Company coming? Here are some quick ideas to spruce up your landscape before throwing a garden party or outdoor wedding. These tips also work pretty well if you're going on vacation or putting your home on the market.



Some of these ideas can be done in a few minutes, others take a little longer. In addition to the obvious chores such as mowing, pruning, trimming, edging and raking:

1. Remove leaves and sticks. A chipper/shredder can convert most small lawn debris to usable mulch or compost .

2. Prune dead or diseased limbs from trees and shrubs. Deadhead or remove spent annuals.

3. Clean up any edging that has started to look ragged from contact with mower blades or encroaching turfgrass. A power edger can quickly create clean lines.

4. Wash the driveway. Seal an asphalt drive if needed and if you have time. Concrete drives can be sealed, patched or cleaned also.

5. Clean the house itself, including brick or siding that are mildewed and areas of the foundation where rain may have splashed up mud. A pressure washer can can make quick work of a cleaning job. Make sure you use the proper nozzle to avoid damaging siding. Clean gutters and downspouts, too (inside and out).

6. Add a new layer of mulch to the planting beds and paths. For an even quicker fix, stir up existing mulch to make it look fresh.

7. Add containers with in-season flowering or foliage plants. These will help to draw the eye away from the spots you'd rather not have people looking at.

8. Clean and seal your deck, especially if your gathering will take place outdoors.

9. Install low voltage lighting for security and to highlight your home's best features.

10. Build simple enclosures for the "service" areas such as trash cans and utilities. Lattice or fence panels can be installed relatively quickly.

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