26 Apr 2018

By yardmaintenance Gardening, General, Landscaping, Yard Maintenance

5 Ways Lawn Care and Landscaping Pros Can Increase Your Home’s Value

Lawn care and landscaping are great for the environment and have been shown to boost your health. What’s more, they are efficient methods of increasing the value of your home

Whether you are considering selling your property in the future or you want to keep it in your family, a great-looking yard can boost your kerb appeal and tremendously increase your property’s value. And with the help and insights of a professional lawn care company, a healthy, great-looking lawn and landscape is within reach.

Here are five ways that experts in lawn care and landscaping can boost your home’s appeal and value:

1. They use the right tools

Not all yards are easy to work with. Some will require the use of special tools to make them look perfect. While you can rent tools to prune or remove trees and shrubs, it is always less stressful to leave this job in the hands of the experts. By investing in professional hedge trimming and pruning services, the job can be done in no time.

Remember that these professionals are equipped to handle various landscaping situations. They will visit your home and assess the situation, taking note of what tools are needed and how much time is required to perform things that are important before installation commences. In turn, this will make the job simpler and faster for property owners.

2. They have years of experience

The knowledge and experience of these professionals are the most valuable assets they bring to your landscaping project. With their years of experience, they can tell you whether you need to change your plan or not.

In fact, they may completely disagree with your plan, depending on the location of your home, the amount of sunlight your yard receives daily, and the availability of the land you have. They know exactly what will work and what will not in a particular setting. They also know what type of grass best suits your area and lifestyle.

Besides, it is not always about what you want, but about what works best to increase the value and appeal of your home when other people see it for the first time.

3. Professional quality work is guaranteed

You would not allow, for example, just anyone to renovate your kitchen or install your digital TV antenna, so why let someone inexperienced work in your yard? Professional quality work must always be superior. Remember that your landscaping will only look best with the experts’ ability to provide high-quality work.

4. They can execute your landscaping design vision

Knowing that you won’t be responsible for the work and maintenance on your yard is what makes it more likely for you to choose a landscaping design that will complement your home rather than one that is easy to care for.

Time is a valuable asset. With professional help, you won’t forgo things that are most important to you just to keep your yard well-maintained. This job will be happily accomplished for you by lawn care and landscaping pros so you can enjoy the benefits of perfect kerb appeal without compromising or losing anything in the process.

5. They perform scheduled maintenance

Another way in which lawn care and landscaping pros can boost your curb appeal and home’s value is with scheduled maintenance. It will be a lot easier to maintain a yard when a professional is doing it on your behalf. Remember that these professionals are equipped to deal with any issues and to repair any damage. Also, they know exactly when your yard needs work.

It is easy for you to lose track of time and forget to maintain shrubs or water plants. And this can quickly cause your yard to become a bit overgrown or lifeless. Experts in lawn care and landscaping will ensure that none of these will happen.

Of all the improvements to increase the value of your property, lawn care and landscaping often come with the best benefits. Also, these offers the highest return on investment. But for this to be done properly and to get the most for your money, you have to hire the best professional lawn care and landscaping company.

23 Oct 2017

By yardmaintenance General, Landscaping Irrigation, water conservation, water harvesting

Rainwater harvesting methods: Passive Collection Methods

Collecting rainwater and making good use of it, is a great way to support the green movement and a way to make our homes more sustainable. By catching the rainwater and storing it for future use we make sure our property and homes are safe. Whether you decide to use the captured water in or outside your home, it is a great way to make your home water efficient.

There are two types of systems you can use to harvest rainwater, one being the active harvesting methods and the other the passive harvesting method. When you wish to use your collected rainwater inside your house for flushing the toilet or even for drinking (after the proper distillation of course), then an active harvesting method is the best approach and a good investment. If you are new to rainwater harvesting and you are looking for an inexpensive method then the passive collection method may be a better solution.

The passive harvesting system does not need any mechanical methods during the collections or distribution of the rainwater. No pumps, required filters or electricity are needed in order for this method to run effectively. It is simply a method that allows you to capture the rainwater and store it until you need it for your land. The design is simple, it can be built easily and it does not require a lot of investment. Passive systems are low maintenance and are able to function well in most landscapes.

Here are 4 methods how to harvest rainwater passively:

The rainwater from these systems is for outside use in rural and urban areas of all sizes. If you do however wish to make use of the rainwater in your home then a filtration and pumping system needs to be installed. If you wish to drink your harvest water from time to time without big installations, then a small water filter can be bought to make sure the water are clean before drinking.

– The Dry System:

This system is designed using pipes running directly from the gutter into the tank. These pipes stay “dry” after the rain as they do not keep water inside them. In order for this system to function properly, the gutter and pipes need to be higher than the storage tank. This is a very simple system that can be installed when you have a simple roof layout and no obstacles that will get in the way of the piping route. The water collected has a lower chance of being contaminated and water is considered higher in quality because water is never left standing still in the system.

– The Wet System:

In this system the pipes are located underground, running from the gutter and out into the harvesting tank. This is convenient in a case where the tanks are not directly next to the home or building. The pipes of the wet system often have water held inside, the pressure that pushes the water up and out into the tank stops when the rain stops. Water staying in one place for a while might get contaminated, but this can be solved by using ground water diverter, that will improve the water quality. This system looks more orderly as the piping is all underground and in case of obstacles on the route of the tank, this system can be easily adjusted to a more preferable route.

– Barrel:

When using a barrel as a harvesting method, then the barrel needs to be placed directly under the downspout of the gutter, directing the rainfall on the roof directly into the barrel. Gutting out the pipes makes this the least complicated and cheapest system. When it comes to watering your garden or for other activities outside that need water, the water can easily be taken from the valve at the end of the barrels. Using a hose or a drip irrigation system on the valve is also possible. These barrels are made easily and simple to set up. In the summer time to avoid mosquitos or other insects landing in your water, a lid can be used on the barrel and in winter times when freezing occurs it would be good to not use the system during that time to prevent freezing and cracking of the barrel. Make sure you use the proper barrel size as they can overflow when they get full.

– Green Roof

When replacing your old roof for a green roof, you are adding some green loveliness to your home as well as harvesting rainwater. In this way, you have plants on your roof that take advantages of the rainfall immediately. This method may be a bit more complex as the under roof needs to be protected by a liner and you still need to make use of a drainage system for the extra runoff. The best option is to divert the runoff water into a barrel. Not only are you using the water where it falls, but this is a great way to make use of all the space on your property and add some insulation to your home.

Helping along the water harvesting process in the garden:

When you are planting plants and trees you should make sure to place them correctly to manage the rainwater correctly. There are various techniques that can help you do this. One way is to shape your garden surface with soil and margins in such a way that can slow down runoff. Create paths, patios and planting areas that can be merged to direct the runoff to the right area. When choosing plants, you should opt for native ones that have a big water capacity in their roots which helps to minimize rainwater running off into the street.

Capturing rainwater is a great way to make sure you have healthy drinking water and it will save you money over time. Harvesting rainwater should be encouraged in homes throughout the world as it has major benefits towards the earth’s ecosystems. If this might seem like an overwhelming project to take on, then at least consider starting off small and simple. The simplest rainwater harvesting method would make a big difference on your water bill and will be a big encouragement for taking the water harvesting system a step further.

Posted by: OCI Landscaping and Irrigation

928 Arbor View Drive
Kelowna, BC.
V1W-5B5

Phone: 778.214.2352
info@ocilandscaping.com
www.ocilandscaping.com

08 Aug 2017

By yardmaintenance General, Lawn, Renovation

10 Lawn Care Tips to Add Curb Appeal

When you’re trying to sell a house, it’s pretty important that you put yourself in the buyers’ shoes and think about the details they’re likely to scrutinize.

Any good realtor will reinforce the fact over and over again; curb appeal is a huge factor in selling any property. There’s a number of lawn care tips you can use to make your property all the more attractive when viewed from the street, which will add value to the home and help you sell faster.

Master the Art of Mowing

If you’re keen to add value to your home, keeping your lawn manicured at all times is the first step. It’s not just about mowing – you’ve got to mow the right way if you want your grass to crank up the curb appeal.

For a luscious lawn, make sure you mow when the lawn is dry, change up the patterns, and only cut about one third of the grass at a time.

Give Your Lawn A Breath of Fresh Air

If you haven’t already done it, it’s recommended to perform a core aeration at least once a year. Core aeration is the process of mechanically removing small cores of soil from the lawn using an aeration machine, which stimulates growth, reduces soil compaction and reduces weed, insect and disease infestations.

Spring and Fall are optimal times to aerate your lawn, so try and have that sorted out before you’re ready to sell.

Water Well In Advance

Even a novice knows that proper watering techniques are essential to a thick, healthy lawn.

But as the old saying goes, good things take time. Make sure you get a good watering routine going well before you put your house on the market. Check out our Lawn Watering eBook to brush up on your technique sooner rather than later.

Fertilize, Fertilize, Fertilize!

Again, fertilizing is something you need to figure out in advance. A balanced, custom fertilizer program is one of the most crucial considerations to make before putting your property on the market.

Before you invest in fertilizer, find out the soil pH so you know what you’re working with. You can buy a testing kit and do it yourself, or you can speak to a lawn care company who’ll check your soil and design a custom fertilizer program based on what your lawn needs to flourish.

Don’t Forget The Edges

When prospective buyers come to peruse your home, they’ll likely park up on the driveway and begin appraising from there. So, it’s important to make sure your sidewalk and driveway are up to standard.

Use a string trimmer to tidy up the edges of your lawn for a neat transition.

Inspect For Insects

Get your eyes down to soil level and see if you can spot any creepy crawlies in your lawn.

Insects such as white grubs feed on the roots, but more often than not, the worst damage comes from other creatures. Raccoons, birds and skunks feed on the insects found in your soil, so monitor early before you find yourself with irreparable damage during home opens.

Frame Your Lawn

Beautify your front yard and ramp up the curb appeal by framing your lawn. This will draw attention to the grass and help soften up the edges.

You could frame it with flowerbeds, hedges, stone, or maybe a few sculptures – adding attractive accents will help increase the perceived value of your property and give homebuyers a warm and fuzzy feeling about their potential new home.

Prune Your Shrubs & Hedges

While you’re giving your lawn some love, keep an eye on your trees, shrubs, hedges and other landscaping.

There’s nothing worse than an untidy feature overpowering your landscape, so make sure to take a step back and decide how you want it to look before you go ahead and remove any unwanted branches or foliage.

Watch Out For Weeds

A prospective home buyer will subconsciously pick up on the smallest of details, so don’t forget the little things. A single dandelion could be spotted from all the way down the street, so keep a watchful eye on weeds.

Spot treatments can tame the odd broadleaf weed, but a weed control program catered to your lawn’s needs is the best defense against uninvited guests.

Add a Splash of Colour

Now that the lawn is gorgeous and green, you need to make sure it’s seen!

Adding touches of vibrant colours around the front yard can direct attention to how great your lawn is looking and help add value to your property. Paint the door bright red, jazz up your mailbox, add colourful decorative pieces or get festive with flowers – all of these things will help accentuate the hard work you’ve put into your lawn and draw the eye to it.

If It’s Too Far Gone… Renovate

Sometimes, there’s just no going back. If you feel there’s just too much work to do to get your lawn looking lush, perhaps you need a complete overhaul.

Speak to a lawn care expert about renovating your lawn – we can remove the old sod, truck in new soil or compost, and then seed, fertilize and topdress the lawn to get it looking terrific and add value to a home before it goes up for sale.

Contributed by: Brent Szotak, Expert landscaper and yard maintenance professional at

928 Arbor View Drive
Kelowna, BC.
V1W-5B5

Phone: 778.214.2352
info@ocilandscaping.com
www.ocilandscaping.com

01 Jun 2017

By yardmaintenance Gardening, General, Trees cedar tree care, hedge trimming

How to maintain your cedar hedge

Creating a good foundation for Strong Cedar Hedge

Tо еnѕurе thаt you асhіеvе thе best results from your cedar tree hedge, іt’ѕ іmреrаtіvе thаt you mаkе some сеrtаіn соnѕіdеrаtіоnѕ whіlе planting cedar hеdgе рlаntѕ. To start with, уоu hаvе tо dig a trеnсh thаt’ѕ big еnоugh. Yоu hаvе tо рісk a place that’s a rеаѕоnаblе dіѕtаnсе frоm thе streets ѕіnсе thіѕ will hеlр рrеvеnt реорlе from stepping on thе Hеdgе рlаntѕ You have to dіg a trеnсh that’s аbоut 16 іnсhеѕ dеер аnd also of the ѕаmе dіmеnѕіоn іn width and about 3′ apart. Chооѕіng the rіght place that wіll еnаblе the plants get еnоugh wаtеr аnd аlѕо help рrоtесt thеm during extreme weather conditions ѕuсh аѕ winter wіll dеfіnіtеlу hеlр. Yоu need nоt gеt a place thаt wіll еxроѕе уоur trees too muсh to tор shade оr ѕunѕhіnе аt any оnе gіvеn time. Gеt a ground that іѕ moderate in аll thе nесеѕѕаrу rеquіrеmеntѕ ѕіnсе thіѕ wіll provide іt with thе best environment tо grow.

Thеrе аrе some other оrgаnіс оr inorganic mаttеrѕ thаt mау prevent уоur сеdаr from grоwіng аѕ rеԛuіrеd. Getting rіd of wееdѕ wіll hеlр you іn a vаrіеtу оf ways. It’ѕ аlѕо imperative that you rеmоvе аll other matter ѕuсh as ѕtоnеѕ аnd many more ѕіnсе thеу mау be аn іmреdіmеnt tо the рrореr grоwth оf thе hedging рlаntѕ. If іt happens thаt thе place where you wоuld like it рlаntеd hаѕ got higher реrсеntаgе of ѕаnd soil, making ѕurе thаt уоu іmроrt some additional fеrtіlе soil; and аlѕо ѕоmе mаnurе will hеlр mаkе your hеdgіng рlаntѕ grоw рrеttу wеll.

Watering your Cedar Hedge

Yоur рlаntѕ wіll dо wеll if уоu wаtеr іt appropriately. Thеrе аrе thе tіmеѕ whеrе you wіll hаvе to wаtеr it mоrе. You will require a lot of water when it’s hot аnd drу as соmраrеd tо whеn it’s сооl аnd rаіnу. It’s also necessary thаt your рlаntѕ gеt wаtеrеd dеерlу оnсе іn a whіlе ѕіnсе wіthоut dоіng ѕо. Shаllоw watering fоr a while wіll rеԛuіrе thаt уоu follow іt wіth dеер watering, whісh can be dоnе іn a span оf a wееk or so. This wіll gо a lоng way іn еnѕurіng thаt your plants do wеll. Yоu can ѕаvе a lоt of thе mоіѕturе frоm evaporating if уоu mulсh the area аrоund thе rооt оf thе plants. Thіѕ wіll hеlр keep vital microorganisms around the bаѕе оf the hеdgіng plants and also аftеr dесоmроѕіng; it wіll provide іmроrtаnt nutrіеntѕ thаt уоur рlаntѕ wіll rеquіrе іn future. By adding individual drip line spinklers to each tree will ensure they get enough water and also conserve water at the same time.

Fertilizing Cedar Trees

It’ѕ imperative thаt уоu bооѕt thе fеrtіlіtу іf thе ѕоіl uѕіng аrtіfісіаl fеrtіlіzеr. Thіѕ саn be dоnе occasionally since іf dоnе mоrе often, thе nutrients mау not bе аbѕоrbеd bу thе cedar hedge рlаntѕ. It’s important tо understand ho muсh thе hеdgіng рlаntѕ will rеԛuіrе this ѕіnсе this will hеlр уоu gаugе their nutrient needs. Usually once or twice a year you will need to spray them with miracid and spray them for spidermite to prevent pests from damaging them.

Trimming your cedar hedge at least once a year if not 2 times each season will help to shape the trees into a beautiful and healthy property border.

Contributed by: Troy Sherris Landscaper with OcI Landscaping and Irrigation Kelowna and foremost expert in yard maintenance and design.

Phone: 778.214.2352
or 250.826.5678
info@ocilandscaping.com
www.ocilandscaping.com

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Category: General