Spring is almost here, which means it's almost time for backyard parties, outdoor hangouts, and nights spent by the fire pit without freezing half to death. As you've been prepping your house for its first round of seasonal cleaning, planning out the trips you're going to take later in the year, and keeping up with your previously scheduled life, you may have procrastinated thinking ahead to home maintenance that will get your home spring-ready. (We know we have.) Luckily, there's still time to make the exterior of your home the envy of all your neighbors, and a delight for friends to visit come spring. We asked a handful of landscape professionals to share landscaping ideas that could easily be completed within a month, and they did not hold back. From DIY-friendly ideas to professionally-done jobs, the 11 landscaping ideas below will transform any yard, big or small, into the place to be this spring and summer. If that wasn't enough motivation to get landscaping, these additions will almost definitely add resale value to your property too. (Sure, a beautiful green yard does a lot for your curb appeal, but hardscaping adds personality and originality to your exterior, too.)From retaining walls to river rock borders, these landscaping ideas offer inspiration as we creep closer to spring. And the effort you put in will be so worth it when you can finally take advantage of your outdoor space again. Additional copy by Stefanie Waldek.Related StoriesPut In a Raised Herb GardenNeil Landino JrAnyone with a yard and even a tiny bit of a green thumb should be growing their own herbs for use in the kitchen. Even though it serves a practical purpose, your herb garden should look just as elevated as the rest of your yardand accomplishing that is easier than you think with a raised garden bed. "One long raised bed or container will be able to furnish fresh herbs easily," says landscape architect Janice Parker. There are many different types of beds you can opt for, from wooden to steel, to suit the style of your home, from wooden to steel.You can even find a ready-to-go kit that does the prep work for you. "The nice thing about a do-it-yourself raised bed kit or planter is that you can put it in the area of your garden where you will get the most sun and where it will be easy to water," Parker adds. While she suggests buying small herbs from a nursery rather than starting from seed, it's definitely possible to grow thriving herbs that way. Invest in a Fire BowlNeil Landino JrFor a relatively quick yard addition, Parker suggests adding a fire bowl to your landscape, especially if you have a smaller yard. "These features are typically gas burning, which is a big plus if you want easy clean up," Parker says. "Plus, they come in a wide variety of sculptural styles that can really enhance your landscape design aesthetic." Such additions can be seen as functional pieces of art for your outdoor space. But don't forget practical considerations. Parker emphasizes the importance of placing it close enough to the house (without it being a hazard) so you can still reach the WiFi! Create Rock BordersCourtesy of Borst LandscapeA river rock installation by Borst Landscape & Design.Karl Wahlberg of Borst Landscape & Design suggests putting in a river rock installation for an easy landscaping idea that can be completed in less than a month. "River rock controls any soil erosion, especially in the seasons of heavy rain, and helps prevent weeds," he explains. Plus, river rock borders are pretty low-maintenance and the natural material goes beautifully with any landscape. Plant a Pollinator Garden Courtesy of Borst LandscapeBorst Landscape & Design introduced this pollinator garden to a clients yard to attract beneficial insects and birds."Installing a pollinator garden is a colorful way to make a positive contribution to the environment," says Deandra Hanke, another expert from Borst Landscape & Design. Choosing to plant species native to your location doesn't just result in a beautiful yard, but it also promotes biodiversity and creates vital food sources for birds and insects. Install a Privacy ScreenCourtesy of Borst LandscapeA privacy screen, like this one installed by Borst Landscape & Design, can make spending time in your outdoor space more enjoyable.Nosy neighbors exist everywhereno one wants to be hanging out with their family or friends in their backyard and see their neighbor watching from their own property. Thankfully, green privacy "screens"created by a row of trees or bushes that block an area from viewcan go up a lot faster than you might think. Hanke points out that while installing a privacy border is a larger project, it can easily take less than a month to complete. "Options range from Arborvitae privacy trees to Skip Laurel shrubs, allowing for total privacy to be established in just a few days, depending on the size of your property," she adds. Eric PiaseckiDesigner Gil Schafer used pavers to create a clear pathway around this backyard, inspired by a Japanese water garden.Plot Beautiful PathwaysThe walkways in your yard and garden aren't just for practical purposesthey can provide visual interest too. "Designing transitions from a pool house with exterior hardscape, such as utilizing large scale stone and steps and pathways, you can navigate grade changes and at the same time create an architectural solution that is softened by landscape beds," Kurth says. "Details such as pebbles between the pathway joints add a modern Zen touch to the landscape and help to define the aesthetic."Courtesy of Betsy WentzBetsy Wentz added simple string lights above this rustic gathering area around the fire pit to bring in some enchantment.Incorporate LightingAn element that adds drama to the landscape is integrating the usage of lighting, which further extends the use of your landscape into the evening hours, Kurth says. Creating outdoor living spaces and finding ways to navigate tricky terrain expands your homes livable footprint, provides enjoyment, and blurs the boundaries between indoor and outdoor living. Remember: You can do this fairly easily with solar-powered lighting!Eric PiaseckiGil Schafer shows that a garden doesnt have to be pristinely manicured to look beautiful.Plant a Low-Maintenance, Sustainable Garden"Landscaping is that silent ambassador that speaks volumes about your home, creating that crucial first impression," says Gagan Saini, director of acquisitions at JiT Home Buyers. "An artfully landscaped garden is the x-factor that significantly uplifts your property's value." But many potential buyers arent going to want to put in too much effort to care for the garden, so low-maintenance features such as irrigation systems can help boost your home's value. "Here's something most people dont know: Sustainable landscaping practices can significantly increase property value," says landscape architect Bryan Clayton. "By implementing water-efficient irrigation systems, using native plantings, and opting for organic fertilizers, you demonstrate a commitment to sustainability. This appeals to environmentally conscious buyers and adds an extra layer of value."Annie SchlechterDesigner Peter Dunham was sure to take advantage of a yard this beautiful and designed multiple outdoor living spaces for his clients to enjoy. Develop Outdoor Living SpacesIndoor-outdoor living is all the rage, even in four-season destinations, so you'll want to build out an alfresco space for day-to-day use. The key is not to go overboardjust keep it simple. "If you're designing for enjoyment now and ROI later, just think of adaptable, functional elements," says design director Kevin Lenhartof the online landscape design site Yardzen. "In other words, focus on functional features like a fire pit area or flexible space like a patio, deck, or outdoor dining area that's adaptable to many potential buyers versus very personalized features like a putting green, elaborate water feature, or built-in pizza oven."Mike Van TassellA fieldstone wall by Carol Kurth doubles as a cooler.Make Difficult Terrain UsableIf you have a hilly property, go the extra mile to add retaining walls to create usable outdoor space. "Creating and revitalizing spaces with complicated terrain can transform an underutilized space and elevate a home in terms of enjoyment, lifestyle, and property value," Kurth says. "Our Oasis project [shown above] illustrates how a site with a steep grade change can be transformed with fieldstone retaining wallsone of which was used to create an oversized herb garden for meals alfrescoand a thoughtful verdant landscape."Julian Ungano and Tommy AgriodimasThe manicured lawn of this home by Lauren Wills makes the exterior look so elevated.Keep Up with MaintenanceThis may sound obvious, but when youre ready to list your homeor just to start entertaining outsidebe sure all your landscaping is impeccably maintained. Remember: First impressions are everything, and it's all too easy to let landscaping get away from you. "Proper landscape maintenance is essential. Well-maintained lawns, trimmed hedges, and weed-free gardens contribute to a polished and cared-for appearance," Clayton says.Working on a home project? Let us help!Follow House Beautiful on Instagram and TikTok.