Landscaping can be defined as an activity to change the physical appearance or landscape of an area or a piece of land. Its main goal is to make the area or land more beatific. Changing the physical appearance of an area may include cutting, growing or rearranging the plants, trees, fauna or flora i.e. the living elements. It can also, include redesigning the physical layout of the land i.e. adding ponds or fountains, elevating a piece of land; to make it look like a hill or adding different structures such as a gazebo. Landscaping may also mean adding weather controlling systems and/or lighting systems.

Landscape Architecture can be defined as the art of designing outdoor and indoor environments or varying sizes including aspects of environment, art, engineering, architecture, and sociology. In the urban context, one can describe landscape architecture as the creation of life between buildings. Landscape architects use small spaces in urban areas to create roof gardens, pocket parks, etc. The urban landscape design usually includes sustainable and cost-effective development of natural spaces with a lot of plants.

Usually, a landscaping architect offers consulting services to help create an ecosystem that suits your needs. However, it is important to remember that a landscape requires regular care. Hence, if your lifestyle does not permit enough time, then you can opt for ecosystems that are self-sustaining and ensure that they run seamlessly without any manual intervention. By automatically cleaning pollutants, such systems can help improve the quality of life of you and your loved ones.

Landscaping is considered, both, a science and an art. That is why, landscape architecture is a field of study and, only, people with creative imaginations can excel in this profession. Landscape architecture does not stop at physically transforming an area or a piece of land; it also includes an aspect of interior designing i.e. selecting the furniture that best complements the renovated outdoors.

Outdoor Furniture

Outdoor furniture is an important aspect of landscaping your home’s outdoors. Landscaping in a nutshell is beautifying your surroundings. There is no better way to beautify your outdoors than buying quality and elegant furniture.

Pool Furniture

If you have a pool then, you probably should focus on your poolside. The poolside has the most potential to be transformed into something beautiful and elegant. All you need is a little imagination and the willingness to spend a few bucks.

Favorite Poolside Furniture

Chaise lounges are almost synonymous with a poolside. If, you have a pool, then you most definitely will have a chaise lounge. And, if you don’t, then you should get one right away; you don’t know what you are missing out on. Chaise lounges are low and long chairs, with the back at one end; it would be very handy if you buy low tables of the same material as the chaise. This way, you can get a great tan under the sun and enjoy a cold drink at the same time.

Patio Furniture

The “outdoors” is a broad term, which encompasses your patio, porch, verandah or poolside. No matter what kind of “outdoors”, your aim is the same; to buy furniture that is elegant and makes your house beautiful.

Patio Chaise Lounges

Chaise lounges are a go-to furniture option for the outdoors. Your outdoors isn’t complete without a chaise lounge. Therefore, buy a chaise lounge that is durable, strong and can withstand the changes in the weather, for example resin or wrought iron chaise lounges.

Other Patio Furniture Options

After buying a chaise lounge, you may find that your patio is still sparse; what should you buy next? The beauty in this case is, you can make your patio look like anything you may want. You can go for the Italian restaurant theme, for this you will need to buy a patio bistro set, for example a cast aluminum or a teak bistro set. Just let your imagination run wild.

Landscape architects, along with engineers and architects, design the built environment outside of buildings. That’s a broad definition for a broad profession. Your front yard may have been designed by a landscape architect. Parks and trails, streetscapes, remediated brown fields, commercial, public and residential gardens and landscapes are all part of the profession.

For most site design, meaning a set of drawings a specific address, a typical set of drawings and services might include all or some of the following:

· Preliminary plans: Also called “Master Plans”, this is the conceptual phase, where the elements of the landscape are planned. The shape and location of such features as walls, fences, decks, trellises, steps, paving and circulation, and major planting elements such as trees, lawns, shrub massing, and screening are fit together into a whole.

· Design development: In this phase materials are chosen such as types of paving, finishes, and in general the preliminary plan is refined.

· Construction Drawings: This can include planting, irrigation, layout, grading, drainage, and construction details for decks, trellises, fences, paving, retaining walls, etc. These are drawings that a contractor uses to construct the landscape.

· Submittals: Working with city planning and building departments and design review boards to ensure that the plans meet the requirements and that required calculations are submitted.

Cost Estimating: Providing cost estimates as needed.

· Bid Assistance: Help with choosing contractors, and preparing bid letters and contracts.

· Construction Administration: Site visits to observe construction and work with the contractor to achieve a successful landscape installation; managing contractor payments, and creating and clearing a final punch list. Designing residential retaining walls (a good example of how a licensed professional can help you): Landscape architects can design retaining walls up to 3 feet high in California. Walls over that height must have calculations by a structural engineer.

The most common reason for retaining wall failure is probably lack of drainage behind the wall. Every wall should have a bed of drain rock behind it, with some way of getting the water out-either a perforated pipe at the foundation of the wall, or weep holes at the bottom of the low side. Weeping can stain the wall, but is a better choice if there is no good place to outlet the perf pipe. Typically the drain rock and pipe are wrapped in filter fabric to keep soil from intruding.

For wood walls, the other frequent cause of failure is not setting the posts deep enough or close enough together. Posts should be as deep as the wall is high above ground and not less than 2 ft. deep. They should be spaced 4 ft. or less, and should be installed in concrete footings, with the bottom 3″ of the post extending past the footing to keep water from pooling at the bottom of the footing. Depending on which side the boards are placed, the boards are either nailed or bolted to the posts. Wood should be pressure treated, rated for earth-to-wood contact. Hardware should be stainless or hot-dipped galvanized steel. Redwood used to be a popular choice for wood walls, but the redwood available these days does not have enough rot resistance.

Other choices for materials include concrete (poured or block), segmental retaining walls such as Keystone or Versalok walls, steel I-beam posts with timber infill, or timber walls. For high walls all of these are better choices than wood. Concrete in particular is a versatile material as it can be stuccoed, colored, capped with brick or stone, and faced with brick or stone.

Reasons Why Landscape Architecture Is Important

While most people understand the benefits offered by landscape architecture, they are unsure if they need it in and around their homes. Here are reasons that will help you understand how landscape architecture can help you live a better life:

1. Helps Combat Toxicity And Other Environmental Issues

Most people are unaware of the fact that a majority of the products used at home like the furniture, upholstery, building materials, fixtures, etc., emit toxic pollutants in the environment around them. While the reasons can vary from the oxidization of heavy metals to toxic gases, the impact is the same. Of these, air pollution is the primary area of concern. With landscape architecture, you get a sustainable and efficient option to clear the environment of such toxins. With green plants in and around your home, carbon dioxide levels are always under control. Also, plants absorb toxic materials helping you maintain a healthy living space.

There are various tools that can help you balance the ecosystem in your vicinity and find indoor plants like Aloe Vera, Cacti, Ferns, etc. to clean the environment around your home. Many landscape architects also use phytoremediation techniques to remove contaminants in the soil and groundwater and revitalize them.

2. Offers Customizable And Sustainable Development Avenues

Many people think that landscape architecture is all about gardening and the planting of green plants to make the place look beautiful. However, landscape architects create garden designs using concepts of climate and ecology after a careful analysis of the surroundings. They customize solutions based on the specific surroundings of each house and target the environmental issues in the area. Every household and locality has different causes of pollutants. These causes are identified by civil engineers or landscaping architects and they select indoor and outdoor plants for cleaning the air, creating a cooling effect, absorbing toxins, and balancing the natural ecosystem. While this process can take time, it can help create a sustainable natural environment around the house and the area.

As the world embraced industrialization, factories and manufacturing plants cropped up around the world. This led to the degradation of the natural resources in the areas surrounding it. Air, water, soil, and the general habitat around these commercial spaces were contaminated and landforms faced severe damages. While the damage cannot be completely undone, landscape architecture can assist in rejuvenating the soil and cleaning the air by planting the right plants in these areas. While the regeneration of the natural ecosystem might take many years, this approach can help stop the spread of the toxins to the nearby areas and cause damages to the human body.

4. Storm Water Management

Rainwater harvesting has gained popularity around the globe as a sustainable solution for water scarcity around the globe. While rainwater harvesting is about collecting and storing rainwater rather than allowing it to run off, most of the rain manages to run off, especially from non-building surfaces. This water is called storm water. Using the right equipment and tools, storm water can be used to fight water scarcity more efficiently. Typically, the storm water is supposed to trickle into the soil and rejoin the water table below. This water table is an additional source of water for many regions. However, with many areas having concrete roads and pavements, a lot of storm water is prevented from seeping into the soil.

By using landscape architecture techniques, the soil can be loosened to help storm water find its way to the water table faster and rejuvenate the natural resources. Hence, the locality will have a natural water resource at all times.

6. Innovative Troubleshooting of Natural Environments

Most of us have heard about vertical gardens, wall garden, and other innovative ways of bringing nature into our homes and living areas. This has been made possible by innovative landscape architects constantly striving to balance modern living with environmental sustainability. In other words, landscape architects use horticulture to add biodiversity to urban design.

7. Weather Control

Since the turn of this century, climate change has been a concern for environmentalists and people around the world. In the urban areas, deforestation and excessive use of concrete has depleted the quality of air and resulted in an increase in temperature. Landscape architecture can help control the weather and dampen the impact of climate change. In urban settings, small ecosystems like rooftop gardens and pocket parks can help in purifying air and crating a cooling effect. There are many tools available that can help you find plants that can work optimally in your environment, create a virtual landscape, and check its efficiency before you implement it. As an increasing number of people start using landscape architecture, the weather around you can start getting positively impacted.

8. Outdoor Public Recreation

When you live in an urban area, public parks and outdoor spaces are the only natural retreat. If you are living in Utah, then the natural environment offers regular respite from the concrete city. Similar open places in cities can be developed to create spaces where people can relax outside their homes. In cities with tighter spaces, pocket parks, elevated parks, etc. can be developed to achieve the same result. With greener patches, air in the cities can improve and boost the well-being of its inhabitants.

9. Psycho-Social Benefits for Humans

It is believed that being in nature can help us improve our mental abilities since it calms our mind allowing it to explore the unknown. However, with constant deforestation, natural surroundings are getting harder to find. In such times, landscape architecture seems like the only solution. With technology-aided tools, architects can create pockets of nature across urban areas and breathe life into an otherwise concrete city.

10. Therapeutic Final Products

Working with nature has been known to have a calming and therapeutic effect on the human mind. The same holds true with landscape architecture. When all the planning and preparation finally comes to life, the result is blissful.

To know more about Architectural Landscape, you can contact TruCo Services for more information.

Landscaping is one of the most important factors that make your backyard look beautiful. Large section of the society wants to have beautiful landscaping for them. Hence, it is essential to have knowledge of various associated tools and at the same time, should have some important steps, to be considered, in their mind.

Landscaping is one of the most important features Utah, United states. It is important to use the right tool while designing your landscape. It is advisable to have a list of different tools required in advance. It will help you in creating a lovely backyard. There are generally two types of landscaping tools. One is gardening tools and the other is maintenance tools.

It is advisable to use riding lawn mower and install automated sprinkle system in order to fix the landscape watering issues. There are large a number of tools available in the market to make the work easier. Apart from weeding, these tools can help in planting, raking, pruning etc. it is recommended not to use chemical pesticides in the garden, where vegetable and fruits are grown. It might have noxious effects on human health. Gardening claws form an important part of landscaping. It can work out wonderfully in removing extra useless plants, called weeds. A claw and a rake are two most essential tools of a gardener. If you are planning to have a beautiful landscape, you can easily purchase these tools, as they are available in different sizes and styles.

Garden hose is other important tools for the watering garden. It can also be used for mixing organic fertilizers in landscaping. People generally use long hose to water the entire backyard. Apart from it, there are many other tools that can be used to give a beautiful landscape to your garden or your backyard. Expert advice can further help you to achieve your goal.

To make a yard more appealing it is a good idea to invest in landscaping. By doing this, the entire appeal of a home will be greatly enriched. Everyone in the neighborhood will enjoy looking at the house because of the outward appearance. If someone wants to make the outside of a home more beautiful, there are a few steps that a person can take in order to do just that. Oftentimes, when someone moves into a home there will always be some outward work done to it. If this is the case, do not be too quick to take everything up. In fact, more often than not, there is something that a person can do with the plants that are already there. Before a person buys anything, they should access what they already have. This will save the person both money and time.

When a person first begins organizing designs, dividing the project into different phases is the first step. This way the person will not become overwhelmed by the vast amount of space and can take everything one phase at a time. This step is especially important if the yard is large. The more amount of space a yard is, the more someone will have to purchase. It is also important to consider what time of the year the plants are supposed to bloom. If an entire phase of the lawn only blooms in the fall, then that section will look bad the rest of the time. Making sure that the yard is balanced will add much beauty to the overall look.

Protecting solid foundations such as rocks, concrete blocks, and driveways, is important. Large trees have roots which can damage these surfaces. When planting, keep trees a far distance from these places. When looking for additions to a garden, consider visiting a local demolition site. Many workers will allow gardeners to take bricks and rocks. This saves money, because buying rocks from stores is very expensive. Instead of hiring a landscaper, the planting can be accomplished by the homeowner. This will save a significant amount of money. If a professional is hired, plant prices may cost twice as much. When doing landscaping, the key is to be creative! When gardening, individuals place a piece of themselves within the scenery in the yard. Beautiful work happens when the personality of the planter shines throughout the finished product.

Steps to a Beautiful Landscape

· Take exterior measurements and pictures of your home and property. Make a list of the plants and features that you like to have as part of your yard.

· Draw your property, house location, walkways, and driveway on paper to scale. If you are not conformable with planning your own landscape, you can hire a Professional Landscape Designer in TruCo services.

· After the plans are completed take the plant list from the plan and start shopping for the plants and etc. needed to complete your landscape.

· Remember, your landscape can be installed in stages over 2 or 3 week period.

· Layout the planting areas by measuring to the different points along the shape of the planting areas and marking these points on the yard. Look at the plan and walk the shape of the planting edge. Marking paint available at most home improvement stores can be used to paint the shape of the planting areas. Make sure that the design on the ground looks like the design on the completed plan.

· The next step is kill the existing grass or move it to another location. If the areas are all weeds, it is much better to kill vegetation before planting. Round-up or similar product can be used, allow about 2 to 3 weeks for a good kill. If some areas are not killed, you may have to spot spray the areas that was not covered in the first application.

· Make sure you call your local Utility Protection Center or your Individual Utilities to mark all buried wires and gas lines before digging.

· Rent a sod cutter to remove all dead existing grass and dispose. If you are starting with bare ground this step will not be performed.

· Now take your landscape plan and measure the plant location and locate the plants spots within the plant areas. Try to duplicate the arrangement shown on your plan. Place the plants in their locations and take a look to see if any location changes need to be made.

· What soil do you have? Clay or sand? The planting should vary depending on your soil type. In heavy clay soils don’t modify the individual planting hole soil. Modify the entire planting area. Adding too much organic matter to individual planting holes may cause excess moisture to accumulate and plant to die.

Things to Consider For a Beautiful Landscape Or Lawn

Lawn care and landscaping are essentially different and the only commonality is the money and time invested by the people who want to landscape their garden or have a good lawn. Landscapes are more complicated in that it involves rock formations, inclines, water bodies and drainage. Lawns, on the other hand, are a simpler concept as it deals largely with flora. Inspite of these, some people with great expertise can amalgamate these two concepts and come up with astounding results.

Lawn care and landscaping usually evokes extreme reactions in people who are planning it for their house. This is justified as many a time troublesome pests or bad weather can ruin the work of months in mere hours. Again, there are various instances of you having a design in mind, but the final product bearing no resemblance to this. What is even more irritating is that other people generally have illogical opinions about what to do in your garden. Add to these, envious neighbors who are keener on digging out information from you, without giving any help in return, and the whole business becomes very stressful.

There are some things you need to consider before you decide on the lawn and landscaping idea.

· To begin with, do you live in a mountain area which is very high above sea level, or do you reside near the sea?

· Do you get heavy or negligible rainfall in your area and do you face extreme fluctuations in temperature?

· Do you have a problem with garbage related problems in your area and are pesticide flows prohibited by the council in your locality?

· Apart from these, do you have a clear boundary for your property where you need to grow trees in order to ensure some privacy?

· Again, do you have the time for maintaining your lawn or landscape?

On the positive side, it is good to know that there are many contractors and consultancies that you will find for lawn care and landscaping, even in smaller towns. Earlier, only huge companies with a large amount of budget took professional help for great looking lawn and landscapes but nowadays, many house owners also resort to their help due to insufficient time. Thus, in today’s world a down to earth hobby has almost been converted into a style statement.

Furthermore, the kind of social life you lead impacts your beautiful lawn or landscape. If your lawn or landscape is only frequented by the family and pets, then it won’t be damaged but if you throw a lot of parties in your garden, you will have to get back to your contractors for frequent maintenance (sometimes owning riding lawnmowers helps). However, the kind of relaxation that you can achieve in a well maintained landscape or lawn does seem worth all the money and time spent on it. So, do go ahead and create a wonderful lawn or landscape that will make all the difference to your lifestyle.

Essentials of Landscape Design

There are at least four essentials to consider in creating a landscape design: aesthetics, function, balance, and sustainability. All four essentials are harmonized to achieve a landscape design that is cohesive and beautiful.

Aesthetics

Let’s face it. When people have their property landscaped, they assume it will project a sense of beauty in its own unique way. The flowers should be lovely and stunning, the trees majestic or sheltering, the pergolas romantic, and the pond or fountain or statue should be breathtaking. The overall effect is expected to elicit an exclamation of delight. This is why it is important to thoughtfully and carefully select each flowering plant, each tree, each set of garden furniture or garden décor for your landscape design. They should not be chosen simply on a whim but by careful preparation and consideration. A beautiful landscape design is not created overnight. It takes careful planning. When people look at a landscape, they should see harmony between all choice elements. For example, does the gazebo lend an aura of romance to the landscape design or does it ruin it by looking contrived or out of place? Most landscapers advise to think of the landscape like a house having many rooms. Each room should smoothly blend or flow into the next.

Function

As much as possible each landscape design element shouldn’t simply “stand there just looking pretty.” The group of plants, set of flowers, rows of shrubs or trees must serve a function. As should the pond, statues, urns and other garden décor. Are the trees for shade or for fencing? Is the fountain somehow connected to an irrigation system? Of course, the bamboo bench under the pergola provides a place to relax.

Balance

Behind all the beauty and functionality is balance. A good landscape design must have balance. This involves not only the obvious ones such as the complementary colors of blooms and greenery or the symmetry of the garden furniture or stone paths. Balance also means the symbiotic relationships of all the landscape design’s living elements-bugs, butterflies, birds, earthworms, and fish in the pond, even the puppy the frolics around. Each one should be positioned in the landscape so as to contribute to the healthy existence of the others. For example, the willow tree provides awesome shade but it’s some sort of “water monster” drinking up any patch of water its roots “sniff” out. So be sure to plant them far from water tanks and drainages where its roots can follow and cause some damage.

Sustainability

With all the plants, trees, garden décor, outdoor furniture, pond or fountain that you plan to include in your landscape design, you must consider sustainability. Simply put, will you be able to maintain the whole thing? Will you be able to keep it together as the seasons change?

Landscaping your lawn or garden doesn’t end when every shrub and tree has been planted, every statue positioned, fountain bubbling and pond teeming with colorful koi. Consistent loving care is needed: mulching, pruning, weeding, transplanting, changing seasonal blooming plants, keeping the pond clean for the fish and man.

Once you’ve ticked off all four essentials on your list in creating your landscape design, then you’re well on your way on executing the design and making your dream landscaped lawn or garden a reality and you can employ the services of Truco Services for effective job.

Another type of landscaping that most people would never think of is desert landscaping. Desert landscaping is not like the landscaping that most people are used to seeing. These type of landscaping exist only in dry climate area. Desert landscaping will require the proper planning in order for the plants and other things that are part of the landscape to survive.

When it comes to plants, you are limited to a lot of the plants available. There are not many plants out there that would survive in desert climate. If you are planning to install an irrigation system to help non-native plants survive, this isn’t a very practical thing to do. Even though the plants are receiving sufficient amount of water, it will not be able to stand up to the heat of the sun. For this reason, it is much simpler to use plants that can handle the harsh weather.

Another reason to use desert plants is their ability to thrive in soil that is not very rich in nutrient. Many hot climate area have poor quality soil and only certain plants can survive in them. Some of these plants include Bougainvillea, Oleander, Sage / Purple Sage, Lantana, Pampas Grass, Fairy Duster, and Red Bird of Paradise. These plants are hardy plants which means they require less maintenance. Some can thrive without water for weeks at a time.

There are some who don’t live in the hot climate region, but love the look of the desert. Having a desert landscape somewhere else beside in hot climate region is possible. Desert plants will survive in the warmer season, but during the colder season, it might not do so well, especially in areas where it snow a lot. Your only option would to bring the plants inside and put them in a container. Once spring arrive, you can move the plants back out. Even though it seems like a lot of hassle, but it’s all worth it if you want a desert landscape.

Desert landscaping is not as popular as other landscaping due to limited use of plants and other landscaping amenities. However, with the right design and planning, a desert landscape can be beautiful like any other landscape. If you want to try something new, look into desert landscaping and you might like what you see.

When you talk of desert and landscaping in the desert areas, there is one common reason for doing such thing and that is conservation. Water is the most valuable resource in a desert location. As such many individuals in the past have missed out on the essence of landscaping for fear of wasting this very valuable resource. The good thing is that you can actually have nice landscaping and even plenty of attractive colors while maximizing your use of water and even conserving this precious commodity. It may sound amazing and to others is a little too good to be true but with the right planning; this is very possible despite the lack of knowledge about gardening and landscaping.

The initial and perhaps most practical method of landscaping in desert areas are to pick plants that are native to the place in which you are landscaping. This is of course is the first no nonsense step to a good lush environment even in harmful weathers. These ornaments actually have two major advantages. The first one is they are accustomed not only to the dryness of the weather but also the abundant amount of sunlight that they will be getting everyday in a year. Plants from other climates are more used to periods of sun and clouds and in most cases minimal sun exposure within the day.

Secondly, they do not have costly maintenance such as expensive fertilizers and nutrients, to be able to obtain their beauty. They can just grow in desert soil that is not famous for being nutrient rich. Combine these two benefits with the fact that these plants know how to live with small amounts of water and they are excellent landscaping choices for desert areas.

Before making the final decision on your desert garden landscaping, you need to conduct a thorough research. It is actually possible to have a lush green or even bright and colorful garden and landscaping. You must seek the services of local experts to have the best shaping of your landscaping job and even ideas to combine colors and greenery you like the most into your garden while giving the efficient use of the water, which is really limited in supply. Make use of irrigation widely and wisely to be able to conserve the water. In fact, small ponds are ideal and water efficient in this particular season.

The major challenge when in desert landscaping is efficiency. The ideal way to address this is by grouping plants that require similar amounts of water together. You must also cleverly use of either real or engineered slopes in order to give a runoff area for rain and those plants that require the most concentration of water. You also need to pick trees, bushes, shrubs, plants and flowers that are hardy and resilient and if not native to the place at the very least native to similar seasons. Always bear in mind that desert landscaping is rough on plants and individuals. But despite of that, you need to learn how to come up with a nice oasis of your very own.

DIY Desert Landscaping – What Are the Things to Consider?

If you live near the desert or in an area where the climate gets too hot, you may begin to think of this as deterrent to having a beautiful landscape. However, that couldn’t be any more far from the truth. With an excellent DIY desert landscaping idea, you can surely improve the look of your yard at less the price.

Landscaping your yard is something you can do yourself if you just have the time to spare. Also, it is a very fulfilling project to undertake if your hobby includes gardening and DIY stuff. With a desert landscape, it wouldn’t even take too much of your time once you’re done with it to maintain.

Space and Budget

One of the first things you need to do is to take inventory of the space you are going to landscape as well as the resources you have available. Both will help you draft an excellent design for your landscape. If you have it, I’d even suggest you use the parcel map of your property as the basis for the design. You can easily mark the areas when you’re drawing up the design for the landscape. Another thing you need to look into is the budget you’re willing to spend for this project. If you have a clear idea of the amount, you will be forced to scour your area for the best priced supplier. This way, you don’t have to spend more than you have to.

Plants

Next, you will need to choose the right plants to feature in your desert landscape. Because you are in an area where not all variety of plants can thrive, you have to be more careful in your selection. In fact, I would suggest that you go for plants that are native in your area. This way, you can be sure that the plants can thrive well with the type of soil and climate you have. This makes it easier for you to care and maintain the plants.

When landscaping for a desert or hot area, it’s best if you choose plants which can retain water for long period of time and can thrive well even when exposed to the sun for most hours of the day throughout the year. Good choices would include plants like Pampas Grass, Red Bird of Paradise, Bougainvillea, Palms and the different variety of Cactus.

Design

Aside from aesthetic value, efficiency has to be kept in mind when planning the design of the landscape. For a desert landscape, irrigation has to be more efficient with the design’s main consideration is conservation. And it has to be arranged in such a way that would look good aesthetically.

For example, you may arrange plants in groups according to their water requirements. This way, you will have an easier time watering the plants. Or if you have a hilly yard, you may layer the plants in your yard and efficiently use the slopes as a runoff for rain to get to the plants which needs the most water.

The Best Options For Desert Landscaping

You cannot just pick any plants because died plants cannot do much for your property. Spend a while to think carefully about your landscaping plan and confirm that everything is suitable for the climate of your area. Using a better irrigation might keep your plants alive but its time consuming and also cost you a lot. It will be much better if you just stick to an easier plan which includes only plants with high survivability under the hot climate.

The best thing about desert landscaping friendly plants is that the plants will survive under the hot tempered sun and adapt to the bad characteristic soils. Do not look down to those abilities because the areas under the hot sun usually have bad soil too. You do one thing, but you get two results.

Here are the list of beautiful plants that you can employ in your desert landscaping:

Longwood Blue bluebeard

This is a shrub, it is deciduous and it will grow back each and every spring. Its capability to restore health and happiness makes it very great for desert landscaping. It is a big shrub; it can grow up to three and four feet high and two feet wide. You will love this shrub in your desert landscaping because it has beautiful blue flower clusters and silver foliage. Furthermore, it also spread a very nice fragrance.

Autumn Joy

Autumn Joy is a lovely evergreen that perfect your desert landscaping with its great amount of leaves which twist beautifully. It has many leaves colors which can fit with any plant in your garden. It is also suitable for any desert landscaping plan. If there is a plant that should always be used in any desert garden, this is that plant. It grows easily anywhere, even on the rocky gardens. It also has beautiful flowers that you have never seen anywhere before. The flowers have different colors and shades, mostly are red, pink, yellow, and orange. One thing for sure; this plant attract butterflies which give even more peaceful nuance to your garden.

Penchant for green lawns and prolific leafy plants that require a great deal of water has long been known across the country. Realistically though, in this time of drought, of economic downturns, and of green-living, it’s more common sense and certainly less costly to begin to step away from some of the most expensive and water requiring plants that we’re using.

That kind of outlook is especially true of those who live in desert areas. With the move to the more arid country comes some changes in your landscaping that will make your life a lot easier. Not only will your plants be more hardy, more liable to survive the cool desert nights in the winter and the harsh dry heat in the summer, but they will require less effort on your part to maintain your landscaping and keep it looking sharp for less money.

Setting up a landscaping plan that has been custom tailored to withstand the rigors that the desert can throw at it may require the use of a specialist who is accustomed to the area and knows the native plants, as well as others which are well suited to your climate. Having a landscaping expert design your layout may cost a few dollars more. Realistically, it may cost you a lot less in the long range.

In fact, not just desert landscaping can benefit from the use of some more native plants and landscaping that is geared to withstand drought-type conditions, but virtually anywhere in the Utah could actually benefit from this type of landscaping venture.

Desert landscaping does not leave you stuck with endless cacti protruding from your lawn. It means that your greenery has to be chosen for its hardiness, not that you can’t have any.

Some things you will want to studiously avoid in the desert include turf grasses. This is because of the vast effort they take to look nice, as well as the amount of water that you will need to keep them green and pretty. Not all grass is eliminated however and surprisingly there are a great many that you can use effectively in this area. Deer grass in tufts is a great choice for adding some green and tan to your landscape, depending on the time of the year.

A few shrubs and smaller plants that are hardy, wear well in the vast heat of the desert and still produce flowers nearly all year long are things. Trees that will offer you shady areas as well as great looks and are drought hardy are the Mesquite, as well as the African Sumac, which grows to an excellent height and can actually save you money by shading your home.

Before you plant, if you’re not familiar with your new area, consult with a landscaping expert Truco services to help you to get the most from your desert landscaping and save yourself some money and effort. In any area, desert landscaping or extreme northwest landscaping-planting native is always your best practice.

Hardscaping is the term used for describing non-living things in the garden. This often includes paving, walkways, patios, and even benches, birdbaths and sculptures. By incorporating hardscape design in your lawn, you will add not only aesthetical value to your home, but monetary value as well.

The term hardscape refers to any part of your landscape that is covered by a hard material such as brick, concrete and any other type of stone. If you are thinking about improving the condition of your hardscape, you are going to need to do several things to increase its ability to withstand the elements.

Adding planters and sculptures

One of the main principles applied in graphic design and photography is finding a major element that would draw the audiences’ eyes. Landscaping and hardscaping is the same, since careful planning is needed to keep everything in balance. Adding foliage and blooms on your garden can do a lot however, adding too many plants can make your yard look more of a rainforest instead of a garden. To avoid this, you can add additional elements, as well as texture and contrast to balance everything out. For hardscaping purposes, you can always add sculptures and big rocks to add more style and focal elements.

Keep the walls

If you want to add dimension to your own garden, it would be a good idea to add or retain walls. If you want, you can replace the back part of your garden with additional two short walls and add plants per level. This will allow you to maintain a certain theme, as well as put together same types of plants in different locations, without having to worry about making your garden look too dull and uniform. Curved walls on the other hand, will add somewhat a sense of motion through the addition of a curving wall or a terrace above your garden. Another purpose of retaining the walls in your garden is for hiding your unattractive gray porch or foundation. They can also serve as a protection for the delicate flowers you have planted in your garden, from children or pets running around. If you want, you can also raise the surface of your soil, to keep the water from seeping into your home’s foundation.

Paving

Another important aspect included in hardscaping is paving. This is another landscaping element that does not only serve the purpose of being a walkway but at the same time, protect your plants from being stepped on. There are many materials that you can use for paving, with designs and styles ranging in different varieties. However, keep in mind that paving your yard would also create problems such as weeding and additional mowing requirements. This can be dealt with by setting pavers below grade, as well as leaving enough space for you to mow grass in. If this is not possible, you are left with no choice but to dig out your entire walkway space or patio to leave an area where you can lay out a weed barrier and add gravel, mortar, or sand between the pavers.

If you want to make the most out of your landscape garden, make sure that the hardscape design job is complete too, so that your garden will not look like much of a forest. By putting a separate element as your yard’s main focal point, you can add more color, texture and style to your lawn. You should use a sealer on your outside stones and concretes. Sealers make it much easier for you to clean the surfaces. The way the sealer works is that when it is applied, it makes a protective barrier that keeps oils, gasoline, food and other substances from staining the surface. A good sealer can also reduce the amount of weed growth and pests that reside in your stone landscape surfaces. A little sealer can go a long way and it also looks more attractive than unsealed surfaces. You can protect your surfaces from the elements and products like salt that can destroy the appearance of your pavers.

If you have recently had your paver surfaces installed, you may be anxious to apply a sealer to start protecting the surface. It is actually recommended that you wait at least two months before you apply any products to your new surfaces. This is to allow the remaining manufacturing residues to dissipate. Hire a professional company to do the sealing. They can clean the surface and apply fresh sealant afterwards. Keep in mind that a good application of sealant will last for a few years. After three to four years, you may want a company to come out and clean and seal the surface for continued protection.

It doesn’t matter how old your hardscape is, it can always benefit from having a sealant applied to it. Just contact your hardscaping company and have them do an inspection before they start the process. In addition to having a protective barrier applied, a reputable company can provide a variety of services for your pavers. They can fix any damaged spots that have sunken in, separation and any type of repair or maintenance task you can think of.

There is no reason for you to be envious of your neighbor’s home because they have paved driveways and a paved patio. You can have the same enhancements too. You don’t have to worry about how to care for it, because if you hire a good restoration service they can do all of the upkeep for you. You can add more personality and personal touches to your patio and walkways by adding hardscapes to your property. You can increase your property’s potential and market value by adding certain enhancements and features to it. Your home should look beautiful on the inside and outside. Don’t hesitate to contact a Truco services which specializes in the design, treatment and maintenance of stone enhancements to your landscape.

Advantage of Hardscaping

Since hardscape features are not living organisms, they provide a means of increasing property value and the attractiveness of the property without requiring the same level of constant care and maintenance that lawns and gardens do. This makes an emphasis on hardscaping ideal for owners who do not have a lot of time to devote to lawn care, those who live in arid regions or in areas where water use is restricted, or those who wish to improve the value of their property but are not particularly inclined toward gardening.

Hardscape Features

Hardscape features such as ornate benches or gazebos can be incorporated into an existence landscaping scheme to provide a degree of functionality, as well, giving visitors a place to relax and enjoy the scenery. Fountains and pools can improve the overall ambience of the property, creating a more calming and serene atmosphere, helping to drown out noise pollution and attract local fauna. Attractive stone walkways can be utilized, not only for their functionality, but to mask problem areas where grasses and other plants are slow to take hold. Fences and rock walls can provide wind barriers and improve privacy. Hardscaping also allows for features such as raised flower beds that can help to break up visual monotony.

Drainage Issues

When installing hardscape features it is important to assess how these additions will affect the overall drainage and water uptake of the soil. Anything that is placed over the ground is going to have an impact on overall water content of your lawn. If you plan to incorporate a lot of hardscape features into your landscaping, then it may prove beneficial to install sprinkler systems to make sure that your vegetation is still able to meet its water requirements.

It is also important to look at how hardscaping features will affect the overall flow of drainage on your property. You will need to carefully plan each feature so that it helps direct water away from the home, rather than towards it. Ideally, hardscape features should work to the benefit of your plants, directing water flow toward those that require the most amount of water and away from plants that need better drainage.

If done properly, a landscape that includes hardscaping aspects can be both beautiful and functional. They can create a visually appealing area for recreation and relaxation, and significantly increase the value of a homeowner’s property. Using a respectable and qualified landscape designer can help alleviate the risk of improper drainage and can help to assure that the overall effect of the landscape is a success, providing years of use and enjoyment to the homeowner.

Bringing your outdoor landscape to life is an exciting home improvement project. From irrigation to lighting and patios to flower bushes, there are a number of different ways to treat your lawn. Most home or business owners take interest primary in landscape services, but there is an entirely new world of outdoor décor available when you start digging in to the hardscape aspect of landscape design. While landscaping deals more with the aesthetics of a lawn, hardscapes relate to comfort and have the ability to create new living spaces outdoors.

The backyard is where homeowners are really given room to play with their design. Things like fireplaces, brick and stonewall structures, dry stack stone, and timber walls are all popular backyard additions. Most homeowners will start with a simple patio to build off of. Patios can then transform and additions like the aforementioned fireplace, or outdoor kitchen and fire pits are installed. Not only does this make for a friendly outdoor invitation for guests, but it increases the overall value of your property.

Stamped concrete is a popular investment for property owners interested in hardscape services. Stamped concrete gives consumers flexibility in their design for pathways, driveways, and more. Rather than laying brick by brick, a stamped concrete designs gives the feel and look of individually places stones without the daunting installation and chance of unbalanced walkways. They are also less prone to cracking and will not “pop” out of place as time ages the design. An easy way to clean your stamped concrete would be pressure washing.

The area around a pool is always a go-to for hardscape design. Not only can the area surrounding the pool be garnished with stamped concrete and a patio wing with a fireplace, but the walls surrounding the pool can be elegantly installed. Stone retainer walls provide not only privacy, but are durable and an investment that offers solid returns. Additionally, if there are any pool steps adjacent to the pool area, they can be customized to match the stamped stone or hardscapes in the pool area. Whether it is your driveway or back patio, there are a number of ways to jazz up your landscape with hardscape services. They can bring your lawn to life as they open up new living spaces and with a customized taste. If you are looking to revamp your outdoor living, do not forget the power of hardscapes. Not only do they enhance comfort and appeal, but your property value increases overall.

Services Landscaping Company Usually Offer

If you are interested in improving the area around your house, you might be thinking about landscaping services. Most people can likely benefit from the help landscapers can provide, since they offer many different options. Get to know some of the choices you have when it comes to services you should be taking advantage of.

The main landscaping service you likely think about is simple upkeep of your yard. This is clearly important if you do not want your plants, trees, and grass to grow wildly while looking unkempt. If you are concerned about this, you should seek landscapers to offer the attention your yard needs. They will have the tools you might not have, such as a lawn mower, edger, leaf blower, and more. You can schedule them to come once to get the yard under control, or you can have them come regularly, such as every two weeks. If you are not sure how often you need them to come to your property, you should ask for their professional opinion while also considering what your budget allows.

Another job for a landscaping company is planting new flora. Whether you have a few dead plants you need to replace or just want to fill in your yard a little more, you should ask landscapers for help with this job. They can assist you in choosing the right trees and plants to install, and then they can buy and plant them. If you want to make sure the ones you get will thrive, you should find out which plants are best for the climate you are in. You should then arrange for regular landscaping services to keep them in check and looking nice at all times.

In addition, you can often hire landscapers to install hardscaping on your property. This refers to items that enhance your yard without being alive like plants and trees are. Examples might include water fountains, decorative walls, patios, and more. You can typically choose from materials that include brick and concrete, and you can then request that they be a certain color or have patterns etched into the surface. The goal of these options is to improve the way your property looks, so you should have lots of choices and trust you will get great quality results.

There are likely plenty of landscapers in your city. You just need to determine what your needs are, and then find a company that offers the services you desire. Then all you have to do is set up a meeting with the staff so that you can make sure your goals are possible. But, Truco services is always there to help in solving both your landscaping and hardscaping for you.

Landscape design is the art of arranging the features of an area of land for aesthetic and/or practical reasons. It is often divided into two major components: hardscape (the nonliving elements, such as pavers) and softscape (the living elements, such as flowers).

Some major concepts of landscape design include:

· Unity (harmony)

· Balance

· Proportion

· Transition

Unity is the effective use of elements in a design to convey a theme. Unity is achieved by implementing a design consistently over a landscape through mass planting or repetition. Whereas balance is a term of comparison between two segments of a landscape, unity pertains to the overall picture of a landscape. Unity has been achieved when the viewer senses that all the individual elements of a landscape fit together to form a coherent theme.

While striving for unity, do not forget to keep things in proportion. Proportion is the sense or requirement that the size of the individual components or groups of components in a landscape fit into the whole landscape harmoniously. One way to achieve proportion is through proper use of transition applied to the size of the respective components. A landscape that fails to convey good proportion is one that is marred by abrupt transitions.

Transition is the gradual change achieved by the manipulation of the basic design elements of color, scale, line, form, and texture. Unless striving to achieve a particular effect, avoid abrupt transitions. For example, if the color of your flowers is repeated as you go from one part of the yard to another, there is a sense of a cohesive whole, which gives you a smooth transition.

Sometimes a successful transition is enhanced simply by adding a suitable landscaping element to a vast space, thereby breaking it up into segments that are more easily digestible for the viewer. One could say that a transition is created in such cases.

Here are a few more of these concepts:

· Plant form

· Plant texture

· Line

· Color theory

· Focal point

A related word is landscaping, but the two terms are not synonymous. Landscaping is the more overarching of the two and is often self-taught. Studying landscape design can help you achieve superior landscaping because many aspects of landscaping profit greatly from a designer’s eye. Moreover, landscaping goes beyond the glamor of the creative side (that is, design) and includes landscape maintenance. Whereas the designer’s job is to plan how the finished site will look and, often, execute the resulting landscape plan—it is someone else who will be responsible for maintaining that site in good order.

Landscape Design Is More Art than Science

Because plants are at the heart of landscape design, knowledge of the science of horticulture is one of its critical components. The field is, however, more of an art than a science. Some decisions will be based not on hard fact but on personal tastes, intuition, or current consensus.

For example, in designing a foundation planting, there is no set of hard scientific facts to which one can point to make the case that a curved design is better than a straight one. Nonetheless, most contemporaries seem to agree that a gracefully curving design just looks better. On an unconscious level, people seem convinced that a curved foundation planting works because it does a better job of softening the overwhelming linearity of a house wall. Precisely because landscape design is more art than science, reasonable people can disagree over what is best. There is room for different tastes and opinions. These differences can be manifested in the following:

· Plant choices

· Choices in hardscape

· Formal vs. informal styles

For example, in discussions on plant choices, you will occasionally encounter the notion that some plants are overused. In such cases, always remember that what is being stated is merely an opinion, even though it is being stated in a manner that sounds authoritative.

In debates over hardscape, the disagreement often centers on the material to be used. If you are having a fence built, for example, will you select a vinyl fence or a wooden fence? The answer may depend more on emotional preferences than on intellectual arguments. Likewise, when choosing a decking material, will you go with composite or wood? Some of the composites do a marvelous job of mimicking wood. But if you happen to be a homeowner who admires wood, every time you walk on a composite deck, you will be reminded that it’s not real wood. People disagree not only about individual components of landscape design such as plants and decks but also regarding the overall style. There are two major camps you can fall in when it comes to style: formal landscape design and cottage-garden (informal) style. Both landscape designers and landscape architects practice landscape design. To do so, you should know the steps it takes, including education.

Why Landscape Design is Important?

Landscapes give a beautifying touch to a property. Be it a residential area or a commercial complex, landscapes have always been the center of attraction. Proper landscape design has gained importance in the past few years. Landscaping is much more than the beautification of the yard, it is a place of relaxation, entertaining and can be a place of conservation with minimum human activities. Landscapes are essential for the environment as it utilizes fewer resources, supports lifecycle, flourishes flora and fauna, and offers long-term investment results. With the world’s population multiplying at a steady pace and our resources also depleting at the same time, adding a well thought out landscape is a very important contribution to Mother Nature and this planet.

Importance of Landscapes

Let’s understand the importance of landscapes in our lives and in this world.

· Nature Preservation – The most significant advantage of having a landscape is the preservation of nature. Urban architecture is full of wooden decking and concrete flooring. People have started acknowledging the importance of plants and trees in their lives. Landscaping offers solutions to various environmental issues, and protects natural resources and ecology.

· Reduces Pollution – A smart garden helps in reducing pollutants in the environment. Many manufacturing companies have come forward to adopt a garden in their architecture. In other words, landscaping helps in purification of the air in the nearby areas. They help purify both outdoor and indoor air quality.

· Protects Plants – Plants are a vital part of our biological life cycle. Landscaping allows different species of plants to flourish in their natural habitat, free of pests. They are provided with an adequate amount of water, good quality of soil, and sunlight to grow and nurture. It also helps in protecting endangered plant species that carry medicinal properties.

· Protection from Heat – We find solace in a tree shade during scorching summers. This shows the importance of plants and trees in our lives. Landscaping offers the concept of pocket parks or small parks that allow people to relax from their hectic urban lifestyle. This is, again, an excellent idea to promote greenery in the concrete cities.

· Water Management – We are fast running out of wetlands. The situation can be controlled with the help of planned and smart landscapes. Wetlands are responsible for controlling floods and managing biological diversity. Landscapes are a natural way to curb this issue.

· Offers Outdoor Recreation – Landscapes are an excellent means of outdoor recreation. This will boost the physical well-being of the local population. Kids can enjoy playing in these landscapes, and can learn about conservation of the environment.

· Wooden Blinds – Hardwood blinds are a good choice for big windows since they are both sturdy and light. Most wood blinds are made using sustainable forestry processes and are available in a broad range of stains to complement most hand-rubbed furniture, molding, and flooring.

· Boosts Mental Health – Sitting for some time in the lap of nature can have a positive impact on a person and his state of mind. This exercise enhances the productivity of working individuals by boosting their confidence and concentration levels. In other words, more green spaces indicate better psychological health.

One should consult professional landscape contractors in Utah for designing a landscape in a property.

Advantages & Disadvantages of Landscaping

The plants, structures and other features you place on your property impact more than just the appearance of your home. Understanding how landscaping affects you and your surroundings helps determine a direction for planning your outdoor space. You can get maximum return from your investment while minimizing negative effects on your family and the environment.

Functionality

Landscaping your property allows you to make better use of the land. The plants you grow and structures you install help define the space for various uses. For example, a patio creates a functional area designed for entertaining or dining outdoors. A raised bed provides an area for growing vegetables or planting flowers to improve the look of the home. Planned landscaping can also reduce energy costs inside the home. Trees, shrubs and other plants that shade the building or the outdoor air conditioning unit can reduce the need to run the air conditioner, while a windbreak of trees eases cold winds in the winter so you don’t need to run the heating system as much.

Property Value

Landscaping can increase a property’s value by making it more attractive. A well-manicured property with appealing landscaping is often a selling point for a home. The landscaping can also improve your home’s appearance to match similar homes in the neighborhood. In addition to the monetary value, many homeowners feel a sense of pride and enjoyment in a home that is nicely landscaped.

Cost

Landscaping a yard requires an upfront financial investment that ranges from a few hundred dollars to thousands of dollars depending on how you landscape. Handling the work yourself saves on labor costs, but installing items like water features or patios is labor-intensive and requires precision to get a professional look. You also have to research plants to determine where to place them and how to care for them. Even after the initial investment, homeowners incur upkeep costs including watering, replacing plants, sealing wood decks and buying chemicals such as pesticides and fertilizers.

Time and Effort

Like the costs associated with landscaping, time and effort is required both when you initially landscape and continually with maintenance. Caring for plants in the landscape requires irrigation, weeding, managing pests, fertilizing, pruning and harvesting produce. The plants need continuous care throughout the growing season so you may have to ask a neighbor or hire a company to care for the plants when you are gone. Patios, decks and fences require occasional cleaning, repairs and painting to maintain them.

Environmental Impact

The environmental impact of landscaping varies and can be either negative or positive. Incorporating the natural habitat into your landscaping or planting native plants protects the environment. These plants require less water and care since they grow naturally in the climate. Exotic plants often require more care and irrigation, increasing costs and using extra resources. Some non-native plants are considered invasive and can overtake the area, damaging local plants and animals. Excessive use of chemicals in landscaping can pollute the groundwater.

Pros And Cons Of Hiring A Landscape Designer

To have a garden is a privilege not bestowed on many. However, when you see every third person displaying a garden of their own, then it calls for having a garden that is different from the others. To do that, you have to have a garden that catches the eye not only with its variety of flowers but also with its design. This requires a landscape designer, who can be called as the ‘exterior decorator’ of the house. Only a landscape designer has the experience and the expertise to give your garden that unique look. He also has the means to carry this out if you have an extensive garden. Most people think that anyone can do landscaping with a little bit of imagination. For such people landscaping starts and ends with planting a flower. While this can be true for a garden in your backyard or a balcony, a sizeable garden requires a lot more planning. For, you must remember that landscaping is not as simple as planting flowers. An eye-catching garden has various other attractions than only flowers. Like, you would like to add a fishpond or a waterfall or a couple of fountains, which requires professional hand. Having said that, it must also be noted that hiring a landscape designer also has its fair share of merits and demerits.

Pros

· Landscape designing can be very overwhelming for a homeowner. So, a landscape designer can handle this task effectively as they are trained for the job.

· Also, you don’t have to buy expensive tools to landscape your garden. A landscaper will arrange his/her own tools.

· A landscape designer will be an expert on plants. He/she will have an extensive and varied plant knowledge that can save you from costly errors. While designing the landscape the type of plants selected must be dependent on the climate where they can grow properly. Also, he/she can help you select which types of plants are appropriate for a particular garden. In this way, a landscaper can save you huge costs that you are likely to incur later. He/she can also help you in selecting those plants that require minimal maintenance.

· Meaningful design requires a thorough site analysis. This can only be effectively done by a landscape designer. Site management includes property measurements and details of pre-existing conditions. Along with these, the drainage, light, and soil conditions are also taken into consideration. The designer also identifies the key elements of the landscape, which he/she can integrate into the design.

· Only a landscape designer can implement a well thought out plan. A planned design will make sense and will be aesthetically appealing. When planning a landscape design all the needs and requirements of the owners as well as the site condition and issues are amalgamated into the plan.

· A landscape designer can work wonderfully when the area is large, as it will require more planning. A landscaper will also be able to calculate better.

· A landscape designer will not only add beauty but also style and elegance to the garden. You can just put down your choice and preference, like if you want an English garden or a Japanese one.

· A landscape designer will also make your garden look natural, so that it complements the surroundings.

· A landscape designer will bring out the most from your garden. You don’t have to worry if your garden is too large or too small. A landscape designer will make the size and the design complement each other.

Cons

· Hiring a landscape designer is very expensive. Especially if you have a tight budget then a landscape designer is unaffordable.

· It takes quite a lot of time, from planning to execution to completion. If you are ready to forego a little detail then you can do without a landscape designer.

· For small gardens, it is a waste of time and money to hire a landscaper. They are especially good for large projects like parks.

Landscaping maintenance, also known as grounds keeping, is all about keeping the landscape of your property clean, attractive, and safe. It typically consists of the upkeep of the yard, garden, driveway, and more. In addition to this, it also includes seasonal tasks such as spring and fall cleanup, weeding and fertilizing, lawn care, snow removal, and more. This is why it helps to hire a reputable landscaping company that provides comprehensive services.

Top Benefits Of Landscape Maintenance

Economic Benefits

Studies show that landscaping maintenance is a wise investment that can help enhance the value of a property. In addition to improving the aesthetic appeal, it is a great way to utilize the available space and improve the functionality of your place. This will help enhance the value of your property.

Lifestyle Benefits

Many studies and research show that having green spaces around your property helps to foster improved physical and mental health and promote well-being. Also, strategically planting trees provides shade and cooling effects and acts as windbreaks. It helps to minimize maintenance for open spaces and increase the overall safety of your property.

Environmental Benefits

Having well-maintained green spaces around your property is an excellent way to conserve energy. It helps to filter dust and other pollutants from the air, increase oxygen in the atmosphere, curb pollution, reduce soil erosion, and enhance the indoor air quality.

Environmental Benefits of Managed Landscapes

· Natural Coolants – Grass is much cooler than asphalt or cement. It acts as an “air conditioner” for the surrounding area. In fact, lawns can be 31 degrees cooler than asphalt and 20 degrees cooler than bare soil. But wait, there’s more. Trees shading homes can reduce attic temperatures by as much as 40 degrees.

· Environmental Cleaners – Grass plays a vital role in capturing dust, smoke particles and other pollutants, and it produces oxygen.

· Water Protectors – Healthy lawns absorb unhealthy runoff that might otherwise filter into bodies of water.

· Air Cleaners – Grasses absorb carbon dioxide and break it down into oxygen and carbon. In fact, a 50’x50’ lawn produces enough oxygen for a family of four.

· Noise Minimizers – Lawns and plants dramatically reduce noise pollution; they can reduce noise levels by 20 percent to 30 percent over hard surfaces like concrete and pavement.

· Turfgrass slows down and absorbs runoff into bodies of water.

Even in areas that have water restrictions and are experiencing drought, it is important that lawns and landscapes remain a viable component of healthy communities. There are a number of sustainable practices that will allow managed lawns and landscapes to reduce water usage but still provide important environmental benefits.

Benefits of Urban Landscapes

A growing body of research is demonstrating how important it is to incorporate tree canopies and parks into cities and towns. They provide a wide range of lifestyle benefits that improve the quality of life for residents.

· Parks and tree canopies help reduce noise.

· A recent study by the U.S. Forest Service found that neighborhoods with tree-lined streets and larger yard trees have reduced crime rates.

· Studies show that just looking at plants and trees, even through a window, can reduce stressand lower blood pressure.

· Walking in a natural environment with plants and trees, even when located in the middle of a city, has been shown to improve attention and memory.

· Neighborhoods that incorporate community green spaces have lower incidences of stress, have lower health care costs, and have an improved quality of life.

Benefits of Commercial Landscapes

Businesses are more successful when they provide clients with landscaped areas around buildings and plants inside buildings.

· A study found seven percent higher rental rates for commercial offices having high-quality landscapes.

· Shoppers claim they will spend nine to 12 percent more for goods and services in central business districts that have high quality tree canopies.

· Shoppers indicate they will travel a greater distance and a longer time to visit a district with a high-quality tree canopy, and spend more time there once they arrive.

· Companies that provide their employees with interactions with nature also benefit.

Physical and Psychological Benefits

The benefits of human interaction with plants, trees, and grass are also well studied and documented. Research has found that people find stress relief and healing when interacting with nature or even viewing it through a window. Children with ADHD seem to focus better after being outdoors. Workers are more productive as well when working in environments with plants, and cognitive function is improved.

But, perhaps more important than what science tells us, is what people instinctively feel about the plants and green spaces in their lives–that the connection makes their lives better, and they want to make an effort to incorporate it into their lives.

Resources

There are many organizations researching and documenting the affect of plants and green spaces on the environment and on our lives including:

· Nature Sacred

· Project Evergreen

· Green Plants for Green Buildings

· American Society of Landscape Architects

· The Lawn Institute

· Department of Interior

· National Park Service

Benefits of Hiring Professional Landscaping Companies

From ensuring that their needs are met to helping narrow down a landscaping design plan, there are many reasons why homeowners turn to landscaping companies for professional advice when planning and designing their landscaping. Throughout Utah, if you are considering hiring a landscaping service to help you design and install new landscaping elements around your home, contact the professionals at Truco services today to speak with one of our design professionals.

Why Hiring a Landscaping Company is the Best Decision You Can Make

While many prefer to take the “do it yourself” approach around their home, hiring a professional landscaping company when designing and installing landscaping elements can offer a number of advantages to trying to tackle the project on your own. Below are just some of the reasons why working with a landscaping company may be the best decision for you.

· A Landscaping Job Can Make You Feel Overwhelmed: There are so many things to consider when you decide to redo your landscape that it can be nerve wracking. From what type of shrubs to get for Utah climate to knowing where things will grow best, landscaping companies are experts when it comes to these problems and can help you make the best plan.

· Recognize and Address Problems: When you are just beginning a landscaping project, it can be difficult to know where to start. You might feel that your yard needs something, but qualifying that “something” can be easier said than done. Landscaping companies have professional designers and landscapers that can examine your yard with a fresh perspective, identify problem areas, and provide real solutions to that “something” your yard needs to be perfect.

· Overcome The Paralysis of Variety: There are a wide variety of materials (both living and non-living) that you can choose from when to designing or redesigning your yard. There are many combinations of shapes, sizes, and colors that it can create a paralysis on a person that is not a professional designer. Fortunately, landscaping companies have a staff of designers that will bring everything under a unified focal point of design. They will be able to pull everything together according to your specifications and help you establish a clear plan to translate your ideas into reality.

· Select the Best Plants: Buying a shrub or plant can seem easy enough at first. However, when you start considering factors like choosing the correct plant based on aspects such as: flowering patterns, colors, size, water and lighting needs, and maintenance requirements the task becomes much more difficult. With the help of landscaping companies, you can plan various plants accordingly and can create a garden that will be colorful throughout the year. Professional landscaping companies are familiar with a variety of species of plants that grow well in Utah climate, and will be easy to keep and maintain.

· Setting & Keeping within Budget: Landscaping companies can prepare an accurate estimate of the complete cost of your landscaping project before even beginning the installation. This is something that most people that are partial to the “do it yourself” approach do not take into account. Do it yourselfers may think they are saving money, but it can be difficult to come up with an accurate budget and estimates if you are not familiar with this type of project.

General Advantages Of Maintaining Your Landscape

· Prevents Overgrowth: Maintaining your landscape helps you to keep your property from looking untidy, regardless of the time of year. By hiring a landscaping company to maintain your yard, garden, and surrounding landscape design, you can ensure that your property is well-kept throughout the year.

· Weed Control: Regular landscaping helps to manage and reduce weed growth and keep your plants and grass healthy. Trimming, pruning, fertilizing, and watering your plants prevents them from dying.

· Enhance Curb Appeal: Keeping your landscape beautiful throughout the year helps to improve the appeal of your property. Colourful plants, well-trimmed shrubs, and healthy grass add to the aesthetics of the building. Whether you want to host a party for your family, entertain guests for a special occasion or are looking to sell your home, it is the perfect way to keep your landscape looking vibrant in any season.

· Safe Outdoor Space: In addition to enhancing the curb appeal of your property, landscape maintenance helps you to keep the surroundings neat and organized. This, in turn, increases the safety of the property.

Landscaping Services

Landscape planners, architects, and designers are the artists that paint the beauty on the canvas of your landscape. Landscaping services could be right for you if you want your yard to look great. It does not address underlying issues that may cause your yard to look unhealthy. Many landscaping companies offer individual services instead of an all-encompassing program if you would like to handle some of the landscaping tasks yourself.

· Design – Consider this service as the outdoor version of interior decorating. The design increases curb appeal and make your yard a place for growing, relaxing and entertaining. The landscaper knows the appropriate plants for your location and how plants can be arranged and complement each other.

· Planting – This modern gardening philosophy plays matchmaker in the landscape, placing plants in a spot where they’ll naturally thrive with minimal input from the gardener. That is how a landscaper’s knowledge can improve your property. The result is a landscape design that’s a breeze to maintain.

· Trimming – It is a great time to clear away last season’s debris. Clearing and trimming trees shrubs and bushes will give your landscaping a fresh, clean look. It improves curb appeal and is an indication of the high standards of home and business owners.

· Mulching – Mulch helps to moderate soil temperature and retain soil moisture which is good for the health of your plants. Adding a layer of mulch to your flower beds also improves the appearance of your beds and suppresses weed growth. Additionally, organic mulches provide nutrients to your plants as they breakdown.

Lawn Care Services

Lawn care services address the health of your lawn. The services range from mowing, aeration and seeding to weed control and tree and shrub care.

· Mowing – The landscaper has the right tools to mow appropriately and quickly. They will weed whack on the edges and clean up the trimmings. Many homes and businesses appreciate taking this task off their to-do list. Grass should be mowed weekly is not more during the peak growing season.

· Fertilizing – The lawn needs nutrients to grow and stay healthy, a regular fertilization schedule, starting in the spring and ending in mid-autumn is the best thing you can do for a lush green lawn.

· Weed Control – Weeds come in all shapes and sizes and they are our most common complaint. No one likes weeds. Lawn care companies offer preventative weed control and treatments.

· Fungicide – Applying preventative fungicide treatments can help keep your lawn healthy and disease-free. Fungicide treatments prevent and control the many lawn diseases such as leaf spot, brown patch and summer patch and may others.

· Pests – There are many pests that infiltrate lawns and can ruin turf. Pests such as grubs, ticks, and mosquitoes can be treated by the lawn care service that will help prevent and address these pests.

· Lime Applications – In many parts of the country, adding lime to your lawn is as essential as mowing it. Without lime, lawn grasses may be unable to benefit from the nutrients in your soil, including those you add through fertilizers. Your soil should have a neutral PH of about 7.0, lawn care companies address discrepancies.

· Tree and Shrub Health – After identifying any blotches on leaves, damage to trunks, and other signs of an unhealthy tree, your lawn care service can determine the right solution to ensure your trees stay beautiful and strong. Lawn care companies offer fertilization, often utilizing a soil injected liquid for larger trees and shrubs and a granular material for shallow-rooted shrubs and ground covers.

Hire Our Professional Landscaping Company For The Best Results

TruCo Services is a full-service landscaping and snow removal organization that can handle every aspect of your project needs. Our teams of professional irrigation technicians, landscapers, licensed fertilizer applicators, certified arborists, and top-notch management staff deliver quality services that you’ll be proud to showcase at your home or business. We offer a complete range of services to beautify your property and provide the best solutions to simplify your landscaping maintenance. Whether you need landscaping construction services, regular property maintenance, or need some work done for a special occasion, we can help you!

When owning a home, you may not feel like landscaping should be at the top of your to do list. The interior items may have higher priority since they have the most impact on you. But landscaping isn’t just mowing your lawn, cleaning up leaves in the fall, or planting flowers in the spring. Landscaping includes designing your space to meet your own needs and adding some visual appeal. Landscaping combines two different elements of hardscaping and softscaping. Hardscaping involves hard materials incorporated into your area, think of patios, decks, or walkways. Whereas softscaping is all your living items, i.e. trees, plants, bushes, grass.

Landscaping has great benefits, including increasing your home value, beautifying your space, the potential to decrease heating and cooling expenses and potential health benefits.

Are you considering a move? Your homes outside design can help separate your home from other competing properties by leaving a lasting impression on potential buyers. When a buyer pulls up, the landscaping will be the first thing they see, and they will be picturing themselves there. You want them to get a good vibe and feel like they could spend their days at your home. Your home’s landscape could be the unique factor that will help get you your sale and you get you a return on your investment. Even if you aren’t considering a move, creating and maintaining your homes outside design still has many benefits. It helps to set the tone for your home as soon as someone drives or walks by. A beautifully landscaped yard is eye-catching and viewing it is pleasant for neighbors and visitors alike.

A beautiful yard can also help your mental state. If your yard is covered in shrubs and leaves, it may leave you stressed, but coming home to a beautiful oasis that you’ve created for yourself can give you a feeling of peace and lightness as well as a sense of pride. In addition to mental satisfaction, greenery can help with other health factors including producing more oxygen, because grass is a natural air cleaner. You will want to spend more time in your outdoor area because of well-planned landscape. When you are working on a design take note of how you want to use the space, or what maintenance will be needed.

While working on a landscaping design, be sure to consider your monthly bills and how you currently use A/C or Heat. Is there an area of your home that gets a lot of sunlight or is more susceptible to wind? To combat this, you can plant trees in front of windows to cast shade instead of sunlight and therefore keep your room cool. In the winter, a wall of trees can be a great block for wind. These changes will help to reduce your monthly energy expense allowing you to use less air conditioning and heat. The trees can also provide some privacy and even create a noise barrier from neighbors and other outside noises – an added benefit for your home as well.

Advantages of Hiring a Professional Landscaping Company

Professional landscaping adds curb appeal, helps create a positive first impression of your home, and can add to the value to your property. Because of its importance, more and more people are choosing to hire professional landscaping in TruCo services, Utah.

Time Savings

Most people have busy schedules even before adding the demands of lawn care and landscaping, so one of the biggest benefits of having professional lawn care is the amount of time it saves. Homeowners who want a nice yard have to devote significant blocks of time to taking care of their lawns. When you add the time it takes to mow, trim, edge, clean up clippings, fertilize, choose, buy and plant shrubs and flowers, and mulch landscaping beds, it’s easy to see how time-consuming lawn care and landscaping can be. Hiring TryCo landscaping service lets you enjoy weekends doing the things you want to do instead of spending precious hours doing yard work.

Financial Savings

Surprisingly, hiring a landscaping service can actually save money. Professional services charge a set fee per month to keep your property looking great, while those who choose to do it themselves have to purchase and maintain lawnmowers, tools, seed, fertilizer, mulch, pesticides, and other supplies. And there will still be times they have to hire someone to take care of things they can’t do.

Easy and Consistent

Established schedules and regular care ensures your yard will always look its best, even if you travel or spend part of the summer away from home. Many companies have a standard package that works well for most people, and most will let you customize an agreement. Services can include re-seeding, fertilizing, aeration, weed removal and flower dead heading, leaf clean-up, winterizing, and pruning shrubs and trees.

Professional Knowledge

Professional landscapers know what plants will thrive and look good in a given situation. They know how to deal with dry patches or poorly draining areas. They have the professional knowledge and expertise to address issues that arise unexpectedly.

Increase Property Value

Investing in professional lawn care services is highly crucial if you plan on selling your home at some point. A well-kept yard will boost your home’s curb appeal and increase its value. Don’t forget the front yard is the first thing potential buyers notice when they show up to inspect at your home.

What Type of Services Do Landscapers Provide?

We’ve used many different landscaping contractors in our yard over the years (some better than others). Their services ranged from lawn care and tree work to mowing and gardening, (plus a lot else in between). So what are the main types of services provided by landscapers?

Contractors providing landscaping services can help with both landscape installation and landscape maintenance tasks. These include landscape design, hardscape installation, mowing, and gardening, plus irrigation installation, pest control, car-washing, and snow clearance – to just name a few.

What is Included in Residential Landscaping Services?

Sometimes even dedicated gardeners need some assistance in maintaining their yards, and there’s plenty of help on offer from professional landscaping services. Different firms offer slightly different services, and some have specific specialties like irrigation; however, in general, these are the services that are on offer…

Lawn care includes mowing, edging, protection (against grubs, for example), and feeding. You may also be able to find a lawn renovation expert if your grass is in need of some extra care. It’s a real bonus not having to care for a mower or manage all the cuttings.

Bed maintenance involves weeding, tidying, dead-heading, and removing dead plants. A great way to ensure your property always looks tidy.

Pruning is another good way to keep your yard looking neat. This can include plants, trees, and hedging. Seasonal work can be a springtime and fall clear up, winterizing your garden, or even helping with the decoration. If you live in a colder zone, your garden team should also help with snow clearance. Irrigation services can range from designing and installing a system to maintaining and inspecting it. This can also include rainwater harvesting.

Landscape design can be anything from choosing the right plants for your yard to planning a major hardscaping project. Specialist garden designers can figure out issues such as drainage, or even help design outdoor structures such as pergolas. They should know your local climate like the back of their hands, and be able to devise the perfect planting scheme.

Landscape Installation

Some people simply need an expert team to help care for their garden, while others are looking for someone to help create that garden with them. Landscape installation services is the yard equivalent of architect, engineer, and construction workers.

This team will design and build your garden. Here’s what a landscape installation service can offer.

Landscape Design

This could be setting up a new flower bed and choosing the right plants for your hardiness zone. Or, maybe you need something more structural like a new path or a patio. Professional landscapers can help you get the garden you’ve been dreaming of, and should be able to help with any paperwork.

Virtual Garden Design (Online)

Everything can be done remotely these days, and the chances are your designer is using a CAD package anyway. You can also use a garden design package yourself if you’re confident that you have both the tech and yard skills yourself, and then share your design with the landscapers.

Hardscape Installation

There’s a lot more to your yard than lawns and beds, and hardscape installation is about the paths, patios, driveway, steps, and so on that add both practical function and aesthetic variation to your garden. From the front steps to a private basketball court (large yards only), there’s a huge range of hardscaping opportunities.

Irrigation Installation

Setting up a complete irrigation system for your garden or greenhouse isn’t easy, and it’s good to get some expert help. Landscapers can design, procure, install, commission, and maintain your new system, and can even work out a rainwater harvesting system for a more eco approach to watering.

Outbuilding Construction

Let’s be honest: putting up a shed is always harder than it looks. Your landscape team will arrive like something out of Witness, raise your shed or outbuilding, and then go again, job done. Depending on their skill set, landscaping teams can also be involved in larger yard construction projects.

Landscape Maintenance

Once your garden has been designed and created, it needs looking after. Even those of us who love spending time working in our yards need a little backup with some jobs. It could be that you love tending veg but don’t have much time for regular tasks like mowing. Or maybe you keep on top of your yard beautifully, but need assistance for that twice-yearly clean-up.

Lawn Mowing & Trimming

Regular mowing keeps your lawn looking great. A landscaper will do a beautiful job of those edges and awkward corners, while also clearing up after the job. If you have a regular contract, you may not even need to own a mower! Your maintenance team may even offer a lawn care service, too, involving feeding or refurbishment.

Tree & Shrub Planting

Planting larger items like trees and shrubs can be daunting, but a professional arborist can help you choose the right size plants for your plot, and give them the best start in life. The landscapers can also keep trees and shrubs tidy (not always an easy job to do without pro-level loppers and ladders).

Gardening & Weed Control

This is another regular task that’s good to delegate. General gardening duties can involve weeding, raking, hoeing, deadheading, pulling up dead plants, watering, feeding, composting, keeping the pavers free from weeds… Having a landscaper do this for you frees you up for other gardening jobs such as planting (and grilling…)

Mulching

This is generally done twice a year. If you have a large garden, mulching all the beds, trees, and shrubs can be quite a big project. Your landscape contract may actually include a twice-yearly mulch as part of the general maintenance.

Outdoor Pest Control

This is a task you really want to hand over to the experts! This isn’t just because it’s unpleasant, but because the professionals will have the right kit for the job. They’ll know the safest ways to rid your yards of pests of all varieties. There may be “pest prevention” in your contract, which will include managing things like aphids.

Pesticide Application

From aphids to lawn shrimp, professional gardeners know the safest and most effective way to apply pesticides. There are two approaches: prevention and cure. You’ll need to speak with your chosen contractor about how they can mitigate against pest invasions, and how they can help if your yard gets a sudden infestation.

Yard Cleaning & Waste Disposal

Most of us generally have two big annual yard cleans: when we winterize our gardens, followed a few months later by the spring clean. As well as this, landscape services may offer regular outdoor cleaning alongside their mowing and weeding duties. As for disposal, well, getting rid of gardening debris for you is a big advantage of professional garden services.

Plant Washing

Some do, some don’t. It’s a bit of a step away from tending to plants, but it may come under “general outdoor cleaning”. If you’re willing to pay for extra services, it may be worth asking about this. If you have a more general “handyman” service to tidy up your yard, this could very well be a service they’ll offer.

Snow & Ice Clearance

If you have a regular gardening service, their winter tasks will involve clearing snow from driveways and paths, making sure that everyone can get out of the yard safely. They could also help you to keep on top of the snow to prevent it from weighing down gutters, garden buildings, trees and so on.

Getting a team in to help winterize the garden could also be a real benefit: you can relax, knowing the plants will be safe over the winter and that nothing is likely to get blown away…

Holiday Yard Decoration

Yes, some companies are happy to help with your holiday decorations. Landscapers that specialize in lighting may even be able to rig up something truly unique for your yard. At least, you can make the most of having an extra pair of hands and a ladder in your garden.

Holiday Watering

Do landscapers water the garden? They can do it if you’re away on vacation, but otherwise, unless they’re there every day, there’s not really any point in getting them to water your plants. However, if plants need weekly feeding, this could form part of a regular gardening contract.

If you’re going away, you could ask them to visit more regularly to keep on top of the watering. You could also ask for advice about irrigation systems, and some landscapers specialize in this service.

Professional Landscaping Can Be A Great Way To Relax And Enjoy Your Free Time

TruCo Services is a full-service landscaping and snow removal organization that can handle every aspect of your project needs.

Our teams of professional irrigation technicians, landscapers, licensed fertilizer applicators, certified arborists, and top-notch management staff deliver quality services that you’ll be proud to showcase at your home or business.

A malfunction of a guest’s car treading on your already developed lawn can take place, by mistake, anytime. You can add beauty to your garden and at the same time avoid such malfunctions by curbing the landscape. Walking area and motoring area can be separated accordingly to evade a mix up.

Why is curbing important:

One of the primary reasons for curbing is separating different areas. Curbing is necessary to prevent intrusion. The word curb means to control and by curbing you can control unwanted entry to a particular area. Construction materials like stones and bricks are used for curbing. Flat products are rarely used for curbing as they have the tendency to get ‘spilled’. Curbing is important to increase the beauty of the surrounding landscape as well as that of your house. It helps to give your home a unique look. With a proper frame-work, you can separate the lawn area.

Straight lines can add rigidity to the lawn. Instead use curved and flowing lines as they add beauty to the landscape. Before the overall planning and finalizing the final design of the curb, talk to the contractor. Curbs of the same size are better to have uniformity throughout the garden. Width of the curbing material should be proportionate to the road width. Color of the landscape curbing should also match the overall color scheme of the surrounding area and the home. With attractive landscape curbing you can create an impressive pathway or road leading to and away from the home.

If you have water flowing in the garden then to prevent the water from flowing into the drier areas you need to have a bit of higher curbing. Curbing designs should be simple enough. Dirt can get into the intricate designs, and create moss, and thus generate dangerous slippery areas in the garden. The lawn maintenance process can be eased by creating double boundaries which help in separating plants and lawns. Plan the look of the curbing segment and that of the main garden area with a variety of plants.

Being a landscape curb contractor may be a home based business for you if you don’t mind getting paid well for working hard.

Landscape curbing is a booming business that involves the installation of small concrete curbs around flowerbeds and gardens. There is a good chance that you have been seeing this type of work in your neighborhood and if you haven’t you soon will be. For examples of what I am talking about, please look at the resources found at he end of the article.

When you consider a business opportunity a few questions usually present themselves.

What can I make? You can earn $500 to $3500 or more a day. The retail price for curbing varies around the country, but can vary between $2.20 to $7.00 a foot and sometimes higher (call a local curb contractor and get a quote).

The cost in materials (sand and cement) is usually less than .50 cents a foot. For example, a cubic yard of sand can cost about $30.00, add to that 6 bags of concrete at $10.00 a bag and you have about $90 in material. For a 6-inch wide, 4-inch deep sloped curb you can get about 225 feet out of a yard of mix. That works out to about .40 cents per foot.

You will need some help at least one other person. An experienced, efficient crew of two people can lay 500 to 700 feet a day. If you pay your labor $10.00 per hour your labor costs per hour are less than .20 cents a foot. There are other expenses (advertising, fuel, insurance etc.) but they are less than .20 cents a foot.

So your gross profit can be a $1.00 to $5.00 a foot or more. If you do the math you can see that $500 to $3500 a day in gross profit is possible.

I apologize for getting so detailed with the numbers, but a lot of business opportunities are a lot of hype. I wanted to lay out the numbers so you can check my figures and know that this is a real opportunity. When you check my numbers you will realize I have been conservative.

What are the drawbacks to this business opportunity?

The work is hard. The materials that you are using are heavy and moving them around is work. But you only have to work as hard as you want. Many curb contractors work part time and only do this business as they want to. The work is also seasonal in a large part of the country, but many of the curbers that I know enjoy having December and January off.

How To Boost Curb Appeal To Make Your Home Sell

Curb appeal has a dramatic impact on the way a home appears to everyone who sees it from the vantage point of the street. If you are selling your home, from a real estate valuation perspective, curb appeal must be geared towards the prospective buyers. In a buyer’s market, curb appeal is even more crucial since there are many other homes on the market competing for attention. It makes sense to invest in making certain improvements so these prospective buyers don’t keep driving by when they pull up in front and are disappointed.

Just as the inside of the home is ‘staged’, the landscape can also be staged. The underlying premise is to not only appeal to buyer’s emotions, but deal with practical aspects as well.

Here are some tips:

· Remove overgrown vegetation that blocks a clear view of the home, the front door or otherwise takes away from an open, welcoming feel as seen from the street

· Remove all the clutter by taking out shrubs and trees that do nothing to enhance the property

· Clean up, prune trees and shrubs and remove any dead growth

· Enhance the front door and/or path leading to the main entrance by adding color or walkways

· Fix or repair any obvious flaws that take away from the appearance of being well maintained

· If there is a lawn, make sure it’s as nice as you can get it by dealing with brown spots and fertilizing it to make it lush and green weeks before you put the home on the market

Once you get your prospective buyers out of the car and into the home, you don’t want to disappoint them by neglecting the backyard. Be consistent with fixing problem areas, pruning overgrown shrubs and covering the ground with either gravel or new sod so it appears finished yet allows the buyers to visualize living there or perhaps customizing things to their liking.

Think of the outside landscape as just another space that needs to be ‘staged’. Put all personal items such as kids’ toys, rusty bbqs and tools behind closed doors. Remove all yard art that the buyer may not find so amusing as you do. Stand out on the curb and imagine you are looking at the home for the first time just as a prospective buyer would. This is the home’s first impression. What do you feel? Would you enter the landscape into a “best on the block” contest? Does the landscape enhance the appearance of the home? Does the landscape have an overall ‘neglected’ feel to it as if the current owners didn’t really value having nice landscaping?

Most all sellers who are in the position of dealing with their front landscape curb appeal invariably say they don’t want to spend a lot of money. I deal with this all the time and the solution is not necessarily the cost, but the value of what is actually done to the property. Often, the simplest things can make a big difference.

Someone who sees the problem areas from a designer’s perspective and who has knowledge of plant materials, curb appeal principles and real estate awareness is the key to providing the best solutions to making your home a property with great curb appeal.

Curb appeal is an emotional response that is difficult to measure. One thing is for sure though. Properties that we have created curb appeal or otherwise enhanced, have sold more quickly than others according to feedback I have received from the listing agents.

Benefits Of Landscape Curbing

If you’re tired of looking at your lackluster landscaping but aren’t sure where to begin when it comes to improvement, you may want to give some thought to installing concrete landscape curbing.

Landscape curbing, or the solid borders that surround gardens, water features, and other landscaping elements, can create a brand-new look for your lawn. You may be surprised at how much more sophisticated and streamlined your lawn looks after you’ve invested in some new curbing. Here are some benefits:

Better Curb Appeal

Real estate agents consistently promote the importance of “curb appeal” when trying to list or sell a home. Homes with high curb appeal (that is, homes that have simple, attractive, and streamlined exteriors, including landscaping) are far more likely to find a buyer quickly than homes that are obviously “fixer uppers” or that will require a bit of work to get in show-ready condition. By installing stone or concrete curbing instead, you’ll be able to create a seamless appearance that’s aesthetically pleasing. This streamlined and low-maintenance landscaping can catch buyers’ eyes, enticing them to come in for a closer look, even if some of your property’s features might otherwise have been disqualifying factors.

Improvement in Value

Not only can the curb appeal generated by your new curbs make your home easier to sell when the time comes, it can improve the “paper” value of your home. This can improve your ability to qualify for favorable refinancing and home equity terms, providing you with the cash you need to perform other home maintenance or improvement projects without dipping into your savings or taking out a higher-interest personal loan.

Reduction of Lawn Maintenance

One of the chief benefits of landscape curbing is its subsequent reduction in weeds. Not only can having a solid border between grass and garden prevent grass seeds and other unwanted intruders from putting down roots where they shouldn’t be, it can make it much easier to trim any weeds or tall grass that does make it through this initial barricade. Because concrete curbing is designed to stand up to the elements, it is also well-equipped to any abuse a lawnmower (even a riding or zero-turn mower) or weed eater can dish out, remaining stable and strong even when in direct contact with the blades. This can allow you to mow or weed eat directly against the edges of your curbing, enhancing the neat and trim appearance of your lawn and garden.

How Adding Curbing Can Increase Your Home Value

When it comes to attracting prospective buyers to your house, a great looking landscape in both your front and backyards can make or break a good deal. A nice simple and easy to implement landscaping idea is called curbing. Curbing is just a fancy word used to describe the procedure of arranging your flowers, plants, trees and garden accessories into a nice looking landscape for your open-air living areas.

Curbing is a way of structuring your walking paths into different shapes, curves, angles and circles in your garden. Curbing around your yard can be a fun and very rewarding experience for your whole family to get involved with. Many of us tinker in the garden and lawns to relax and some even choose to put into place a backyard garden curbing program as a way to get exercise as well.

How adding curbing creates extra appeal

Curbing adds structure to your landscape and the eye is automatically drawn to it’s appeal. Subconsciously we are turned off by clutter so curbing brings an organized and orderly process that not only looks tidy but can be used effectively make certain areas of your home stand out as a feature. Curbing gives the impression of a home looking more precious and really makes it easier to put up for sale. In survey’s it has been noted that a home with trees and plants are twenty percent more salable than a house without trees.

Concrete curbing is really taking off in a big way

Concrete landscape curbing has becoming amazingly popular with many businesses now specializing in just curbing. Concrete curbing minimizes your lawns edging and weeding chores. It creates a root barrier keeping the lawn out of your flowerbed. Outdoor lighting is also a great outdoor curbing idea that will increase the value of your home. A prospective buyer will devote three to five minutes to study the exterior of your home so you really want to impress.

If you have an oval shaped flower arrangement in your yard and you have concrete curbing around it as an attractive border your eye is automatically drawn to it. You can’t help being attracted to it and impressed by it. On a subconscious level a prospective buyer will fall in love with the landscaping without even necessarily understanding why.

For a very minimal cost compared to potential return in the sale value of your property adding concrete curbing is a very easy and affordable way to get those extra few bucks you deserve for your house.