UNDERSTANDING YOUR INVESTMENT
Traditional thinking says you should expect to spend from 5% to 15% of your home's value on landscaping. Therefore, for a home worth $200,000, even at the lowest end of that range you're still investing $10,000. The good news is that your investment will pay for itself by increasing the value of your property.
When you're spending that much, it's important to make the right decisions. Here are 10 tips for making the most of your landscaping investment.
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1. Know your property
Sun – What is the quality of sun in your planting areas? How many hours of full sun does each area get? Do you have light shade or deep woods shade?
Soil – What type of soil do you have? In general, the soil in Berks County is tough on plants, with plenty of clay. To ensure your investment in plant material has the best opportunity to thrive, your first steps should include improving the soil by adding topsoil or other soil amendments.
Drainage – Unless a specimen thrives in moist environments, poor drainage results in rotted roots and dead plants. Depending on the severity, drainage issues can be corrected thru re-grading or by improving the soil in the area to be planted.
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2. Plan!
Take the time to really think about your property and how you want to use your outdoor space. Are you interested in outdoor cooking and entertainment; are you dreaming of a private area for relaxation; do you need a play area for children? Look at magazines for ideas and schedule a consultation with a professional. A good plan ensures you’ll be satisfied by the end result and eliminates expensive rework.
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3. Consider a phased approach
Divide your plan into phases and pay as you go to save on loan or credit card costs. You’ll also give yourself the opportunity to make adjustments to your plan before moving on to the next phase.
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4. Work with what you already have
Replacing that large tree in your backyard will cost a few hundred dollars or require years of growing to achieve the same visual impact. Consider incorporating existing trees and plants in your design.
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5. Foundation before flowers
If you want excavation, retaining walls, or hardscape installation, that work should be completed before planting to eliminate rework.
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6. Purchase quality plant material
The cheapest options may not be the best choice when you consider the stress a plant endures when being transplanted. Choosing high quality, well-maintained plants helps ensure you have something to show for your investment of time and money.
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7. Look for true bargains
A discounted plant isn’t a bargain if it dies. Garden centers that sell quality products often offer discounts to repeat customers. Many gallon-size perennials can be divided, which will often cost less than purchasing 2 smaller size plants.
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8. Know when to hire a pro
Doing the work yourself is sometimes not realistic (or fun) for jobs such as grading, digging beds or planting large trees. Consider hiring a professional for these heavy-duty muscle jobs and do the easier planting yourself to conserve funds.
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9. Remember maintenance
Your landscaping investment will be worthless if it’s not maintained. If mowing and weeding aren’t your thing, or you simply don’t have time to spend on upkeep, you have a few options:
Consider hardscape in the form of a patio or outdoor room instead of a large lawn.
Choose groundcovers instead of grass. Groundcovers don’t need mowing and, once established, can choke out weed growth.
Add a rock garden for low maintenance texture and interest.
Use weed barriers under mulch. Weed fabric is a chemical-free way to block weed growth, lasting for 2 to 7 years depending on the fabric quality. A budget-conscious alternative is to recycle newspaper by layering it a few sheets thick under your mulch, overlapping the edges. It will accomplish the same goals as the fabric for a full season before it decomposes. Plastic is not a good choice as a weed barrier because it will block all moisture and dry out your beds.
Go native! Exotic plants can be high maintenance. Reduce care requirements by selecting plants and trees that are native to this region, and plant them in the right location for their needs. Check out the Pennsylvania DCNR website for more information on landscaping with Pennyslvania native plants.
Budget for maintenance - Consider reserving some of your budget for professional maintenance. Custom maintenance packages can be designed so you choose your level of involvement in your property maintenance.
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10. Be patient
Plants will not fully mature for two to three years; longer for trees and many shrubs. Enjoy watching your landscaping plan evolve over time.
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"Land really is the best art." - Andy Warhol
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