The first thing potential renters see when looking at your property is the front yard. That, and the front of the house itself, sets the tone for their expectations inside, so you want everything to look just right.

Creating a rental property with the right curb appeal means giving the yard regular attention. Especially as things are about to grow, it's worthwhile to create a spring yard maintenance checklist of things you can manage yourself. It ensures nothing will get overgrown and unkept as the flowers bloom and the grass comes back to life.

These 12 DIY options for your yard are perfect to add to that list as everything is about to turn green again.

1. Aerate your lawn

Spring is one of the best seasons to give the grass outside your rental property a little extra attention. When you aerate your lawn, you're helping the grass access the air, water and nutrients it needs to grow in thick and strong.

Aerating only needs to get done once a year, so buying an aerator to use at your own home and at your rental properties is an economic approach to this basic maintenance task.

2. Remove weeds

Even if your yard only has a few weeds here and there, they can mess with the curb appeal of your rental home. Scheduling in your spring yard maintenance means getting your lawn to look as lush and healthy as possible and that means saying goodbye to all weeds.

You can handle them with a chemical weed killer from the hardware store, dig them up yourself or even create your own homemade remedy. Once you've gotten rid of the weeds, if you noticed they congregated in a particular spot, consider mulching the area to keep them away.

3. Add flowers that keep working for you

When your spring yard maintenance schedule calls for flowers, planting the right type means less work for years to come. Opt for perennials rather than annuals when it comes to flowers.

Annuals may only flower once and you have to replant them each year to keep your yard looking the same. Perennials will continue to flower for seasons to come and many of them require minimal care.

4. Automate your watering schedule

If you already have an irrigation system installed in your yard, make this the spring you really use the timer. Adjusting the watering schedule for the needs of each season ensures your yard is getting the right amount of water and will thrive no matter how involved your tenants are with the grass.

If you don't have underground sprinklers, installing them is definitely not a DIY project. Instead, add a water flow timer directly to your hose and set it out in the middle of your yard. The timer will do the work for you as long as your tenants leave it alone.

5. Address gutters that puddle

Make sure to visit your rental home on at least one rainy day. If you notice puddling on your lawn from the downspouts of your gutter, there's something you can do. Leaving standing water on your lawn can kill grass, not to mention make things really muddy.

If this is an issue in your rental home, you can use rocks to create a spillway. Adding a neat bed of rocks will carry the water away from where it's puddling to a better spot on your lawn. They can also add a bit of variation in your landscaping that's appealing to potential renters.

6. Line walkways with solar lights

If your yard is already looking pretty nice but you notice a lot of potential tenants are viewing your rental property after it gets dark, you might want to install more lights.

Since many outdoor lights are solar-powered, installation is easy and there's really nothing to maintain once you've set them into the ground. Line your walkway, or even a flowerbed, for some curb appeal even in the evening.

7. Frame out your flower beds

If the landscaping already includes dedicated flowerbeds, but there's no real border between them and the grass, consider creating one when you're doing spring yard maintenance. You can do this with pavers, cement blocks or even natural stones. The installation for this kind of DIY project is a little time-consuming but once the border is in, you're done.

Make sure to measure before you go shopping for stones or bricks. If you need to buy a lot, you might want to consider renting a truck to shuttle the materials home. These items get heavy if you're getting a lot.

8. Highlight your mailbox

We all take the functionality of our mailboxes for granted. Yes, they hold the mail, but they're also a great spot to brighten up with some flowers. You can increase the appeal of your yard by planting a tight ring of flowers around your mailbox. Since most sit at the top of your driveway, this is the first part of your yard renters see.

Grab a few different colors for contrast and a bigger "wow" factor.

9. Lay a fresh layer of mulch

Over time, mulch dries out and fades. It also gets washed away during rain. Basically, if you don't apply new mulch at least once a year, you're doing your yard an injustice. Liven things up with a fresh layer in all your beds as you begin your spring yard maintenance. The deep colors available help make your plants and bushes look even more vibrant.

Putting in a two-to-three-inch layer of mulch across your beds not only keeps weeds away, but it helps the soil underneath stay moist.

10. Take some indoor plants outdoors

If you have the space on your porch, extend the greenery from your lawn all the way to the front door. Add some larger pots to the porch then take some already-thriving indoor plants outside. It's easy to make the transfer as long as you take your time moving plants out to full sun, protect them from the elements and water them regularly.

If you don't have tenants who are the best at front yard upkeep, you can aways get a few watering globes that don't need filling too often.

11. Install a birdbath

These ornate additions to any lawn can really catch the eye. Birdbaths also let you add a water feature to your yard without having to connect it to a hose. Place it strategically within sight of a prominent window and your tenants will have a constant parade of birds to look at as the warm weather draws them back.

12. Make a big statement

If the yard of your rental property looks a little barren, rather than planting a lot of shrubs or bushes, go for a bigger statement piece. Planting even one tree in a relatively open yard creates natural beauty that lasts a long time. Plus, they're pretty low maintenance when it comes to ongoing care.

There are a variety of trees that start out small and grow big and beautiful. And spring is the perfect time to plant.

A manageable spring yard maintenance list

Whether you tackle all or a few of these suggestions, your rental property's yard will thank you. You'll also be all smiles when it's easier to rent out the house, thanks to the green grass and colorful flowers that greet each potential tenant.