Summer Landscaping Tips

Now that summer is here, it’s a good idea to look at the landscaping around your home. Depending on what part of the country you live in, summer can be one of the most challenging seasons for maintaining landscaping and lawns. The hotter it gets, the more detrimental it is for your plants and lawns because the soil dries up. Plants have the tendency to wither if they are not hydrated properly. This can be a challenge if you live in an area where water restrictions are imposed.

Why is landscaping so important? It creates curb appeal that can help you to sell your home. It can also add value to your property, which is always a good thing. However, the wrong landscaping and/or unattractive, withering, and dry landscaping can prove to be detrimental to the sale of your home.

Consider the following tips to keep your home’s landscape hydrated and looking lush and beautiful during the summer months:

·        Look for signs of plant and lawn dehydration early. It is essential to determine whether or not your landscaping is showing signs of dehydration. If plants are wilting and growth is slow, you should tend to your landscaping immediately. Other signs of dehydration include yellowing leaves, browning leaf edges, and the upward curling of grass blades.

·        Mow the grass frequently. Also, mowing the grass as tall as you can allows the grass to draw moisture from a bigger volume of soil, resulting in the need for less watering. Mowing the grass to heights of three to three and a half inches means that the lawn has a better chance of surviving a long drought period.

·        Water your lawn and plants during the appropriate times. The best time to water a lawn is from 6am to 8am when water pressure is highest and water evaporation is lowest. You should not water your lawn during the middle of the day and windy conditions. When you know the best time for irrigation, you can conserve water.

·        Keep the dirt near the foundation of your house moist. When the dirt is dry, the foundation can have the tendency to crack. This can be very costly to repair, so make sure the dirt is semi-wet.

·        Control the growth of weeds. First, inspect for weeds to spot any growth early. Next, look into lawn treatments for weed control. You will need a pre-emergence weed control treatments and post-emergence treatments.

You can still have a beautiful lawn and landscaping that will wow potential buyers this summer. Be smart about your solutions to keep your landscaping looking great during the hot months!

How Landscaping Improves Curb Appeal

Your landscaping should add functionality and enhance the curb appeal of your property. Good landscaping can increase the resale value of your property by up to 7%. It will also facilitate a quick sale. But don't landscape with the sole objective of improving your home's value. When you landscape, your main concern should be increasing your own enjoyment of the space.

In this article, we will share the vital elements of good landscaping that adds value and provides enjoyment to the owner and potential buyers.

Trees

Trees provide shade. They keep your home cool during the hot summer months and reduce your energy bills. Trees also improve the air quality. They absorb the carbon dioxide from the air and release oxygen. They also prevent soil erosion and retain the fertility of your soil. Trees are also known to reduce stress levels. Your trees may even increase the value of your neighbor's property.

In order to add resale value, the tree has to be healthy and mature. Trees that are native to the region have higher value because they don't require much maintenance. According to the US Department of Energy, two or three trees that are properly placed can save up to $250 in annual energy bills.

By planting windbreaks, you can also reduce your heating bills.

Native plants

If you are planning to add plants, trees or shrubs to the yard, opt for the native ones. They thrive well in their natural habitat. Native plantings can increase your home's value. They are also beneficial for the wildlife because they create a natural habitat for birds and butterflies.

Rain gardens

Rain gardens featuring native trees and plants are attracting buyers because they offer protection from extreme weather that plagues many states. These gardens can prevent rain water from seeping into the basement. Rain gardens can even reduce flood insurance premium.

Outdoor lighting

Good outdoor lighting is one of the most desirable outdoor features. It is also a great landscape essential.

Thoughtful lighting enhances the aesthetic value of your house at night. It has several other benefits, too. Outdoor lighting makes your yard usable at night. It prevents falls. It also keeps intruders away. If your outdoor areas are well-lit at night, thieves will think twice before trying to break in.

Fencing

Fencing sets boundaries and creates privacy. It will keep intruders out and pets in. Fencing is unlikely to improve resale value, but it has several other benefits. However, nice fences do have some value.

Retaining walls

Retaining walls help reclaim sloped yards. They control soil erosion by slowing the flow of rain water down the slope. They also add color to vast stretches of green. If done correctly, terracing and walls can increase the curb appeal of your property and add resale value. However, walls can be quite pricey.

Walkways

Walkways welcome visitors to your home. They also increase the overall curb appeal of your property. You can use pavers or solid stone walkways. When it comes to walkways, getting too fancy can be counterproductive. On the other hand, if your walkways don't meet the standard of your neighborhood, you will see a drop in the value of your property.