5 Essential Tips for a Healthy, Attractive Landscape
Your landscape affects more than just your home’s curb appeal; it affects your home’s value. According to Better Homes & Gardens (BHG), an attractive, well-manicured landscape increases a home’s value by 5 percent to 15 percent on average. To take advantage of these benefits, follow these five essential landscaping tips.
Add Mulch to Flowerbeds
Adding a layer of organic mulch to your flowerbeds will protect them from invasive weeds by covering otherwise exposed soil. Whether you prefer wood chips, compost or cocoa husks, evenly sprinkle mulch in your flowerbeds until you’ve created a 1- or 2-inch layer. It will help a lot.
Rake Leaves During Fall and Winter
You may not need mow your lawn as frequently in fall and winter as summer, but you’ll still need to rake leaves off it. Allowing fallen leaves to accumulate on your lawn increases the risk of fungal diseases like snow mold. The leaves trap moisture underneath, creating the ideal habitat for fungus. To reduce the risk of fungal disease affecting your lawn, rake and remove leaves at least once a week during the fall and winter months.
Water Lawn in the Evenings
You can’t always rely on rain to hydrate your lawn. If there’s a dry spell in your area, you’ll need to water your lawn so that it doesn’t dry out and die. Rather than watering in the mornings, though, consider doing it in the evenings. Waiting to water until later in the day encourages the soil to retain more moisture. If you water your lawn in the mornings, the midday sun will evaporate more of the water.
Inspect for Dead and Diseased Trees
When inspecting your landscape, look for dead or diseased trees. Each year, fallen trees and tree limbs kill hundreds of people in the United States. While healthy trees can topple over during severe weather, dead and diseased trees have a higher risk of falling. Signs of a dead tree include a hollow trunk, large sections of missing bark, decaying roots and few or no leaves growing the branches. Signs of a tree infected with a fungal disease include discolored leaves, abnormal bark patterns and the growth of mushrooms or other fungal colonies. If you need help identifying a potentially dead or diseased tree in your landscape, consult with a professional arborist Shelton CT.
Beware of Waterlogged Grass
When it rains, go outside and look at your landscape to see if the grass is waterlogged. Even during heavy downpours, rainwater should flow off your landscape and into an appropriate drainage system. Unfortunately, this doesn’t always happen, especially with improperly graded landscapes. If rainwater fails to flow off your landscape, the grass will become soft and soggy. Unless it quickly dries out, this waterlogged grass will die, forcing you to replant it. Creating a healthy landscape requires time and hard work, but it’s worth the investment in the long run. It will compliment your home’s aesthetics while creating a more enjoyable outdoor area for you and your family in the process.
