Landscaping involves the addition of plants, changes to the terrain and the construction of structures. It is important to use environmentally friendly hardscapes, preservatives, stains and paints.
It is also crucial to know your limits. For example, if you live in the northeast, creating a sandy Zen garden may be unrealistic for your property. For more information, click the Landscaping Baltimore to proceed.
Curb appeal is the degree of attractiveness that a property’s exterior conveys to passersby. It includes the appearance of a house, lawn, driveway, sidewalk, and any other feature on the property. Landscaping curb appeal involves maximizing the beauty of these features and minimizing any problems to create an inviting first impression. This effort can make a huge difference in the number of people who stop to take a closer look at your home and may even increase its value by up to 7 percent according to one study.
The first step in landscaping curb appeal is to declutter your front yard. This simple, inexpensive project can be done in a day or two and makes a big difference in the way people perceive your home. Trimming and pruning shrubs and trees is also an easy way to add instant appeal. Next, choose a color scheme that complements your home’s paint or siding. For example, a blue or gray house with red trim looks best with flowers in a mix of purples, pinks, and yellows. Finally, install a walkway to the front door and line it with plants for an attractive and welcoming effect.
Edging helps to keep flower beds tidy and prevent grass from invading. Another simple and cost-effective project is to line these beds with a low-profile border that’s made of pavers, cobblestones, bricks, or concrete slabs. These can be stained or stamped with a design for added appeal.
Many people who are interested in improving their landscaping curb appeal may overlook the importance of paying attention to the architecture of their home. A cottage garden complements a farmhouse or country-style building, while a spare, modern garden sets off a more contemporary structure. If you’re unsure how to coordinate your yard’s colors and plants with the style of your home, consult a professional designer.
If you’re thinking about selling your home in the future, consider choosing plants that will be attractive in all seasons. Many potential buyers aren’t avid gardeners, and they might be turned off by an elaborate landscape that requires lots of maintenance. Instead, opt for simple plantings like petunias that don’t litter their petals or seed pods and shrubs that look good in winter.
Environmental Benefits
Landscapers know that creating and maintaining a healthy environment provides benefits beyond adding curb appeal and beautifying the property. Responsible landscaping makes a real difference in sustainability efforts on a global scale, improving water quality and air purity, controlling noise pollution, and building up physical and emotional health.
The world’s forests absorb roughly 1/3 of the planet’s carbon dioxide each year, and plants in general help to purify polluted city air. The leaves of trees (and other plants) are able to trap pollutants like smoke, ozone, and nitrogen oxides in the pores, so they don’t get into the atmosphere and damage the environment. When you add landscaping to your home, choose shrubs and trees with large leaves or broad fronds that can catch these gases.
Landscaping can also improve soil quality and stability, making it less likely to be eroded during heavy rainstorms. Landscaping techniques like bioswales and rain gardens can prevent stormwater runoff from contaminating local water supplies. They also reduce the amount of chemical pollutants that are washed into lakes, rivers, and streams.
Sustainable landscaping practices use native plants and other low-water-use vegetation to minimize the need for irrigation. They also try to limit the use of fertilizers and pesticides, which can be harmful to humans and animals.
Maintaining a sustainable yard isn’t just good for the environment, but it’s also good for your wallet. By using drip irrigation to keep your plants hydrated and planting drought-resistant shrubs, you can reduce your water bill significantly. And by reusing rainwater, you can further cut down on your water usage.
Another way to save money is by choosing repurposed materials for your landscaping projects, such as paving stones and bricks, recycled woods, and even old tires. These can help reduce the need for new materials and labor to create a beautiful outdoor space.
Offering sustainable landscaping services can give you a competitive edge in the industry. People are increasingly concerned about the environment and want to work with companies that share their values. By embracing green practices, you can promote a positive reputation in the community and attract more clients.
Health Benefits
Landscaping is a popular way to improve the appearance of property and add value to homes and businesses. The practice also offers many health benefits. A well-maintained landscape can reduce stress levels, boost moods and even help save on energy costs. In addition, trees, shrubs and grass create habitats for beneficial wildlife and promote air quality.
There are many different types of landscaping, but the two most common are hardscaping and softscaping. Hardscaping refers to any ‘hard’ landscape elements such as concrete, decking and paving while softscaping includes all plants, trees, grass, flowers and shrubs.
Many people enjoy gardening as a relaxing pastime. This activity provides a creative outlet, and it can also be physically challenging. However, it is important to choose the right plants and design your garden carefully. This will ensure that your garden is healthy and safe for children and pets.
Several studies have found that a person’s health and wellbeing can be improved by spending time in nature. Some of the most significant health benefits include a lower risk of depression, lessened symptoms of anxiety and reduced blood pressure. Studies have also shown that walking in a landscaped garden can help lower blood pressure and heart rate, while increasing concentration and ability to perform tasks.
Landscaping can help preserve and protect the environment by reducing water runoff and erosion. It can also reduce the amount of pollutants that enter local rivers and lakes. This is because plants naturally filter and absorb nutrients and minerals, such as phosphorus and nitrogen.
A good landscaping plan will include a variety of plants and trees, which will provide shade and reduce cooling costs. It will also increase air circulation, which can help reduce the incidence of respiratory problems. It is also important to use water wisely when creating a garden and maintain proper soil conditions.
A well-maintained landscape can provide a tranquil setting for relaxation, play and rest. It can also be a great place for family and friends to gather. In today’s fast paced society, it is important to have places where we can escape and unwind. A beautiful landscaped garden can provide all of this and more.
Property Value
A well-maintained lawn and garden with vibrant flowers is a great first impression on potential buyers. This is the first thing they see when viewing a property, and it can influence their decision to schedule a home tour. A house that is well-maintained and landscaped will usually sell for more than a comparable home in the same neighborhood with no landscaping or poorly maintained landscaping.
In addition to the aesthetic benefits of landscaping, it can also add value to your home by increasing its energy efficiency and decreasing your insurance premiums. For example, trees and bushes can provide shade in the summertime, helping to reduce cooling costs, and they can block wind in the winter, lowering heating costs. Adding low maintenance shrubs and plants that require less watering will further decrease your utility bills.
Another way to increase the value of your home is to add a patio or pergola to your backyard. This provides an extra living space for entertaining, and it can be a big selling point when it comes time to sell. Many homeowners also invest in a garden shed or other outdoor storage spaces to add more storage to their home.
According to a survey by Husqvarna, 84% of real estate agents believe that a well-maintained yard increases the home’s value. This is because it allows potential buyers to visualize the full potential of the space.
Landscaping can also help you increase the resale value of your home by making it more appealing to aging homeowners and families with children. By focusing on a garden design that includes a variety of plants and flowers, you can attract the widest range of customers.
While a swimming pool may seem like a large investment, it doesn’t add as much to your home’s value as the right trees and flowers do. Even if you aren’t planning to sell your home anytime soon, it’s worth investing in your landscape so that it looks beautiful all year round. Contact Southern Landscape Supply today to find out how we can help you enhance your landscaping to increase the value of your property.