Harris Poll conducted a survey for the National Association of Landscape Professionals with just over 2,000 adults, which found that 75% of Americans thought it was important to spend time out in their yards. And almost 90 million households did do-it-yourself lawn and gardening activities last year, showing a renewed interest. On average, a homeowner may spend around four hours a week taking care of their lawn, though this, of course, depends on how much lawn you have, and how avid a gardener or landscaper you are. However, it’s always worth looking into landscaping products and landscape design as a way of improving your property. Almost 90% of real estate agents advise that homeowners should invest in landscaping before they sell and a well curated lawn can make your home more attractive, as well as provide a functional outdoor space for you to enjoy.
Why Should I work On Improving My Landscaping?
Around 90% of Americans who have a yard think it’s important that the yard also be well maintained and over 95% of real estate agents recommended landscaping as one of the top five home improvement suggestions they make. They estimated that a homeowner can expect a 215% return on investment and even spending just 5% of your home’s value on landscaping could net you a return on investment of as much as 150%. If you have your eye on selling your house in the next few years, sinking some money into your property now can yield big results down the road.
However, creating a functional, green space in your yard is important even if you’re not interested in selling. You want your yard to be a place you enjoy spending time and landscaping can create beautiful oases for you to escape to — a charming pathway to a patio area, an outdoor kitchen, a pond, etc.
Where Can I Find the Necessary Landscaping Products?
Visiting a plant nursery or a garden center is imperative if you’re on the hunt for trees, plants, shrubbery, or other ground cover. They’ll also have helpful, knowledgeable staff on hand who can advise you what plants might work best for your purposes or recommend specific varieties of plants. Over 90% of homeowners who added plants to their yards chose plants that were native to the region, for example.
They’re also a good place to get mulch, dirt, and sometimes may even offer landscaping rocks, edgers, or pavers. Home improvement stores are also a good place to visit if you’re looking for landscaping essentials. They’ll have a wide range of landscaping products that you can choose from, and again, staff who can help you make the right choices for your landscape design.
If you live in a more rural area, farms can be a useful place to visit for natural compost or manure, which can be used to improve a garden’s growth and health.
Where Can I Find Helpful Landscape Design Ideas?
Friends with a green thumb are always a good place to start. Even more than providing landscape design ideas, they may also be able to recommend the right landscaping products for you to use, and have resources on hand to share with you. They also may have tricks of the trade to offer from their own experience, which can be invaluable.
In a similar vein, checking out home improvement magazines that offer styling tips for home and gardens can be a fun and visual way to look at different options. They can also give you good leads on landscaping products, other blogs or books to look at, and give you an idea of what kind of style you prefer. Making a “vision board” also isn’t a bad idea. You can view at a glance what styles, colors, and aesthetic you’re drawn to, which in turn, can help you collaborate with a landscape designer much more effectively.
Turn your yard into the paradise you’ve always wanted it to be! Consulting with landscaping professionals is a wonderful way to achieve your vision and create a beautiful new space on your property.
