Top 5 Hidden Benefits Of A Garden

Spring has sprung, and it’s not only peak selling season, but it’s also peak gardening time.

We take a look at the many benefits a garden can bring to any home.

1. Increase street appeal

Street appeal, otherwise known as kerb appeal, is the first impression your home makes when someone sees it from the outside. A lot of things can contribute to good kerb appeal: from the overall architectural style, presentation and condition of the property to a well-presented front fence. Even the smaller things that we barely notice, such as a painted letterbox, clean gutters, functioning flyscreens, inviting front door and doormat can add to kerb appeal. But then again, few things matter quite as much as the appeal of the front yard itself – and the state of the garden.

A good garden makes a great first impression for anyone who sees a home, including buyers and renters. And, there’s no doubt that this adds to its marketability.

Similarly, a bad front garden can detract from a property. A survey by Husqvana in 2011 showed that most real estate professionals agree, with 70% of real estate agents saying a neglected garden could actually lower the value of a property by 5% to 15%.

Keeping on top of the basics in your front garden, including making sure it’s weed-free, tidy and green, can give you a great return on investment, whether you do it yourself or hire the experts.

In our experience, getting your garden professionally designed by big-name landscape designers (such award-winning Ocean Road Landscaping, famous for Sunnymeade in Anglesea) can be a big selling point for some buyers. It can also give your property the ability to stand out from the crowd and provide some genuine “wow” factor when it comes to street appeal.

2. Add value

Australians like to spend time outdoors, particularly here on the Surf Coast. Increasingly, a lot of us see gardens and backyards as an “outdoor room” that can be just as important as the house itself.

Right now, as lifestyle dominates real estate, big backyards and swimming pools are more popular than ever – with “pool” topping the list and “outdoor area” coming in third place on realestate.com.au’s list of most popular search terms (home office is stuck in the middle of these at number two). So buyers and searchers clearly place a lot of emphasis and importance on the outdoor areas a home has.

Landscaping – and the ‘liveability’ of the garden area – can be a big part of this. While it’s hard to quantify, some experts say that good landscaping can add 15–20% and even up to 25% to the value of a home.

Similarly, a US study undertaken by Michigan University revealed that a well-designed garden could also add 5% to 11% to the value of a home. Another study by Clemson University found that improving your garden from ‘good’ to ‘excellent’ could elevate the property’s price by 6% to 7%.

Check out this amazing permaculture garden in Torquay and read more tips on how to care for your Surf Coast garden here.

3. Boost your mood and health

Gardens aren’t just good for selling houses, they’re also good for our mental health. Looking at a gorgeous garden can be inspiring and make our spirits soar, but many studies have also shown gardening actually has significant psychological benefits. Spending time in the garden has a “soothing impact on conditions like stress, anxiety, tension and fatigue,” according to the ABC.

So it’s no surprise that gardening became even more important during the pandemic. In fact, a survey by Sustain: the Australian Food Network of 9,000 people during COVID-19 found that 70% said growing food had significantly or greatly improved their mental health, and more than 80% said gardening during the COVID-19 period had been very important to them.

Gardening has also been shown to improve relaxation and enjoyment, self-esteem and concentration. It can also help forge social bonds (particularly if you share produce, skills, or attend a community garden) and is great exercise.

4. Help the environment

A garden is a small but practical way to offset a little of your carbon emissions and help the environment.

• Through the process of photosynthesis, plants in your garden decrease carbon dioxide and increase oxygen.
• A healthy lawn can improve air quality by trapping dust and other airborne particles.
• Planting flowers in your garden will attract pollinating wildlife, such as butterflies, bees or birds.
• Gardens can help prevent soil erosion, heat islands and even noise pollution.
• If you plant natives, your garden can become an extension of the local habitat and encourage biodiversity or provide food and a corridor for wildlife.
• Rain gardens can prevent flooding and filter runoff water.
• Strategically planting trees on the sunny (or windy) side of your property can provide shelter and insulation, reducing heating or cooling costs.
• Composting can be a great way to reduce your household waste and save on fertiliser.

5. Save you money

From growing cut flowers to propagating plants and selling them or cultivating your own vegetables, there are many ways gardens can save you money. We’ve seen a rising trend for veggie gardens since COVID-19 hit and established, well-maintained veggie beds are usually a selling point for lifestyle buyers in our area.

Having a veggie garden can save you money, depending on what you grow and how successful you are at harvesting a good crop. Remember to factor in set-up costs such as soil improvement and contingencies like fungus or caterpillars, possums, or simply a low yield.

If you’re keen to chase the dream of saving money by growing your own veggies, the top crops to grow are herbs and salad leaves, both of which tend to have a high price tag and short shelf life but are required in many meals.

We don’t think you can put a price on the satisfaction of seeing your own crop on the dinner table.

Want more?

If you’d like to find out more about buying or selling property here on the Surf Coast, get in touch.