Your landscape is a great space to enjoy, but if you can’t get around that space, you won’t enjoy your outdoor living nearly as much as you could. From patios and decks to gardens, flowerbeds, sheds, play areas and more, circulation is critical to make the most of your landscape and enjoy every inch you have so thoughtfully cultivated.

Where Are You Going?

Before you start planning pathways and circulation space in your landscape, it is important to recognize where you are going and what pathways you will use the most. This is your landscape’s hierarchy of circulation, and depends on what features you have and how you use them. The locations of access points, such as doors or gates, and how they relate to the biggest features of your yard – a pool, deck, patio, hot tub, gazebo, garden, play set, etc. – will help determine how pathways should flow through your yard. The widest, most welcoming pathways should be between the most frequently used features and access points to make moving around your outdoor space safer and more convenient. Lesser used features, such as a private meditation niche or a shed that stores seasonal tools, may have smaller, narrower paths, or may not even need circulation pathways at all.

While you are considering the circulation between major spaces in your outdoor living area, don’t forget smaller circulation concerns as well. For example, a comfortable seating area with a fire pit or dining table won’t be so comfortable if guests aren’t able to move around furniture or other obstacles safely and easily. Also be sure that pathways aren’t crossing undesirable areas, such as passing closely by private windows or leading guests around less aesthetic features, such as utility boxes, air conditioners or trash cans.

How Will You Get There?

Once you have plotted where the pathways belong in your outdoor space, you need to decide what types of pathways will meet your needs. Factors to consider include…

• Width – The path should be proportional to the yard and allow for easy access to the space
• Material – Pavers, gravel, mulch, timbers and natural stone are all popular pathway options
• Layout – Paths can have gentle curves to wind and flow or may be more straightforward
• Architecture – Design pathways to coordinate with the house style and landscape design
• Elevation – If steps are necessary, be sure they are safe and secure for all types of visitors
• Views – Envision pathway routes to be sure they are as pleasing to the eye as the feet

There are many different ways to plan proper circulation in, around and through an outdoor space, and careful consideration of these different factors will ensure you enjoy every step along the paths you create.

Make Paths a Pleasure

Circulation is not just a necessity in your outdoor space, it can be a pleasurable part of your landscape, especially when you consider the journey as well as the destination. To make the most of your circulation paths and help each one enhance your landscape…

• Enter Elegantly – Use a gate or archway to mark the entrance to your paths and welcome guests to step into your landscape. Natural arches or structures can both be fun options.
• Add Borders – A bordered path has a finished, elegant appeal. Opt for contrasting textures, angled pavers or even fun plants to frame your pathways.
• Provide Niches – An unexpected niche or node along the path can be a treasure to find. Benches, fountains, specimen plants or other accents are all beautiful options.
• Light the Way – Lighting is essential for safe pathways, particularly where there may be stairs or uneven terrain, but fun lights such as lanterns or rope lights also add personal flair to the path.
• Consider Customization – Add fun, customized surprises along pathways, such as quirky stepping stones, children’s handprint rocks or even initials and other personalization.

From the first step to the last, how you move around your landscape is essential to be sure you can access the spaces you want and enjoy getting from one to another. Our experts can help you plan the best circulation for all your outdoor living spaces – contact us today to take your first step to a landscape you’ll love to move around in!

For many people, their home is the single most expensive purchase they will ever make in their lives. Once that purchase is made, a great deal of time, effort and money will go into home maintenance over the years, from painting rooms and replacing carpeting to general repairs and more elaborate renovations. Few homeowners realize, however, that the care and maintenance of their lawn and landscaping is equally valuable for the upkeep of their home and its tremendous investment.

Why Landscaping Matters

Landscaping is one of the first things you notice about a new home even before you consider purchasing it, and after you move in, your landscaping will greet and welcome your family members, friends and guests. Yet landscaping is far more than just a pretty picture that frames your home, it also performs a number of practical, essential tasks that add to the value of your home and property, including…

• Providing shade to promote energy efficiency with heating and cooling
• Providing a windbreak to lessen severe weather
• Creating privacy barriers to shield windows or outdoor living spaces
• Enhancing security by creating natural barriers to unwanted entry
• Managing pests and overall property pest control
• Welcoming native wildlife for plant pollination or pest control
• Contributing to food production with gardens, berry bushes or fruit trees

With so much value that your landscape can add to your home, proper maintenance is essential not only to keep it looking its best, but also to ensure that it fulfills all these functions admirably.

If You Don’t Maintain Your Landscape

While a well-maintained landscape can be a great asset to your home, a poorly maintained landscape can be equally damaging to your property’s value. If your landscaping isn’t well cared for, many difficult problems can arise, far beyond a loss of curb appeal or aesthetic appearance. Problems that can be caused by unkempt or improperly planned landscaping include…

• Damage to septic tanks, irrigation systems and other underground pipes
• Falling branches disconnecting power lines or other wires
• Damage to the roof, gutters or awnings
• Contamination of a pool, hot tub, backyard pond or other water feature
• Staining a deck, patio or walkway with fallen debris
• Cracking concrete from root growth
• Invitations for insects to invade the home’s perimeter
• Spread of diseases among landscaping plants

When problems become severe, not only can there be tremendous costs for repairs, but homeowners may also be subject to fines, fees or other penalties from homeowner associations or municipal guidelines. These costs can be far higher and more troublesome than the price of proper maintenance and landscaping upkeep.

Landscaping Maintenance to Consider

There are many different types of lawn and landscaping maintenance to consider, all of which can add value to your property and prevent unsightly and potentially expensive problems. Different options include…

• Regular lawn care, from weekly mows and trims to seasonal dethatching, fertilization, weed control and repair for brown patches or thin areas
• Pruning and shaping of trees and shrubs to maintain proper shapes and foster healthy, lush growth for the plants to reach their full potential
• Tree and stump removal and turf reshaping to renew areas where plants need to be removed due to age, size or health
• Seasonal cleanup of flowerbeds or naturalized areas, including raking, brush cleanout, selective pruning and mulch renewal
• Flowerbed nourishment with soil amendments, fertilization and similar treatments to encourage better blooming and more floral color
• Irrigation plans, from full planning and installation of a new sprinkler system to necessary maintenance and emergency repairs
• Pest and weed control for lawns, flowerbeds, borders and other areas using appropriate techniques to control or eliminate unwanted guests

Whether a one-time service is necessary to correct a simple problem or ongoing services are desired to keep your landscaping looking its very best throughout the year, proper landscaping maintenance adds tremendous value to your home and is a smart investment for your property.

The hardscaping in your landscape, including pathways, steps and patios, is a key element of your yard, and the decision to opt for natural stone or pavers is not one to consider lightly or without scrutiny of both materials. By carefully comparing the pros and cons of each option, you can choose the best material and design for your home, needs and budget.

About Natural Stone

Natural stone is any stone material that has been naturally quarried for construction use, including home interiors as well as landscaping. There are different types of stone that make ideal landscaping options, including flagstone, slate, granite, limestone and fieldstone. Each one has a unique texture and variable colors, with rich, natural appeal. The stones may be cut rugged or smooth to suit different design preferences, and can be fitted into any type of landscaping design. Many designers opt to use natural stone for a more rugged or rustic look, and it is always beautiful when the type of stone is matched to the surrounding region for an integrated look.

There are several pros to using natural stone for your landscaping needs, including…

• Natural material has color and texture variations for more visual interest
• Generally does not require sealants or other treatments to stay at its peak
• Extremely durable when correctly cut and installed, making it ideal for heavy use
• More of an artisan look with a timeless appeal

Of course, natural stone may not be ideal for every landscaping project. The potential cons of using natural stone include:

• Potentially more expensive than pavers or other manufactured options
• Requires more expertise and extensive labor to install correctly
• Top layers on certain types of stones may occasionally shear or splinter off

About Pavers

Pavers are engineered concrete stone, often created in uniform, symmetrical shapes. Because they are more geometric than natural stone, they have much more flexibility for landscaping design options, and because they are engineered, there are more color options than most natural stones. The color is also more uniform, which can give your landscaping a more formal or planned look than the rustic nature of natural stone.

The benefits of using pavers for all your hardscaping needs include…

• Greater customization for project designs and color choices
• Generally cheaper than natural stone, depending on options
• Less time to install a complete project, so you can be enjoying it sooner
• Easier to repair or replace if any one paver is damaged
• Durable material is suitable for both moderate and heavy use

Just as with natural stone, however, there are cons that must be considered before choosing pavers for your patio, driveway, paths, edging or other projects, such as…

• Slight fading is common after installation, particularly in full sun
• Joints and seams need to be periodically resanded
• Stones may absorb stains if sealant is not applied and renewed appropriately
• Smaller stones may settle more easily if not installed properly

Considering the Value of Natural Stone vs. Pavers

Whichever material you choose, both natural stone and pavers can add value and beauty to your landscaping and outdoor living areas. Professional assistance from start to finish will ensure the project looks its best, meets your needs and will have fewer long-term difficulties. The very best value for both natural stone and engineered pavers will include expert design consultation, a thorough project plan and experienced installation.

Choosing between natural stone and pavers is a very personal decision, and different projects and design preferences may prefer either material. The choice often depends on the available budget, the amount of use the area will receive and how to coordinate with the house and surrounding landscape. Properly done, however, both materials can add amazing value to your property and you will enjoy your hardscaped areas for many years to come.

Landscaping has a tremendous impact on the value, curb appeal and aesthetic beauty of your home. If your landscaping feels outdated, old or worn, however, it is not necessary to rip out all the plants and start from scratch. Updating an existing landscape can be a faster, easier and more cost-efficient approach to give your property a fresh appearance.

When to Update Your Landscape

Even without starting from a blank slate, updating your landscape can be an overwhelming project. There are times when updating is a good value, however, and can actually create savings or bring you significant profits.

• The Overgrown Landscape
  Shaggy, overgrown landscaping may be causing problems you aren’t aware of, such as damaging underground water or septic pipes, gas lines or electrical cables. Elevated lines could also be damaged by falling branches. An overgrown landscape will block views and could scratch your home’s siding, cause roof damage or stain or crack concrete in the sidewalk, driveway or patio areas. All of these problems can lead to very costly repairs.
• The For Sale Landscape
  If you plan on selling your home, the landscaping is one of the first things potential buyers will notice. Poorly maintained landscaping gives a bad first impression that could discourage buyers, while an updated landscape adds significant value and may increase the sales price. A complicated landscape might put off buyers who aren’t interested in outdoor maintenance, but a simple, fresh landscape can welcome new owners to your home.
• The Unused Landscape
  A lush lawn and ornamental plantings may be pretty, but they don’t necessarily add value to your home. Updating your landscape to include gardening space and edibles such as fruit trees, berry bushes and fresh herbs, however, can dramatically cut grocery bills. Similarly, a wide swath of lawn does no good to your quality of life if you don’t enjoy it, but adding a recreation area, entertaining space or other outdoor living areas can be a fantastic value.
• The High Maintenance Landscape
  Complicated gardens, plants that require extensive care and lawns that need generous fertilizing and watering can be a significant financial drain on homeowners. Updating your landscape to minimize lawn surfaces or opt for lower-care options can be a beautiful way to modernize your property and lower the time and money needed to keep it looking its best.

By updating your landscape, you can save both time and money, and you’ll find yourself enjoying your new landscape much more than any outdated design.

Ideas to Update Your Landscape for the Most Value

Depending on your reasons for updating your landscape, its existing condition and the budget and timeline you have for the project, there are many options that will add good value to your property. Popular choices include…

• Fast Updates
  For an updated look right away, add new mulch around trees and in flowerbeds to create a pop of color, suppress weeds and give the area a unified look. Other easy options include pruning shrubs, weeding and adding containers to an entryway or colorful flowers to existing beds.
• Widening Pathways
  Wider pathways give your home a more welcoming, open feel that is ideal for entertaining. Existing paths can be expanded with pavers, bricks, gravel or mulch to make them broader, and it is also a good time to be sure they are level and easy to navigate.
• Deepening Beds
  Deep flowerbeds create a luxurious buffer around your home and provide space for additional plantings, such as a row of colorful annuals along the front edge of the bed. When deepening beds, you can also easily change their shape for a fresh, new look.
• Protecting Privacy
  Landscaping that protects privacy is always desirable, and tall ornamental grasses, a green wall, large containers or fencing can create a more private space for you to enjoy. Consider enclosing a patio, blocking unwanted views or otherwise sheltering your space for greater privacy.
• Casting Shade
  Plants or structures that shade your home or outdoor spaces can help control temperature to make the area more comfortable and save on heating and cooling bills. Planting trees or installing awnings, pergolas or other shade structures are the most popular options.
• Lighting Up
  The right lighting can give your landscape a whole new look, with more security as well. Add lights to pathways, specimen plants, architectural features or outdoor living areas to update your landscape and create a brighter, safer, more enjoyable space.
• New Niches
  Creating a cozy niche in your landscape is a great way to encourage you to enjoy being outdoors. A comfortable hammock, swing or bench can lead to more time outdoors, a fire pit welcomes gatherings, or a meditation feature such as a fountain can be a peaceful addition.
• Outdoor Rooms
  For more formal entertaining, a complete outdoor room can add tremendous value to your property. An outdoor kitchen, grill or bar is a great choice, or you might opt for an entertainment area complete with a television, fire pit and extra seating.
• Trees
  Trees are ideal long-term investments that add wonderful value to your property. A small tree may not seem significant, but over the years it will grow into a luxurious specimen that provides shade and distinction, as well as fruit, nuts or other benefits, depending on the tree.
• Sod
  If it’s your lawn that needs updating, consider new sod for instant results. Replacing sod will even out your lawn, remove weeds, repair bare or thin patches and provide luxurious footing all in one step.

No how you choose to update your existing landscape, our experts can help you find just the right options to refresh your property for your needs and budget. Contact us today and see how we can bring new life to your old landscape!