You probably have numerous healthy new year’s resolutions to improve your life in 2017 but chances are you haven’t thought about improving your landscape. Well, you might want to consider adding it to your good new year’s resolution list because it can provide some great benefits for your home and health. Studies show that well landscaped properties with mature trees can increase home values by 10%. Improving your landscape might also help with your other new year resolution ideas; being around trees and shrubs has shown to improve the human immune system, decrease high blood pressure, lower obesity, and boost overall health. Improve your property this year with our 7 landscape tips to improve your landscape in the new year.
- Plant Some Instant Color
Planting bright colored flowers in spring, summer, and fall is a great way to spice up the look of your landscape. Bright colors can draw the eye away from unsightly fixtures and create a focal point in your landscape. You can even use a combination of colors to root for your favorite sports team or Alma mater. This is one of few new year resolution ideas that lets you procrastinate until the spring months, accomplish your goal in a short amount of time, and have a reminder of your achievement all season long. - Go Native
If you already have an active garden or landscape try something new this year by going native in the new year. Native plants have years of practice developing natural defenses to regional insects, diseases, and weather. By planting native plants you increase their chances of survival for years to come. Not only will this save on expenses but it will also create a healthier and more aesthetically pleasing landscape. - Shape Unsightly Or Overgrown Trees And Shrubs
Spruce up your landscape by pruning your overgrown and unshaped trees and shrubs. Pruning the trees and shrubs on your property can greatly improve the health and aesthetics of your landscape. Proper pruning will remove dead and diseased branches to allow the tree to thrive and prevent the spread of disease to the rest of the tree. Pruning will also make your yard look neater, more put together, and create a brighter and healthier bloom in the next growing season. The best thing about this new year’s resolution is that the affects of pruning last for 3-5 years. Out of all the healthy new year’s resolutions out there, you won’t find many that last for up to 5 years without effort to maintain them. - Subscribe To A Canopy Protection Program
Try a canopy protection program to keep your trees and shrubs healthy and bring out their best colors and blooms. Cherished landscapes are constantly subjected to environmental stress such as insects, disease, weather fluctuations, construction, over-or-under watering, soil compaction, and pollution. These stresses severely compromise the ability of trees and shrubs to thrive and must be addressed in order to sustain a healthy and vigorous landscape. Routine monitoring and timely treatments through a canopy protection program can protect your landscape from these stresses which protects your property investment and reduces expenses in the long run. - Protect Your Yard From Deer
Don’t let deer destroy all of the hard work and money you put into your landscape. Deer damage can be costly, unsightly, and even deadly. During the harsh winter months when the food supply is low, deer will feast on your plants and tear apart your gardens. In some cases this damage can have long-term effects on your landscape. Annually deer damage exceeds $2 billion nationwide. If that wasn’t bad enough, deer also bring deadly disease carrying ticks into your yard threatening the safety of your loved ones. Enroll in a deer control program to protect your family and landscape - Plant A Tree For A Life Event Or In Memory & Help It Grow.
Did you lose someone this year? Or did a loved family member accomplish a life event? Commemorate the person or their accomplishment by planting a tree in their honor/memory. Trees planted in memory of a loved one can be a great way to teach future generations about that person and the lasting impact they had on your life. And trees commemorating a life event can be a great way to look back and see how far that loved family member has come since their accomplishment. - Make Your Landscape Eco-Friendly.
Take the challenge to make your landscape eco-friendly in the new year. Not only will you be helping the environment but you will be saving yourself money on heating and electricity bills. Start off by planting windbreaks. Windbreaks are strategically placed conifer trees that create a wall against cold winter winds. By placing them on the north and northwest sides of your property you can save up to 30% on your heating costs. Next plant large deciduous trees on the east, west, and northwest sides of your home. This will create soothing shade from the hot summer sun and reduce air conditioning cost by up to 35%. With these additions to your property you can conserve energy, reduce energy bills, and fight climate change. - Plant A Vegetable Garden
Grow your own food in 2017 by planting a vegetable garden. This is one of a few healthy new year’s resolutions that will not only get you spending time outside and learning new things but also get you eating healthier. First start by finding your growing zone so you know what will grow. The zone for the DC Metro area is Zone 7. In this zone, try planting tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants for you warm season crops and broccoli, spinach, and brussels sprouts for your cool season crops.
Need help completing these new year resolution ideas? Schedule a free consultation by calling 703.573.3029 or book online.
