If you’re planning to sell your home, chances are you’re busy decluttering, organizing, and updating the inside to make it picture perfect. But since buyers first see the front of the house when viewing online photos and visiting, you’ll want to make a good first impression there, too.

Like a beautifully wrapped present, a front yard that is neat and welcoming will attract more people who’ll want to see the inside.

Whether your plans include selling your home or just getting your yard ready for summer fun, here are a few tips to do now to have it looking its best when warm weather arrives.

1. Remove Lawn Debris. Clear away leaves, twigs or debris that may have accumulated over the winter.

2. Fertilize: Apply a fertilizer formulated for spring to enrich the soil and help your lawn to grow faster, stronger and greener.

3. Apply Weed Control: Spreading a pre-emergent weed control in late spring and applying consistent applications to your lawn will gradually eliminate weeds and build resistance to them.

4. Trim and Prune: Remove dead or damaged branches from trees and shrubs to promote overall plant health and create a more attractive appearance.

Here are a few tips for the best time to prune:

• Summer-blooming trees and shrubs should be pruned in early spring. (Examples: butterfly bush, rose of Sharon, crape myrtle, hibiscus, gardenia, rose, poplar, spruce, juniper, sumacs, arborvitae, juniper, holly and fruit trees such as apple).
• Spring-blooming trees and shrubs should be pruned after they finish blooming. (Examples: forsythia, lilac, azalea, rhododendron, mountain laurel, dogwood, birch, elm, walnut, and flowering cherry trees).

5. Mulch: Add a fresh layer of mulch around flower beds and trees to retain moisture, suppress weeds and give your yard a neat, polished look.

If you’re considering selling your home, your Long & Foster agent will be able to provide tips on what to do to get your home looking good inside and outside. Alternatively, if you’re planning to buy a home, your agent can help you prepare to make a winning offer.