines to help you and the Internet has an abundance of gardening information as well.

Where to begin

You may be looking out the window at a lot of dead plants, leaves and debris leftover from the winter. The first job for most people will be a thorough clean up of your yard, planters and flowerbeds.

Create a plan

Take care to plan your garden before you start buying flowers and shrubs. Because garden centers are so busy at this time of year, it’s a good idea to bring along a sketch of what you want your garden to look like. Consider sunny and shady areas of your yard and decide where you want flowers, shrubs and vegetables to grow. Also be sure to think about a colour scheme, varying heights and widths of plants as well as blooming schedules. You don’t want the whole show to take place in early spring or summer.

Your local garden center can help you choose a combination of perennials, shrubs and annuals that will provide continuous colour throughout the entire growing season and into the fall. Many will even provide landscape design services free of charge provided you purchase the plants from them.

When to start

Once you start seeing tulips and other spring bulbs come into bloom, the soil is usually warm enough to start digging. The ground should also be thawed enough to divide and move perennial

flowers and herbs, plant shrubs and trees and to start rejuvenating your lawn. It’s also a good time to prune bushes.

Spring gardening tips

Here’s a few more tips to get your garden growing this spring – check with your local garden center for more advice:

Prepare your flower beds by deeply digging the soil and adding composted manure. Loosen heavy clay soil by adding peat moss.

Plant perennials now and enjoy them for years to come. Pay attention to different blooming times and plan for a sequence of color all season long.

Tidy up your spring bulbs by removing faded flowers. Don’t cut down the leaves of your spring bulbs until the foliage turns brown. Bulbs need their leaves to replenish food reserves for next year’s flowers.

Plant summer flowering bulbs such as Freesia, Gladiolus, Dahlias, Lilies and Anemones.

Plant annuals and vegetables once all risk of frost has passed.

Your garden can actually become an extension of your living space – outdoors. A well-planned and maintained landscape will beautify your home and provide an oasis for the senses.

This article is provided by local Realtors and the Ontario Real Estate Association for the benefit of consumers in the real estate market.

Have you ever wondered what it would be like living off the grid? I bet you have at one point or another, especially when your hydro bill comes in. The cost of living is on the rise, why wouldn’t you at least think about “greening” things up a bit?  A  trend of “homesteading” or “Green Living” is bringing a flood of Buyers from the Toronto and surrounding urban markets to our market here in Grey County in search of the ultimate hobby farm.

The growing demand for your hobby farm has created a growing niche in the real estate marketplace. Every year more and more people seem to be interested in energy efficiency/ shrinking their “carbon foot print” and living off the land. A higher demand for your hobby farm property or property with environmentally conscious buildings/ updates may mean you are able to sell faster and potentially get a higher selling price.

Have you considered some sustainable upgrades to your house and property?  The right upgrades to your home could offer value for re-sale when the time comes.  I would be interested to hear some of the green/ sustainable updates and changes you have made in your home. Leave a comment!

Not sure where to start?  What about an NRCan Energy Audit? If you are starting a large scale renovation why not consider consulting an Energy Auditor? These professionals can offer advice on heating solutions, insulation, lighting and much more which means lower energy costs … we all like that idea.

The Boynton Team at Re/Max High Country Realty offers free Market Valuations for your property. We market extensively to the Toronto and surrounding area and are long time members of the Toronto Real Estate Board.  We can even get you connected to an NRCan Certified Energy Auditor. Give us a call!

Here is a picture of a raised box portion of my vegetable garden from 2014. It worked out great!

According to the Realtors Association of Grey Bruce Owen Sound (RAGBOS), 20 properties sold in February 2015. By location they are: Flesherton (2), Markdale (2), Dundalk (3), Holland Twp (4), Glenelg (2), Proton (0), and Rural Grey Highlands being Artemesia (5), Osprey (2) and Euphrasia (0).

The average selling price for the month in these locations was $283,760.   With the “spring forward” time change this month it always takes a little getting used to.  It also means longer days are ahead of us and we are excited as we move into the Spring market. It is also a great time to think about a Spring clean. This is always important to assist in the selling process. Last year I was introduced to Norwex products by my good friend Sarah Hilkers. They are all natural cleaning products that actually work. I know what some of you are thinking, how can all natural products actually clean my house better than chemical ones? I do not know the answer but I have tried many of the products and am amazed at how well they do what they say they will do. If you are interested in finding out more info you can check out her facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/sarahhilkersnorwex. Don’t be afraid to book a party and earn free products!

A clean house will sell faster than a not so clean house. As a mother of 4 I understand how hard it is not only to clean your home but to keep it clean. Sometimes it is worth the little bit of extra money to hire in a professional. It’s a little easier to keep it cleaner starting from fresh. If you would like a checklist to help get you started your Spring clean email us at contactus@boyntonteam.com and we would be happy to send you a printable copy.   Until next time, get cleaning and don’t be afraid to check out and try the Norwex products, I promise you won’t be disappointed.

We belong to Alpine Ski club.Preferences:
1. More bedrooms and longer drive versus less bedrooms and close to hills.
2. Larger property in scenic area with a drive
3. willing to drive up to 30 minutes.

Price range: $6000 to $10,000 all inclusive.

Please contact Eric Silver at 416 487-9805

Please contact David and Nancy Packham at

519-272-2959 Stratford