Curb appeal is among a home’s most important assets, offering the best return on investment for your landscaping dollars. The key to curb appeal is good design, but what works for one residence won’t do for another.

When it comes to real estate, first impressions matter. A well-maintained and attractive garden can significantly enhance the curb appeal of your property, making it more appealing to potential buyers and increasing its overall value.

There’s a keen satisfaction that comes from tending to one’s own garden or orchard, and with an increased interest in self-sustainability as of late, it’s no wonder homeowners are turning to their own garden plots for dining inspiration. From vegetable gardens to orchards and olive groves, there’s little else quite like harvesting a bounty from your own property.

The right space and conditions are needed to achieve farm to table dining at home, and these five luxury properties are all set with spectacular garden plots to make it possible.

Beautiful residential gardens are the green equivalent of surround sound. They envelop, intensify, and enrich the very experience of being. It’s like an embrace from nature.

The opportunity to interact with the landscape provides homeowners with a sense of belonging. “The more personal, the more meaningful,” says Edward Furner, landscape designer and horticulturalist at Mariani Landscape in Lake Bluff, Ill. “Engaging in the landscape—that’s the ideal scenario where homeowners are reaping the biggest benefit.”

If you’re considering selling your house, curb appeal is crucial. Good landscaping not only beautifies your home, but also increases its value. Depending on your area, a well-planned lawn and garden can increase your home’s worth by as much as 28%. Even if you’re not planning to move, garden design is an investment in your home. Though it might take a few years to reap full benefits as plantings mature, think of it as a venture that grows over time.