A recent Realty Times article explores a unique way to enhance your home’s appeal to buyers: planting an herb garden. Real estate studies have shown that a well-maintained yard or garden has a large effect on buyers, and may increase your home’s value up to 11 percent! Although an herb garden is a small addition, it helps demonstrate to buyers that your home is one where they can stay for years to come. Even if you are not planning on selling your home in the near future, an herb garden is a fantastic small hobby and a beautiful addition to your home.

In order to plan your herb garden, you need to consider two things:

Choosing Herbs

As you probably know, herbs have many uses, especially in cooking and home remedies to medical problems. Consider the following when choosing which herbs to plant:

Evaluating Your Soil

Analyzing your soil is important to the success of your herb garden. There are several things to consider when it comes to evaluating your soil. Drainage is the most important soil characteristic. Water should not stand or pool around your plants, as it can cause mold to grow and can severely damage or kill your herbs. You should also consider the amount of sunlight your plants will receive. Most herbs do well in full sunlight, but you will need to make sure you water regularly.

If, after evaluating and preparing it for planting, you think your soil still will not be suitable for herbs, buy some good potting soil and plant your herbs in 12- or 19-inch pots instead of in the ground. This is also a good option for people who do not have a yard to dig up! Also, by having your herbs in pots, you can enjoy your herbs year-round!

Herbs are a relatively low-maintenance aspect of gardening. They attract few pests, other than the occasional mite or aphid, and you will be able to enjoy the herbs for years to come, if you wish. Although simple, an herb garden can go a long way toward attracting potential homebuyers, and, in the meantime, enhancing your and your family’s life at home!