10 Essential Garden Preparation Tips for Property Stylists: Maximising Kerb Appeal

As property stylists in the Southern Hemisphere, we understand that garden presentation can dramatically influence a property's perceived value. Research continues to show that a well-maintained garden can increase a property's value by up to 10 percent—a significant return on a relatively modest investment of time and resources.

When preparing your clients' gardens for market, these ten essential preparation tips will help you create that crucial positive first impression that motivates buyers to explore further.

1. Revitalise Water Features

Water features can be magnificent selling points or disappointing eyesores—there's rarely middle ground. Advise your clients to:

• Remove all algae, leaves, and debris from water features
• Clean or replace filters to ensure crystal-clear water
• Repair any pumps or lighting systems
• Consider adding water clarifiers if necessary for immediate results

A bubbling fountain or tranquil pond creates an atmosphere of serenity that resonates with buyers seeking a peaceful retreat. Conversely, a neglected water feature suggests ongoing maintenance issues—precisely what buyers want to avoid.

2. Address Irrigation Systems

A properly functioning irrigation system is a valuable asset, particularly in our Southern Hemisphere climate where drought conditions are increasingly common. Work with your clients to:

• Repair any leaking pipes, broken sprinkler heads, or control issues
• Update to more water-efficient systems where practical
• Create a simple one-page guide on system operation
• Include a recommended watering schedule based on seasonal needs

For properties with established gardens, emphasise to your clients that demonstrating a well-designed irrigation system can be a significant selling advantage, suggesting both garden health and water efficiency.

3. Create Professional Plant Identification

Transforming a garden from merely attractive to impressively curated can be as simple as adding plant identification. This approach:

• Elevates an ordinary garden to appear thoughtfully designed
• Helps buyers envision themselves maintaining the space
• Demonstrates care and attention to detail

Consider creating weatherproof labels for key specimens, particularly for unusual or valuable plants. For comprehensive styling, develop a beautiful plant catalogue featuring seasonal highlights, care requirements, and any notable specimens. This document becomes both a helpful resource and a sophisticated marketing tool.

4. Refresh Perennial Beds

Perennial gardens require strategic attention when preparing for market. Advise your clients to:

• Remove or replace any struggling specimens
• Divide overcrowded clumps to create fuller beds
• Add complementary plants to create visual balance
• Position decorative pots strategically to fill any gaps

If your clients wish to take special plants to their new home, have them remove these well before marketing begins and restore the garden's appearance with suitable replacements. Transparency about any significant plant removals is essential to maintain buyer trust.

5. Introduce Strategic Seasonal Colour

One of the most cost-effective garden enhancement strategies is introducing vibrant seasonal colour. Current trends favour:

• Native flowering plants that attract pollinators
• Drought-resistant colourful perennials
• Strategic colour placement near entry points and key viewlines
• Harmonious colour schemes that complement the home's exterior

When selecting plants, consider what will be blooming during the expected marketing period. In the Southern Hemisphere, timing seasonal displays requires forward planning—particularly for spring listings when garden presentation is especially impactful.

6. Revitalise Hard Surfaces

Over time, paths, driveways, and decorative hard surfaces accumulate dirt, moss, and stains that significantly detract from a property's presentation. Recommend that your clients:

• Power wash all paved areas, walls, and fencing
• Repair cracked concrete or loose pavers
• Restore faded timber decking with appropriate treatments
• Consider refreshing gravel paths with new top dressing

These relatively simple interventions deliver dramatic visual improvements and signal to buyers that the property has been meticulously maintained.

7. Ensure Plumbing Integrity

Garden plumbing issues can signal broader property maintenance problems. Prioritise:

• Repairing any leaking outdoor taps
• Replacing worn washers and seals
• Ensuring drainage systems function properly
• Checking rainwater collection systems if present

On inspection days, suggest running irrigation systems briefly before viewings to demonstrate functionality and create that fresh garden ambience that appeals to the senses.

8. Apply Fresh Mulch Throughout

Few garden interventions offer better value than a fresh application of quality mulch. This simple step:

• Instantly refreshes garden bed appearance
• Creates clean, defined edges and boundaries
• Suppresses weeds during the marketing period
• Signals attentive garden maintenance to buyers

Current landscaping trends favour natural, sustainable mulch options such as pine bark, tea tree, or eucalyptus mulch, which complement our Southern Hemisphere native garden aesthetic.

9. Conduct Professional Pruning

Overgrown or poorly maintained plants suggest neglect that extends beyond the garden. Help your clients achieve a polished look by:

• Removing dead or diseased branches
• Shaping shrubs to highlight architectural features
• Opening up views where appropriate
• Creating balanced proportions throughout the garden

Professional pruning transforms garden spaces, revealing the underlying structure and enhancing the property's overall presentation.

10. Curate Container Displays

Strategic container plantings offer flexibility and immediate impact. Advise your clients to:

• Position containers to highlight entry points and outdoor living areas
• Create varying heights and textures for visual interest
• Ensure all containers complement the home's architectural style
• Maintain consistent watering for vibrant health during viewings

Contemporary styling favours larger statement containers rather than numerous small pots, creating a more sophisticated, curated appearance.

Pre-Inspection Garden Preparation

Before each property viewing, remind your clients to:

• Water the garden approximately 30 minutes before inspections (earlier on hot days)
• Remove fallen leaves and debris
• Adjust umbrellas and outdoor furniture for maximum appeal
• Ensure paths and entertainment areas are immaculate

These final touches enhance the sensory experience for potential buyers, creating that crucial emotional connection that often leads to offers.

As property stylists, our role extends beyond the front door. By helping clients present their gardens as beautifully as their interiors, we create cohesive, appealing properties that stand out in competitive markets. These garden preparation techniques represent some of the most cost-effective investments your clients can make in their property's presentation strategy.