Tag Archive for: Community Association

Landscape Remodeling: Impact on Home Value

Understanding the impact of landscape remodeling on your home’s value is crucial when you’re considering home improvements or planning to sell your property. A well-planned, appealing landscape not only enhances your home’s aesthetic appeal but can also significantly boost its market value. This general overview will delve into the key factors that contribute to this increase in value, and go over some important considerations when undertaking such a project.

Boosting Curb Appeal through Landscape Remodeling

First and foremost, landscape remodeling is the best way to enhance curb appeal. Potential buyers are often swayed by their first impression of a property, which is the view they see as they drive up to the open house. A well-designed and maintained front yard can help your home stand out to prospective buyers.

Newly remodeled front yard landscape, transformed into a lush oasis, enhancing curb appeal

Oasis transformation: boosting curb appeal with a lush, redesigned front yard.

Functional Benefits of Landscape Remodeling

The benefits of landscape remodeling aren’t merely aesthetic. Good design serves a functional purpose, playing into the correlation between landscape improvement and house pricing. A well-designed landscape aids in reducing energy costs by providing natural cooling and windbreaks. It assists in managing stormwater runoff and preventing erosion, essential for safeguarding your home’s foundation.

Expanding Usable Outdoor Space with Landscape Remodeling

One of the most delightful aspects of landscape remodeling is the creation of a usable outdoor space. Imagine an outdoor living room nestled in your backyard, a haven for entertaining guests, relaxing, or simply savoring the great outdoors. This appealing feature could be a major draw for buyers who value outdoor recreation and entertainment.

An expanded outdoor living space following a landscape remodel, enhancing the home's exterior functionality.

Expanded serenity: A landscape remodel blending natural elegance with outdoor living.

Balancing Design and Value in Landscape Redesign

It’s crucial to remember that not all investments in landscape redesign will yield an increase in home resale value. Overly intricate designs may not resonate with all buyers and could even act as a deterrent. Landscape remodeling should strike a harmonious balance between aesthetics and functionality. Maybe consider incorporating hardscaping elements like patios and walkways, a variety of plants for visual interest, and functional features such as outdoor lighting and irrigation systems.

Overhead shot of hands drawing out a new landscape remodeling design

Skillful Hands Craft Landscape Redesign.

Understanding the Costs of Landscape Improvement

Now, let’s get down to business. What’s it going to cost? A typical remodeling project can range from $5,000 to $50,000 or more, depending on various factors. These factors include the size of the project, materials used, labor costs, site preparation, and any add-ons like water features, lighting, or an outdoor kitchen. Remember, a higher cost does not always guarantee superior quality. So, make sure to do thorough research when choosing a landscape designer. This is to ensure a satisfactory return on your investment.

Landscape Remodeling’s Impact on Home Value: A Summary

To summarize, the impact of landscape remodeling on home value is significant. A tasteful, well-maintained landscape can greatly enhance your home’s curb appeal, provide functional benefits, and create inviting outdoor spaces. Conversely, neglect or poor landscaping can negatively impact your property’s value. Always plan your landscape remodeling thoughtfully, keeping in mind your local climate and the maintenance requirements of your chosen plants and features. Happy remodeling!

/0 Comments/by

Summertime . . . and the Watering is Easy

Well, summer has arrived and so have the drought restrictions, a regular part of living in Southern California!

The Summertime

Our local water municipalities are good at reminding us to water on certain days of the week. But we at Root & Branch wanted to give you some information and tips to make sure your landscape makes it through the season.

Not to get to science-y, but when a water agency tells you to water early or later in the day, it’s because of evapotranspiration which, in a nutshell, is the rate of which a plant and the soil lose moisture through evaporation. The factors that affect the rate of evaporation are solar radiation, temperature, humidity and wind.

Studies by the Universities of California Davis and Riverside all conclude that watering early in the day is better than watering your gardens in the afternoon. And by early in the day, we mean between 4 AM and 6 AM, when there’s less wind, soil temperatures are cool, and plants’ roots are most able to absorb water.

You might also have heard it is better to water less often but for longer periods of time. Turns out, there’s really good science behind that too. A plant’s root system typically reflects what we see of the plant above ground. Meaning short plants have shallow roots (think grass) and tall trees have large, deep roots.

So if you are watering for a short period of time you’re only getting water just below the surface. This provides water to roots within the top few inches of soil, which isn’t how most plants grow.  Watering for a longer period of time will allow the water to get to the roots at greater depths.

This provides water to the plant, of course, but also encourages the roots to grow deeper into the soil. This then acts as an insulator to the root system in high temperatures.

Grass is a terrific example of this! It should be kept longer in the summer – 2 to 3 inches is good, 4 inches even better. Not only does it shade the ground from the increased blade height, but it also encourages the roots to grow deeper. Also, again, a longer run time less often will encourage those roots to go deep, insulating them from the heat while the blade is insulating them from above. So, tell your gardeners to change the height of the darn mower!

If possible, consider upgrading your irrigation controller to a “smart” one.  Controllers now have moisture sensors and some can now connect to a local weather station and automatically make watering changes based on environmental conditions. As we mentioned, the water needs of plants are affected by sun, temperature, humidity and wind.  These smart controllers do calculations that take into account all these factors, as well as the type of plants they are watering, to make sure you provide the exact amount of water needed, and not a drop more!

 

If that’s not in the budget, consider at least using a water meter. Actually, if you have a garden you should have a water meter. This is the time of year when they are worth their weight in gold. See our blog post about water meters for more information on that topic.

Hopefully you and your garden can beat the heat this summer. A few adjustments – and maybe some tools – are all you need to make it happen for your plants. As always, feel free to comment below, we really enjoy your insights!

/0 Comments/by

How to Choose Healthy Succulents

Shopping for succulents, especially at first, can be overwhelming with all the fanciful shapes and amazing colors. But how do you know if the plant that’s caught your eye is a healthy one that you want to bring home to add to your garden or collection?

First, does the plant have nice, fat leaves? Many succulents have leaves that are water storing machines, so they almost look juicy.

Choose Healthy Succulents:

Are the leaves droopy or are they nice and perky? If a plant has drooping leaves is that how it should look? Or does it have leaves that are shriveled? Both of these on the wrong plant can be an indicator that it has not received the necessary care it needs.

Mushy leaves are something to avoid on succulents. This is a sign of over watering. Also look for dark brown leaf tips, this can be a sign of both over AND under watering. How can you tell which it is? Break out your trusty water meter! (I’ll write a blog on my ABSOLUTE must-have garden tool soon!)

 

Check under the leaves for signs of insects. They love to hide, especially in the heat of the day. Signs of insect infestation include webs, tiny black/brown spots (if they shake off, it could be poop) and of course, the little buggers themselves. Also look into the base of the plant, another insect favorite spot. If you spot them and you want to be helpful, let the nursery staff know what you found.

Who doesn’t Love buying from the Sale Rack? It can be great fun and the discounts can make a plant lover swoon. It does help to know what you’re buying, but let’s be honest, who can resist a pretty plant on sale! Follow the steps above to be sure you’re not bringing home a problem.

If you’re in Southern California, here’s a few succulent-specific nurseries to add to your shopping list:

  • OC Succulents

  • Cactus Ranch

  • California Cactus Center

Author: C.J. Crockett

/0 Comments/by

Our Services

Design
Management
Consulting

Sitemap

Home
About
Design
Management
Consulting
Gallery
Blog
Contact

Hours

Mon- Fri: 9-5pm
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed

Follow Us!

Contact

6285 E. Spring St., #383
Long Beach, CA 90808

Phone: (562) 249-5050
Email: info@rootandbranchdesign.com

Memberships

© 2023 by Root & Branch Landscapes. All Rights Reserved.