You spend a lot of time ensuring the interior of your home is both functional and comfortable. With a bit of thought and effort, you can apply the same principles to your exterior. Beautiful landscaping doesn’t have to be expensive, and it doesn’t happen overnight. But, when executed well, your outdoor spaces can increase the value of your home and become a popular space for friends and family to enjoy.
Here are some helpful tips to help you begin your landscaping journey.
1. Select the right plants for our climate
There are multiple advantages to choosing the right plants for your climate, especially those that are native to your area. They won’t need significant care because they are accustomed to growing in your conditions. While this isn’t a guarantee, it will increase the chances of long-term success. Native plants also support the wildlife in your area, including local pollinators.
There are multiple advantages to choosing the right plants for your climate, especially those that are native to your area. They won’t need significant care because they are accustomed to growing in your conditions. While this isn’t a guarantee, it will increase the chances of long-term success. Native plants also support the wildlife in your area, including local pollinators.
2. Do not let your existing layout restrict you
It’s not as costly and time-consuming to change your landscape as it would be to change the interior of your home. You can remove a plant that has died or if you have an artistic error.
It’s not as costly and time-consuming to change your landscape as it would be to change the interior of your home. You can remove a plant that has died or if you have an artistic error.
Be careful when you plant large trees and shrubs. Make sure you do your homework to determine the size of the mature plant. Also, make sure there is enough space between it and any nearby structures.
New homeowners tend to be cautious when it comes to changing their existing landscaping. Don’t be afraid of making changes to improve the look of your existing landscaping. Sometimes existing trees can produce excessive pollen and seed pods or block light from coming into your home. It may be worth it to remove them.
3. Get in touch with your homeowner’s insurance provider
Before you add a shed to your backyard, build an outdoor kitchen, or install a swimming pool, contact your insurance company. If you add an element to the exterior of your home that increases its value, contact your agent to determine if additional insurance is required. It is vital to protect your investment.
Before you add a shed to your backyard, build an outdoor kitchen, or install a swimming pool, contact your insurance company. If you add an element to the exterior of your home that increases its value, contact your agent to determine if additional insurance is required. It is vital to protect your investment.
This may result in a higher premium, but the alternative to this is that your new investment will not be protected in case of damage to your home. It could also mean you lose any coverage if you have to file a claim.
4. Make sure your yard slopes in the correct direction
Water damage is the most common cause of interior insurance claims. It is in your best interest to ensure that water always moves away from your house and not toward it. If your yard slopes toward your home, you risk runoff leaking into your basement or under your home.
Negative drainage landscaping could also make your house less valuable than it is. What is a good slope to have in your yard? Experts recommend that the slope be at least 2% or one-quarter inch per foot. For example, the grade at 4 feet from your home should be 1 inch less than that adjacent to it.
5. Research local ordinances before you begin
Planning your landscape is important, especially if you are adding hardscaping elements. It’s crucial to keep any changes within defined parameters and understand when permits may be required. For example, you may not be permitted to build a deck or lay pavement larger than 30 percent of your total home square footage.
Planning your landscape is important, especially if you are adding hardscaping elements. It’s crucial to keep any changes within defined parameters and understand when permits may be required. For example, you may not be permitted to build a deck or lay pavement larger than 30 percent of your total home square footage.
This information can only be accessed by researching local ordinances, as well as any restrictions that your HOA might have. In many cases, a landscaping company will research this information on your behalf, but you should confirm with the specific company you hire.
6: Take control of your lawn
You must be proactive to ensure your lawn stays healthy every year. Here are some pointers to assist you.
You must be proactive to ensure your lawn stays healthy every year. Here are some pointers to assist you.
- Regularly clean up and bag any debris. If left unattended, broken play items, old food wrappers, tree droppings, and cut grasses can cause a problem and damage your lawn.
- To avoid overexposing your grassroots to heat, cut them to the correct height each time. The rule of thumb is to cut one-third of the total length of your grass each time you mow.
- Water your lawn properly. Some grasses require more watering than others. Identify the grass type you have and water it accordingly. If you’ve received significant rainfall, additional watering may do more harm than good.
- Regularly apply fertilizer. Fertilizers replenish nutrients lost and act as a multivitamin for your lawn.
7. Avoid overcrowding your outdoor space
It can be hard to tell when a piece of art is complete, as artists know. A landscape is like a painting. It needs balance and space. Although it is tempting to overcrowd your yard, landscaping that leaves enough space for the homeowner to move around will look more professional and prove more flexible.
It can be hard to tell when a piece of art is complete, as artists know. A landscape is like a painting. It needs balance and space. Although it is tempting to overcrowd your yard, landscaping that leaves enough space for the homeowner to move around will look more professional and prove more flexible.
Good proportions are a great way to create a feeling of more space. A small backyard shouldn’t be crowded with a large pool. To balance concrete and stone, create green spaces and curves in the hardscape. Remember our first rule in landscaping: choose the correct plants for your area.
You want the patio or outdoor space to be sized for your home to get the best results. You should choose patio furniture that matches the overall style of your yard. However, it is important to limit the amount of furniture you place in a given space.
Do you want to improve your landscaping?
Willow Creek Outdoor Management takes pride in creating beautiful and lasting landscapes. We can help you with all aspects of your landscaping needs, from regular lawn maintenance to large-scale landscaping projects, including retaining walls and other hardscaping elements. Our goal is to provide outstanding service, unsurpassed quality, and exceptional craftsmanship every time. Call now for a free estimate for landscaping in Augusta, GA, or the greater CSRA area.
