During the winter, you didn't have to think much about your yard. Other than occasionally scattering road salt on your driveway or picking up debris after a storm, nature remained dormant until the spring sunshine arrived. Now everything is growing and blooming, which means your property might need a little help.

It's time to get your lawnmower out of storage and put on your yardwork gloves. When you've taken care of the most pressing outdoor projects, it's time to think about your curb appeal. A few new techniques could make your home the nicest property on the block, without requiring an expensive landscaping team to come out and flip your yard upside down.

Check out these five spring gardening ideas to spruce up your curb appeal and make your lawn care easier. You'll find that these tips are easy to do and budget-friendly, so you can get started on them as soon as the weather is pleasant enough to head outside.

1. Add New Mulch

Anyone who uses mulch around their bushes and flowerbeds knows it becomes flat and faded with time. The weather can wash mulch away and leave it looking lifeless, which doesn't do anything for your curb appeal.

It's worth your time to go to the nearest garden supply store and stock up on bags of mulch — or make your own with organic compost. Once you rake out the old material that doesn't cut it anymore, you can smooth the new mulch into place. It immediately brightens any garden or yard and defines where your grass and other plants meet. Plus, it helps retain water in the soil so hot weather won't immediately wilt your shrubs.

2. Learn How to Prune

Pruning can seem intimidating to some, but once you try it, you'll wonder why it ever made you nervous. Whether you have trees, shrubs or flowers, prune them at the end of winter to promote their growth and timely flowering.

After you remove damaged limbs, use shears to cut stems and branches down to where they meet the base of the plant. It may look drastic at first, but it encourages the plant to grow faster and without the hindrance of clustered branches or diseased stems.

3. Paint Your Planters

Think about any potted plants you have along your front porch, sidewalk or driveway. They might be the standard terracotta pots you can get at any garden supply store. Spruce up your curb appeal by painting the pots and planters with bright colors. Opt for outdoor paint that's either waterproof or won't fade in the sunlight for lasting impact. 

This is a fun craft for every family member or to use as an excuse for a party. Invite a few friends over for snacks and paint together. You can also paint as a family. Either way, you'll end up with a unique curb appeal that sets your house apart from the rest of the neighborhood.

4. Sculpt New Garden Beds

You might not enjoy the thought of growing plants in the same places as everyone else. Switch things up and build a raised garden bed that you can use as yard decor. They're like windowboxes, but for your yard. Plus, they help pro gardeners more effectively monitor soil pH, avoid weed growth and section out their plants.

Once you build a few with sturdy materials, decorate them as you please and have fun setting them up around your home. You could stack them into a pyramid shape against your house or use them to line your sidewalk. Whatever you do with them, they'll give you a different garden style than anyone else and provide a private space for your plants to grow.

5. Plan for Future Seasons

Give your home year-round curb appeal when you plan for future seasons and plant what will grow all year. Perennial flowers and certain shrubs will thrive in cold-weather climates, so you don't have to give up your gardening passion after summer ends. Think about what you'll grow and where those plants will thrive. With a little thought, there will always be something blooming around your home.

Gardening for Increased Property Value

What did you do last year when spring arrived? It left you wishing you had more style, so do something different this year. Build raised garden beds or host a flower pot painting party to get started on your home's transformation. With a little time and effort, you'll have lasting curb appeal that shows off how proud you are of your house.