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Home Tips
Increase
Value, Save Energy
Landscaping
isn't just about good looks - it
can increase the value of your
home, make it sell more quickly,
and even reduce your energy
bill.
The right
landscape can increase the value
of your home by 15 percent,
allowing you to recoup 100 to
200 percent of your investment,
according to the Association of
Landscape Contractors of
America.
And if
you're selling your house, or
know you will be in the
near-future, a good-looking
landscape is a contributing
factor to good curb appeal
because it is one of the first
things a prospective buyer will
notice. A 1998 study conducted
by the University of Florida
reveals that attractive
landscaping makes a home sell
faster.
That's not
all. The U.S. Department of
Energy says landscaping is the
best long-term investment for
reducing heating and cooling
costs. And according to the
American Public Power
Association, landscaping can
reduce air conditioning costs by
up to 50 percent.
American
Forests has developed a way of
measuring energy conservation
benefits from trees, and reports
that trees can reduce
temperatures by as much as nine
degrees Fahrenheit. A single
urban tree can save up to $273 a
year in air conditioning.
The
National Association of Home
Builders recently reported that
sales of new homes in July
increased 6.7 percent over the
June rate, reaching record
levels. With so many new homes
popping up - usually with little
or no landscaping - it's
important for new-home owners to
maintain and improve their
landscape to increase their
home's value, reduce energy
bills, and someday sell at top
dollar.
Now that
you're sold on landscaping,
where do you start? Here are
some tips from the experts:
- Develop
a plot plan. Using paper and
coloured pencils, sketch a
simple drawing of your yard
depicting your house, streets,
walks, driveways, patios, and
utilities. Identify potential
uses for different areas of
your yard - vegetable gardens,
flower beds, lawns, and play
areas.
- Conduct
a site analysis. Think about
sun and wind for both summer
and winter. Mark the areas of
your yard needing shade or
wind protection. Highlight
areas where landscaping height
or width may be restricted.
Determine which areas suffer
from poor drainage and
standing water. Think about
your existing trees and
shrubs. Have soil tests made
and note the soil type and
topsoil depth on your site
analysis. (County Extension
Centers can provide
information on free soil
testing.)
- Assess
your family's needs. Think
about access to the house,
including walkways, driveways,
parking, outdoor entertaining,
children's play areas, sports,
recreation, and extra parking.
Consider storage for garden
equipment and don't forget
space for things like garbage
cans, clothesline, dog pens
and firewood.
-
Determine your budget. Keep in
mind that landscaping is
usually an incremental
process.
- Locate
use areas. Refer to your list
of family needs and decide
where to locate the areas for
various uses. Record these
areas using another sheet of
tracing paper taped over the
plot plan.
- Develop
use areas. Try adding a focal
point to the entrance area. If
unsightly utility areas are
visible from your house or
patio, a screening wall or
hedge may be needed. Don't
forget to screen off unsightly
areas from the neighbours.
- Design.
To create a good visual,
consider group planting, and
keep your landscape features
in scale with the both the
house and neighbouring plants.
The colour of your plantings
should complement your home's
colour. Also think about the
textures of trees and shrubs
and how the foliage will look
year-round. You'll also want
to establish bed lines at this
point.
-
Construct. Landscape
professionals can help you
choose and locate new trees,
shrubs, or ground cover, so
share your drawings and ideas
with employees at your local
nursery. Always determine
spacing by the mature size of
plants and trees, and plan for
at least 1 foot of extra
clearance between plants and
the wall of your home. Locate
deciduous trees where you will
benefit from summer shade and
winter sun. After consulting a
landscape professional, go
back to your drawings and add
the new information on
species, shape, and
mature-size spacing. This
provides a final, pre-purchase
review to make sure that all
elements will work well
together.
- Plant.
When you are ready to make a
purchase, avoid buying damaged
plants. The plants you use
should be of specimen quality.
After you purchase the plants,
be sure to keep tiny root
hairs damp and shaded at all
times before planting.
-
Maintain. You'll want to make
sure you have a watering
system that gives all your new
plantings adequate water. Keep
your lawn mowed. You'll also
need to set a fertilizing
schedule to bring your new
greenery to its maximum
potential. And, if needed,
keep trees, shrubs, and
flowers pruned to encourage
new growth and extra blooms.
- Accent
and improve. A good landscape
is always a work in progress.
Each season add a new
perennial or two, plant some
bulbs in the fall for vibrant
spring blooms, and add some
seasonal annuals to provide
some instant colour. You may
also want to consider
fountains, yard art, or
attractive benches as new
additions.
Remember
that quality, not quantity, will
enhance your landscape. With a
little careful planning and
effort, it's relatively
inexpensive and easy to reap the
rewards of landscaping your
home. |
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