Landscape Adds to Home Value

 It is conventional wisdom that a well-landscaped home increases property value. In fact, according to the American Society of Landscape Architects, great landscaping can increase your home's value by up to 20 percent! Landscaping also allows homeowners to control storm runoff and drainage. When it rains, water should flow away from your home. If it collects around the base of your home, it can cause significant property damage, creating an ideal environment for rot and mold. 

 Your new lawn needs to be watered twice a day, for about 20 minutes per session every day for at least two months. This should be enough so that your lawn gets a solid six inches of watering per cycle. Remember, if you walk on your sod before its roots have established, you're lessening your chances of success. The general recommendation is to wait two weeks – but the number of days you wait is really dependent on determining that the lawn has, indeed, taken root. 

The best time to water plants is in the morning or evening. Morning watering is actually preferable to evening watering as the plant has time to dry before the sun goes down. At night, water tends to rest in the soil, around the roots, and on the foliage, which encourages rot, fungal growth, and insects.

You need to water your lawn at least two times a day for the initial three weeks after the grass seed is spread. The best time to do this is during the early morning, or evening. You should not water during the hottest part of the day, since the sun is just going to evaporate the water. During this period of time, you need to keep the lawn moist, but avoid making it soggy insuring you don’t allow puddles to form. You need to allow the grass to reach a height of four inches before you mow it for the first time. While you are mowing it, only cut the grass from four inches to three. Also, make sure the blade you are using on your lawn mower is sharp and that your lawn is dry.

The netting is supposed to stay in the ground until it disintegrates, and there is no practical reason to remove the netting at any point in the process. Taking it up only increases the likelihood that everything you put in the ground will blow away – defeating the purpose. As long as it's not causing an obstruction (which it shouldn't), there's no reason to get rid of it.

Mulch provides a buffer zone to keep lawnmowers and weed whips away from young trees. Clipping the grass around trees by hand is time-consuming. By adding a 4-in.-deep ring of mulch, you eliminate that chore. You’ll also better protect newly planted trees and bushes. Nursery pros report that the most common reason young trees die is that lawn mowers and weed whips damage the bark. For a neater look, surround the mulch with a plastic, metal or brick border.

CLEANER FOR BRICK PAVERS

You can use Simple Green Oxy Solve Concrete and Driveway Cleaner or Simple Green, diluted to recommendations on the product, with or without a pressure washer. If scrubbing is required, be sure to use a non-abrasive nylon brush. It removes oil, grease, grime and most stains and discolorations. You could also try using hot water and a mild detergent. 

POLYMERIC SAND REPLACEMENT

Polymeric sand is usually good for about ten years, so re-sanding costs are saved when using this type of sand. 

SEALER REAPPLICATION

Generally speaking, you should seal your pavers every 3-5 years. You will notice if and when your pavers begin to fade or show signs that they need resealing. You also have to consider the placement of the pavers.