Nice Yard, Nice Block

An important part of the community is living in and around other people. Keeping your home and neighborhood tidy helps people feel a sense of comfort. It starts with you leading by example. People will notice, and it might make them change too. None of the examples in this article cost a lot of money, but they do take a little bit of time.

Keeping your front yard clear and tidy is an easy way to lead by example. Plants and shrubs are cheap and go a long way at making your yard look neat. Most cities make you take care of the sidewalks around your house. In the summer this means keeping weeds cleared away. In the winter this means to keep snow cleared away as soon as possible. A tidy and stain free driveway also looks good.

Seasonal jobs around the house can be important too. In the summer, keeping your lawn mowed and the weeds in control goes a long way. Fall time means raking leaves. In the winter safety comes into play. It is very important to clear snow from sidewalks and driveways as soon as you are able. People can slip and fall. Springtime doesn’t need much, but you will want to make sure mud and puddles aren’t making slippery conditions.

Sometimes picking up outside of your yard can help lead by example. Keeping after your pets in your yard and on walks keeps neighbors happy. Save plastic grocery bags and take two with you. One to cover your hand and one as a waste bag. It is not just pets, picking up trash along a nightly walk or keeping storm drains clear will go a long way at cleaning your neighborhood. Sometimes a senior neighbor might need some help picking up litter too.

Neighborhood clean-ups are a great way to connect with neighbors and make the block shine. You will want to talk with your neighbors and local government to start. Adopting a local highway or expressway is another great networking and clean-up event. Many organizations like churches, scout groups, and school adopt roadways to pick up waste.

Reporting of areas that need cleaned-up can help spread the word. Maybe officials are not aware of the problem or people have not made enough of a fuss. Reporting graffiti might create a chance for street art to go up. Being active in community planning is a way to stay self-empowered and build a comfortable community.
 
A tidy home helps make a welcoming community. It starts with you leading by example. It might take a while to see the results, but it will not go unnoticed. Luckily, none of these ideas cost a lot of money and might even be fun.