While most people spend the majority of their time indoors, we are all undeniably drawn outside to soak in the sights and sounds of nature. There’s just something about the sunshine, green grass, pretty flowers, sweet fragrances, and animals that make the outdoors relaxing and rejuvenating. Our escape from the daily grind!
Do you have a nice outdoor space to retreat to at your home? If not, it’s something worth consideration. In fact, a beautifully landscaped lawn can make a world of difference for your family. It will boost curb appeal, improve a first impression, and generate overall wellbeing.
Whether you’re looking to add some greenery, flower beds, bubbling water features, or other enhancements to your yard, consider the range of benefits you can expect from adding diverse landscaping to your property.
Grass and Trees Provide Cooler Temperatures
A simple grass lawn is cooler than asphalt, cement and even bare soil. With grass radiating cooler temperatures all around your home or business, you can actually lower your air-conditioning needs. Wouldn’t it be nice to have some extra money to do something fun with your family this summer? And did you know that tall trees on the south and west sides of the building can provide shade during the hottest times of day and lower your attic temperatures by as much as 40 degrees? They also can reduce glare through the windows. How many of you know how hot it is to walk downtown on a hot summer day? Walking on the sidewalk or through a parking lot is like walking on hot coals during the heat of the day. The heat coming up from the grounds can make you feel miserably hot. Well guess what? Planting more grass and trees in these areas can help! The cooling effects of grass and shady trees lower the overall temperature of urban areas, making it more pleasant to be outside.
Landscapes are Good for the Air and Water
Did you know that grass and trees are hard at work every day capturing dust and smoke particles, removing carbon dioxide, and producing life-giving oxygen? In fact, a single tree can remove 26 pounds of carbon dioxide from the air every year, canceling out the emissions of driving a car 11,000 miles. So, planting grass and trees is one simple way that all of us can help protect the environment! Another interesting fact supporting landscapes with trees is that one tree can also supply enough oxygen for four people every day. What a great reason to plant a tree! With the storm season in full swing, lush landscapes can actually help. They act as storm water runoff buffers, reducing the flow of sediments and pollutants to nearby bodies of water. In effect, plants help filter out pollution from the water on its way to a city’s source of drinking water. Woody plants along shorelines also reduce erosion and flooding downstream.
Xeriscaping Reduces the Use of Natural Resources
Xeriscaping is a landscaping method that requires little or no irrigation.
During the hot days of summer, many regions will have water restrictions. To avoid the impact of these restrictions on your landscaping, you may want to try xeriscaping. While xeriscaping offers many benefits, the most substantial is the chance to conserve water, which is especially important in dry climates. Since 30 percent of the water consumed in the U.S. is for outdoor use, the potential financial savings are substantial. Smaller grass lawns combined with more diverse ground coverings, trees and shrubs can also reduce fuel consumption and pollution generated by landscaping equipment, such as lawn mowers and trimmers. Xeriscaping helps reduces noise pollution from operating this equipment, too.
Outdoor Living Areas Improve Quality of Life
Landscaping improves quality of life in cities with several physical and psychological benefits. For example, just looking at plants is shown to reduce blood pressure. Walking through a natural environment, even in the middle of a city, improves attention and memory. People living in neighborhoods with community green spaces report lower stress levels and lower healthcare costs.
Landscapes Offer Economic Benefits
Did you know that businesses that have high-quality landscapes tend to be more successful? It’s true! Customers claim to spend more money on goods and services if the commercial building has a high-quality tree canopy; and shoppers say they’re willing to travel longer distances to shop in a district with better landscaping. They also say they stay longer once they arrive if the landscaping is peaceful. As a homeowner, you are looking for ways to gain the best benefit for your investment. When you landscape your yard, you can rest assured that your investment will increase your home’s market value. Home buyers are usually willing to spend more on a house if it has professional landscaping, both front and back.
Water Features Make Landscaping One-of-a-Kind
Aesthetically pleasing water features placed in your landscape can add unique texture, natural sounds, and new wildlife to your property. Finding the perfect backdrop for any outdoor living area can help turn a boring landscape into one the neighbors or community will remember.
Water features also require very little maintenance and don’t consume a lot of water thanks to circulating pumps.
Retaining Walls Prevent Erosion
If your property is located on a hill, a retaining wall prevents elevated soil from sliding toward the building when it rains. The barrier is practical, but it can also add to the appearance of your landscaping. Retaining walls can create tiered pathways, spots for additional seating or a creative garden area. In some cases, a retaining wall may provide privacy too. Many different materials are available for retaining walls, offering design flexibility for your property. The experts at Greenough Landscapes can offer numerous suggestions that will be sure to meet your needs. As cities continue to grow, the need for community green spaces and personal backyard oasis will keep expanding as well. In fact, landscaping is vital for a healthy body and mind. When you choose to add creative landscapes, you are even helping the environment and boosting your bottom line if the landscape design is implemented correctly.
For help with designing a landscape that meets your needs, please contact Greenough Landscapes!
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