How to Landscape Ranch Style Homes

Ranch style homes are a combination of the prairie-style which has been designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and the Spanish Hacienda. The original ranch style homes were designed by Cliff May and were built in 1932 in San Diego, California. There are a couple of characteristic features of the ranch style homes such as gable roof, horizontal layout and multiple large windows. Ranch style homes, also called ranchers, were designed in terms of casual California living, so you have to prevent a couple of formal elements when it is time for you to add curb appeal to the house.

Step 1

First of all you have to remove all of the debris that has been existed in the front yard such as trash, animal waste and a couple of toys of your children.

Step 2

And then you have to rake up debris in planting beds and after that you can lay down a 3-inch layer of mulch and you can put it around the plants.

Step 3

It is better for you to use a hose or long handled brush in order to clean under the eaves. Ranch style homes typically have wide eaves which can harbor insects easily. After that you have to remove other bug debris and any cobwebs.

Step 4

In this step you have to repaint or power-wash the front door and porch railings. A new coat of paint can be used to help you make the entry area larger and more welcoming and comfortable because traditional ranch style homes have small front porches.

Step 5

Next step is you have to replace and remove any dying and dean plants. After that it is better for you to prune those plants that are overgrown. A rounded profile should be given to shrubs in order to help soften the edges of the ranch style homes.

Step 6

It is perfect to create curved planting beds in order to show relief to the straight lines of the ranch style homes. You can change the straight borders to curve by using edging if you have flower beds.

Step 7

You can fill the beds with colorful shrubs which will draw the eye away from the long and low silhouette of the rancher. Buy shrubs which will remain small so they do not overpower the rancher’s low windows. One thing that you have to consider is boxwood that grows well in the shade which is provided by the eaves of rancher.