Which Landscape Projects Add Value to Your Home

​Did you know you can add value to your Louisiana home with landscaping? The right landscape projects not only increase the beauty of your lot but also boost your home value. An added bonus is that you can enjoy your home more as well. Imagine how pleasant it will be to sit on your patio on a warm evening.

Not all landscaping ideas are created equal, however. To get the return on investment you want, you should know which projects have the greatest value. 

Maintain Your Lawn
You know the routine: pull the weeds, trim the edges, keep the grass a uniform length. Despite this lawn care regimen, homeowners in Southern Louisiana can struggle to grow grass that looks good. If this describes you, perhaps you aren't growing the right type of grass for the climate.

The universal favorite, Kentucky Bluegrass, grows well in, you guessed it, Kentucky. The Deep South is hotter and wetter and needs a different type of lawn altogether. The best grasses for this region include:

• St. Augustine: This is the most popular grass in the South and has a lovely dark green color.
• Centipede: Easy to grow and affordable, centipede grass requires full sun or light shade.
• Zoysia: This grass can tolerate shade and lots of wear.
• Bermuda: A fine-bladed grass, it needs full sun to grow.

Once you've got the right sod on the ground, water it and fertilize it appropriately. You can also hire a lawn care service. It's worth the money as it will add value to your home.

Plant Trees
Trees are desirable. They provide shade, beauty, and nesting spots for birds. If your property doesn't have trees, plant them now and let them mature. If you do have trees, take care of them and let them grow. Only remove them if they are diseased or a danger to people or property. Big trees can increase home value by up to 20%.
There are several beautiful trees that thrive in Southern Louisiana. Consider any of the following for your property:

• Southern magnolia
• Bald cypress
• Southern live oak
• Sweetbay magnolia
• Crape myrtle
• Savannah holly

Add Landscape Lighting
Do you want to increase home safety, add property value, and improve appearances all at once? Landscape lighting can do all that for you. In addition, lighting invites you and your guests outdoors at night. That back porch is suddenly much more friendly with landscape lighting. 

Long gone are the days when adding lights to your landscaping meant tedious hours of stringing electrical wiring. With the advent of battery-operated and solar-powered outdoor lighting, you are only limited by your own imagination. Be sure to invest in LED outdoor lighting. It lasts almost forever.

Build a Fire Pit
S'mores, anyone? You can have them every night if you build a fire pit in your backyard. This is one of those landscape features that gives back in spades. Put in some sweat equity and you can enjoy even cooler evenings outdoors. 

There are several types of pits to choose from. Just find one that fits your budget and your home aesthetic. If you're adding a patio, you can have the fire pit built at the same time out of the same material. If you already have a deck or other area for the fire pit, consider one of the portable metal models. 

Plant Around the Front Walkway
Your walkway is the first thing guests see. Make sure the path to your front door leaves a good impression on anyone entering your home. If the pavers or concrete are cracked and broken, have them replaced. Landscape lighting along the walk is a nice touch too.

Plant flowers along both sides of your walkway. You can use perennials, annuals, or a mixture of the two. You'll likely be happiest if you choose easy-care flowers that can handle our hot summers, such as:

• Zinnias
• Begonias
• Marigolds
• Petunias
• Periwinkle

Bulbs do well here, too. Plant a lovely sidewalk border of tulips, crocus, grape hyacinth, and rises. They'll add an amazing blaze of glorious color in the spring and early summer months.

Install a Water Feature
This is an especially nice landscaping addition in Southern Louisiana as it provides a sense of coolness. A water feature should be sized to fit your space. If you have a large lot, go ahead with the water lilies in a koi pond. A smaller property could have a fountain.

If you're truly strapped for space, even a lovely birdbath can do the trick. Install a stone one on a pedestal in the midst of your perennial bed, or hang a delicate one from the branches of a tree. Either way, you've added a landscape detail that will be attractive to future home buyers.

Spread New Mulch
Even if you've mulched your yard and gardens before, mulch deteriorates over time. Each spring and fall is a good time to freshen up your mulch. Aim for a depth of 2 to 4 inches. There are several mulches that work well in the South. Look for any of the following:

• Pine straw: Depending upon where you live this can be easy to find and is very economical.
• Wood bark: Shredded bark looks especially lovely, but avoid using cypress, which is often unsustainably harvested.
• Straw: Available in shredded form, this material has the added benefit of giving back to the soil as it breaks down.
• Leaves or grass clippings: Though a very organic choice if they come from your own yard, clippings may not look as nice as a purchased mulch.

Put In an Irrigation System
This can really be a time saver during Southern Louisiana's hot summers. It's one of the more expensive options on this list, but it also has a high return on investment. Homeowners want irrigation systems to make caring for their property easy. Installing an automatic system that waters plants when needed is a huge draw.

Also, automatic irrigation systems typically reduce your watering bills. Watering by hand or "hosing down the lawn" is the most wasteful way to care for your property. An irrigation system saves water and therefore saves you money in the long run.

Get Help From the Pros
While many of these landscaping improvements can be do-it-yourself projects, it never hurts to call the pros. Professional landscapers can help you with the details, such as how far from your septic you should plant that live oak and how to dig a koi pond.

Talk to us at GreenSeasons Landscaping. We have the expertise and the knowledge to get your projects done the right way. From paver walkways to lawn care to planting beds, our pros can help you make your vision for your property a reality.