Since the new year is rapidly approaching, now is the perfect time to start thinking about resolutions. However, while most of us strive for personal things like more savings or a flatter stomach, we believe that you should also resolve to do something for your home as well. After all, renovating and improving your living space can drastically change the way you live, and it doesn’t require a ton of willpower to make it happen.
Landscaping
is often neglected, but it can have a profound effect on the look and feel of your home. As such, we want to highlight some effective new year’s resolutions that will transform your property into something you can be proud of. If you live in New Jersey, these decisions will help you make your house become the jewel of the neighborhood.
#1 Know Your Yard
Before you can really get into landscaping and begin making some fundamental changes to it, you should take the time to understand what is currently in your yard and how to care for it the best you can.
First of all, you should research your environment. In New Jersey, the wild swings of weather mean that you need hardy plants that can withstand the heat of the summer and the frigid winters. Also, you should pay attention to your water needs. Various neighborhoods in the state have limited watering times during the hottest months, so you want plants that don’t require a ton of H2O to survive.
Beyond the climate, you should also research the kinds of plants you have in your yard. Look at what type of fertilizer and soil they thrive in, and see how well they can withstand the rigors of New Jersey weather. If possible, swap out non-native plants for those that evolved within this great state so that you don’t have to perform as much maintenance on them.
#2 Care for the Soil
Considering that the ground is the foundation for all of your lawn and garden plants, it’s imperative that you take care of it as best you can. For example, you may have soil that’s too compact or too loose for certain plants, which can cause problems when they try to grow and expand.
The essential elements of any soil are:
- PH balance: how acidic or basic is your dirt?
- Minerals: what kind of mixture of sand, silt, and clay are your plants growing in?
- Water: how well does the soil absorb water?
- Organic matter: are dead plants and animals in your soil?
If you aren’t sure what kind of soil you have, it’s best to consult an expert and get a thorough inspection. Until you know what you are lacking, you can’t make changes that are guaranteed to work in your yard.
#3 Utilize Fertilizers
Even if you pick a slew of native plants for your home, you will still want to lay down some fertilizer to make sure that they grow and thrive as much as possible. However, it’s essential that you understand which kinds of fertilizer are best. Most mixtures include nitrogen, phosphorous, and other minerals, but they are not all necessary. Typically speaking, nitrogen is going to have the most significant impact, but it can affect different plants in a variety of ways.
Again, you may want to seek professional advice before you start buying bags of fertilizer at the home improvement store.
#4 Update Your Plant Life
Just because grass lawns are the standard for American homes doesn’t mean that you have to stick with it. The fact is that you can spend a lot of time, money, and effort maintaining something that provides no real benefit to you. Sure, you can walk and play on the grass, but how much space do you really need?
Typically, grass is not native to many parts of the country, which is why it takes so much energy to keep it lush and green. Instead, switch to local plant varieties such as fountain grass, dwarf grass, or blue oat grass. There are so many variations that you can transform your lawn simply by adding new types of grass to it.
Trees and flowering shrubs are another fantastic way to update your curb appeal. As long as they are New Jersey natives, you won’t have to spend as much time or money on keeping them looking their best.
#5 Add Physical Features
Walkways, outcroppings, and other installations can be a low-maintenance way to improve the look and functionality of your yard. If you already have something installed in front or back of your home, updating it and refurbishing it can also have a similar effect.
Overall, physical features are going to be the most expensive option, but they can add a lot of curb appeal to your house, as well as make your yards much more practical. Instead of having them look pretty, you can utilize your lawns and gardens in new and exciting ways.
Bottom Line
If you’re ready to make a change to your home’s landscaping, contact Chris James Landscaping today. We have a wide variety of options that will work for your home, and we will make sure that you are completely satisfied.
Thank you for reading our blog! How can we help you? Contact us today.
