October Lansdcaping Tips

October is a great month to get all the last minute items done on your property.  It is still warm enough … but not for long.  The following are some items you should accomplish before it gets too cold.

Landscaping

·       Continue planting trees and shrubs.

·       Transplant trees and shrubs.

·       Planting of ornamental Kale, Mums, etc., which will decorate your property for Fall.

Beds

·       Clean perennial beds – deadhead blooms, prune to shape or cut back dead foliage.

·       Mulch to a depth of 2” for winter protection

·       Remove leaves from beds.

·       Continue to edge beds.

·       Prune – make sure it is the proper time for the particular plant, though.

·       Continue to water, especially new plantings.

Lawn

·       Mow lawn, as needed.

·       Remove leaves from lawn.

·       Fertilize lawn

·       Core Aerate and Overseed, if not already done. You can do this through mid-October.

Need help with any of these items, or have any questions, give Truesdale Landscaping a call.

Designing Your Space

Since there is not a lot going on in February in regards to landscaping, this is the perfect time to start on ideas of what you want to do when spring arrives.  Start the process now!

Budget – come up with a budget on how much you wish spend on your landscaping this year.  Remember that your landscape adds to the value and beauty of your home.

Decide how long you expect to stay in your home.  Remember that if you are putting your home on the market, Curb Appeal makes a difference.  If you plan on staying in your home for a while, why not invest in the landscape and make it a place you want to surround yourself in. 

What would you want to do with the space you have?  There are so many options: 

• Foundation beds to add a flare to the house itself. 
• Privacy screen/hedge from neighbors. 
• Privacy nook for your own private time of relaxation.  
• Entertainment options – larger patio, greener/lusher lawn, a “picture” perfect place where everyone would enjoy – think of this as another room in your house.

What added features would you need?  Patio, walkway, wall, drainage?

Once you have worked on these steps, then it is time to decide on the design aspects.  Which plants, pavers, stones, trees, shrubs, annuals, mulch, etc. do you want to use?  What would grow well in the area you have chosen?  Is the area in shade? Does the area get water – is there a sprinkler system?  Is the area too wet? What is the soil in that area like? Realize that these are very important questions to allow your plants to grow. 

Next you should think of seasonal colors.  When designing an area, it isn’t just about how pretty all the plants are but, also, when they will be showing off their spark.  You will probably want to pick plants that “show off” at different times so that there is always seasonal interest.  Find out what plants flower in spring and which will flower in summer.  How will these plants look and react in fall and winter?  Which evergreens might look good in a specific area and how big will they get?

We are hoping that these questions will start you on the path to creating a beautiful yard that you will enjoy throughout the year. 

If you would like assistance, we have landscape design specialists who would be able to assist you.  We recommend scheduling soon so that all will be prepared ahead of time.  In that way, as soon as the warmer weather hits, we can make your designs come to life.

Landscaping Increases Value of Your Home

Are you selling your home in the near future? Sellers often overlook the importance of a home's curb appeal. Too often they are busy fixing up the inside that they forget to stage the outside. After all, that is the home buyer's first impression. You want it to be a good one. 

Research shows that in 2103, only 49% of home sellers realized that landscape improvements could help bring about a quick sale at a good return on their investment. 71% of home buyers feel that curb appeal is very important. If they don't like the way a property looks from the front, they often don't want to go inside.  

A landscaping investment could potentially increase the value of your home by 12-20%. Spending as little as 5% of your home's value on landscaping may get a return of as much as 150-200% of the amount you invested. These figures rival the return on a new kitchen or bathroom!  

Most people today look at the outside as an extension to their home's living space. There is a desire to spend more free time together outdoors. Making the outdoors inviting, with patios, beautiful gardens, etc. will not only be a joy while living in a home but will be a real asset when it's time to sell.

The biggest mistake that homeowners make is a piecemeal approach to their landscaping. Projects are done here and there without an overall, cohesive plan. Everything doesn't have to be done at once but a great overall design of your yard actually saves you from the pitfalls of a hodgepodge look that can give property a disorganized feel.

If you're thinking of selling in the short term, call us to stage the exterior of your home. Whether it's removing overgrown plants, replacing dead shrubs, taking out items obscuring windows, updating walkways or front stoops, Truesdale Landscaping can help.

Updating or adding to existing landscapes can make
all the difference so call us today - 908-834-2675.