Maintaining your property’s landscape is all about keeping it aesthetically pleasing and secure. Typically, it includes maintaining the driveway, garden, and other areas of the property. It also covers duties specific to the season, such as weeding and fertilizing, caring for the lawn, clearing snow, and more.
Improves Curb Appeal
Curb appeal is an essential element for the exterior appearance of your home. The front of your home should be well-maintained with a tidy front porch, clean siding, attractive door, and well-kept walkways and driveways. On the other hand, an overgrown lawn or shrubbery is not appealing and will take away from the curb appeal of your property. Most potential buyers decide on a home within the first 10 seconds of its appearance, so it is vital to pay close attention to this area. According to experts in landscaping maintenance Arlington, VA, adding plants is a great way to add color and make a big impact without blocking the view. Consider planting seasonal perennials or deciduous shrubs, which are great for the winter and add color throughout the year. Native plants also provide curb-worthy color and attract wildlife.
Reduces Energy Costs
Landscaping is an excellent way to reduce heating costs and cool your home. It can also protect your home from cold winds in winter. Lastly, it will increase the value of your property. An adequately landscaped lawn will decrease energy bills by 10 to 30 percent. The best landscapes utilize air circulation and cooling shade. In summer, planting trees can save as much as 25 percent of energy. These trees can admit winter sunlight during winter, lowering your heating and cooling costs by as much as one-third. Additionally, trees provide windbreaks, which can cut winter heating bills by up to 30 percent. Landscaping can save you money all year long. For example, planting a large deciduous tree near your home will lower your cooling bill by as much as 30 percent. Using low-growing shrubs will also reduce the heat radiated by the sun.
Keeps Weeds Under Control
A great way to keep weeds under control is to cultivate your lawn or garden regularly. This will prevent weeds from developing large root systems and keep the soil free of invasive plants. In addition, regular weeding will prevent weeds from sprouting in areas between plants. You can also cultivate the soil between rows to discourage weed growth. Organic mulch is a great weed barrier. Ideally, mulch should be two to three inches thick. Not only will this help retain moisture in your soil, but it will also smother weed seeds and kill them. Non-organic mulch is less effective because it doesn’t break into a healthy soil environment.
Increases Privacy
A beautiful landscape can provide you with a sense of privacy. You can use plants to screen out unwanted views, and structures can add even more privacy. A pergola, for example, can provide year-round privacy because it has a roof and walls. You can even cover the roof with climbing vines. Other structures, such as sheds, can block views depending on their angle. Even in a small yard, privacy landscaping is an excellent way to create a private, cozy room. You can use plants and rocks to create accents. In addition, you can create an outdoor room using a deck or patio.