How
Landscaping Affects Your Property Values
If
prospective buyers looked at your house today, what would they see outside: a
giant evergreen that looks as if it might swallow the station wagon; perhaps
scraggly old foundation plant; or maybe a kitchen-table view of the neighbors'
kids' trampoline? If so, you have a truly inexpensive opportunity to boost your
home's curb appeal. By spending $500 to $3,000 on plants and materials and a few
hours of time, you can achieve a well-landscaped look without shelling out for
professional help. Besides the
personal enjoyment you'll get from a prettier yard, landscaping adds more value
than almost any other home renovation. According to a MONEY magazine story on
home renovations, "not all improvements will increase the value of a house
by the amount they cost to perform." Landscaping, however, according to
their research, has a recovery value of 100% to 200% "if it is well done
and harmonizes with foliage nearby." This compares to a recovery value of
75-125% for a kitchen remodel, 80-120% for a bathroom, and 20-50% for a swimming
pool. Not bad, huh? If you have no immediate plans to move, all the better:
Landscaping is the one home improvement that actually appreciates over time.
If you think of your home as a work of art and the surrounding grounds as
its frame, it's easy to see the value of landscaping.
Just as a frame should complement artwork, a yard should be landscaped in
a manner that is compatible with the house. That requires a plan before you
start. While gardening engages us in the nation's No. 1 outdoor hobby, it also
becomes a partnership with nature. It also can turn a house with little
architectural interest into an attractive salable property. Realtors agree on
this. Landscaping adds emotional appeal and can easily be the deciding factor
between similar houses. Residential appraisers agree that superior landscaping
is one of many variables contributing to home value. The greatest benefit may
lie in the shorter time a property stays on the market. Economic Benefits
The Florida Nursery Growers and Landscape Association did research and compiled
the following statistics: Landscaping
can increase the resale value of a property by as much as 14%; The sale of a
property can increase by as much as six weeks; A landscaped patio can raise
property value by 12.4%; A landscaped curb can increase property value by 4.4%
and hedges can add 3.6%. What's a
good landscape budget? By taking 5% of the home value and spending it on a
low-maintenance but quality landscape the value of your home can increase in
resale value by as much as 15%. Earning you back 150% or more on that landscape
budget. But there is more. When plants are properly selected and placed, the
results can lower heating and cooling cost by as much as 20%. Environmental
Benefits It's a known fact
that plants improve the quality of our air. Did you know that one tree could
remove from the atmosphere around 26 pounds of carbon dioxide per year? When the
proper tree is selected, planted and well maintained it can significantly absorb
sound waves and reduce noise pollution by "eating up" unwanted sound.
Erosion and the flow of pollutants and sediment can be reduced to nearby
bodies of water when landscape buffers are planted. Health and Social
Benefits When workers had a view of natural surroundings like trees
and flowers they suffered less job stress and "felt" more job
satisfaction. They also reported fewer headaches and ailments than workers with
no outside view or those who could only view contracted items from the office
windows. Overall positive feelings
increased, fear and anger was reduced when views of plants were possible. In
inner-city neighborhoods where common areas featured more trees and grass, the
residents used the spaces. This use provided more opportunities for informal
conversation and social interaction. It came down to neighbors building stronger
relationships and bonds with one another simply because of the plant environment
and vegetation. Are you ready to
increase the value of your property with landscaping?
Fall
Planting Guidelines
1.
Dig the hole 3 times wider than the root ball and at least as deep as the
container.
2.
Mix a combination of peat moss, cow manure and compost with your soil.
I recommend at least 1/3 amendment to 2/3 soil.
3.
Before placing the plant in the hole, score the roots with your pruners
or knife. Loosen the roots so they
can spread. (Roots growing in a
circle will continue to do so and the plant will not thrive and might eventually
die.)
4.
Place the plant level with the soil surface and back fill the hole with
your mixed soil. Never plant deeper than it was growing in the pot.
(Exception would be grafted roses.)
5.
Water thoroughly. Use water instead of tamping to settle the plant.
6.
Do NOT fertilize. We do not want to encourage the plant to produce new
above-ground growth that might not have time to harden off.
7.
Once the ground freezes, you can apply 4" mulch to those plants you
feel might need extra help.
Winter Watering
We typically have little or no moisture from October-February. Trees, shrubs and perennials can be damaged if we do not apply additional water during dry periods. The result of these long dry spells can be injury, sometimes death to the plant's root systems. The weakened plant may actually produce spring growth then die when temperatures rise. The weakened plant may be more subject to insect or disease problems. To avoid these problems, we need to winter water. Water when it is above 40 degrees and only at midday so that the water can soak in before the freezing night temperatures. Monitor the weather conditions and water 1 to 2 times a month during those periods with-out snow cover. Remember that the south and west side of the house or windy sites require additional water. By being aware of our environment and applying water during the winter, we should be able to celebrate the coming of spring with little or no winter damage to our trees, shrubs, and perennials. Because evergreens lose moisture from the leaves and needles they hold through the winter, it is important to spray the foliage as well.