Using Pinterest to Inspire Your Landscaping

If you are ready to create your landscape design in North Florida, we are ready to help!  Perhaps you have moved into a new home and the landscaping is old or unhealthy, or you would like to use landscaping for privacy.  Or maybe you want to add value and curb appeal to your home, or would like to enjoy the health benefits of lush landscapes and trees.  Whatever your reason, you can design, install, and maintain the most beautiful lawn and landscape design you can imagine.

But what if you are not able to imagine exactly what your dream landscape design looks like?  Is this your first home or are you not familiar with the needs and conditions of Florida landscaping?  Trust our expertise but begin gathering ideas for what you like - this is where an online source like Pinterest truly comes in handy!

We suggest you start a Pinterest account if you have not already done so.  This is easily done on computer or phone, using an email address.  You will choose interests such as Landscape Design, Florida Landscape Design, Backyard Landscaping, Front Yard Landscaping, or Beach Landscape Design.  From there the site will give you many options to follow and you can begin to collect, known as "pinning" images to "boards" you create, and in so doing you make a database of the styles and types of landscaping you find the most attractive.

You can follow boards that feature landscape design ideas such as this one:

North Florida Landscape Design Ideas and Plans for Palm Coast, St. Augustine, and Ormond Beach

When you are ready to meet with us to draw up your new landscape plans, you will have an arsenal of photos that express exactly what you are looking for.  

We think you will enjoy the process and Pinterest makes it so easy to express your individual taste and style.  You might also follow Stoughton & Duran Pinterest for custom home design, landscaping, and more.

🦚Article by Connie Helena, author of The Green Orchid 🦚

Form and Function: Landscaping for Privacy in Florida

Landscaping for privacy is one of the top reasons why a Florida landscape designer is called upon and we encourage the use of natural plantings to provide your own sanctuary. Landscaped privacy areas often look so much better than a fence, and often work better to distract from what you are hiding as opposed to drawing attention.



Reasons why you may need landscaping for privacy at your Florida home or business:

A small home site - Although easier to maintain, small yards bring your neighbors that much closer.

Noise reduction - If you live near a busy public area or road, this may be important to you.

An unattractive fence that borders your property - Double your privacy with a better looking screen of plantings.

Provide clear separation between yards - Property lines are not always obvious and landscaping can clarify borders.



Once your landscaping for privacy is planted, regular landscape maintenance is of the utmost importance to keep it doing its intended job.  Proper irrigation and fertilization is typically mandatory, and you also utilize the concepts of Florida friendly, waterwise, xeriscaped, and native landscape designs.  

🦚Article by Connie Helena, author of The Green Orchid 🦚

Water is Life and Irrigation is Key

Water is life: regular watering from rainfall or irrigation systems is necessary for most of the beautiful plants in your landscape design.  Unfortunately, many Florida homeowners have unknowingly spent as much as half of their utility bill on watering lawns and landscaping, when watering wisely can be so much easier than you may realize. 

All plants need to be watered during the first weeks after planting or transplanting, and during development.  Then they fall into different categories according to water needs, from the very thirsty to the drought tolerant.  In irrigation terms, efficiency refers to how much of the water applied to the plants is finally used by them and uniformity refers to how evenly the water is applied to the plants.  This is the science we employ to keep your landscaping looking its best.

A knowledgeable landscape designer will divide your plantings and irrigation segments into watering zones (hydro-zones): oasis, transitional, and xeric. The oasis zone is for the thirstiest plants and will be placed closest to a water source. The xeric zone is for plants that need no supplemental water after being established. The transitional zone will contain plants that need occasional watering, or regular watering during a drought.

It is concepts such as the three watering zones that explain why a professional landscape design will look better and thrive unequivocally through the dramatic seasons of Florida.  Your comprehensive site plan will include placement of water sources among the plantings, and you will be able to recognize the oasis, transitional, and xeric zones if you look closely.   Perhaps it is your preference to feature one of the three hydro-zones predominantly in your landscaping and we can do just that.  

A licensed landscaper, who is foremost an irrigation professional, knows the science behind a lush and waterwise landscape.  We make it our business to understand unique concepts such as field capacity, which refers to the maximum amount of water a soil may hold before draining to become runoff.  An irrigation controller is an automatic timing device that operates irrigation zones for a predetermined time and frequency.  Scheduling of irrigation is based on factors such as soil type, root zone depth, and weather conditions - it should be regularly calibrated and checked for proper functionality.

North Florida wavers between extreme drought conditions and record rainfalls.  

🦚Article by Connie Helena, author of The Green Orchid 🦚

A Look at Homeowner Landscape Design Data Reports

The new research reported by the 2017 U.S. Houzz Landscape Trends Study was on target for our industry and we would like to present some highlights here.  

The results of the research survey come from approximately 1000 American homeowners who have completed outdoor projects in the last year, who are currently in the middle of a landscaping project, or who plan to do it soon.  These landscape designs are upgrades or updates of the current homeowner's exterior spaces, with the typical goal to make the space their own.

How much do people spend? The majority of the respondents (23 percent) spent between $1000-$5000.  Complete overhauls or major luxury landscaping were not a rare occurrence: 15 percent of the projects were over $50,000 in budget. Bottom line: Spending money on improving landscaping is considered worth the expense.

Where are the landscape projects? We know that landscaping is known to increase curb appeal exponentially, yet 69 percent of the landscaping jobs were completed in the backyard of the home.  44 percent were the front yard, and 32 percent were side yards. (Keep in mind some projects were in multiple locations.) Bottom line: We care the most about our living and entertaining spaces.

What needs are being addressed with landscaping? The number one issues that landscape design and installation were focused on were "drainage" and/or "poor use of space".  This was followed by "lack of privacy".  If curb appeal were the main goal of the landscaping work, the most important feature was flower beds/borders by a wide margin. Bottom line: Landscaping equals functionality.

How long does the project take?  It is important to remember that unforeseen problems such as extreme weather (especially in Florida) can upset project schedules. But these were the averages for three different levels of landscaping work:

Minor project: 3 months of planning/3 months of implementation
Major project: 5 months of planning/4 months of implementation
Complete overhaul: 6 months of planning/6 months of implementation

What plants are the most popular? For the past several years of studying these statistics, the top answer to this question is "low-maintenance", followed by "flowering". (Pictured at top is the stunning camellia variety, "Pink Perfection", which grows well in North Florida landscape designs.) Bottom line: Combine color with waterwise hardiness.

Ultimately, 73 percent of landscape projects are completed by a professional landscaper such as GreenFlex Landscaping.  Although, of those homeowners who are currently in the planning stage of their landscape job, only 63 percent plan to hire a professional.  

🦚Article by Connie Helena, author of The Green Orchid 🦚

   

Flower of August: The Attraction of Firebush

This native plant blooms for months, attracting both birds and butterflies, and is practically bullet-proof once established. - University of Florida

The most common discussion in North Florida in August is typically regarding how HOT it is.  Our temperatures climb to the maximum and the sun demonstrates its power at midday.  Fragile flowers such as gardenia will not tolerate the extreme heat and vegetable gardens are taking a break until fall.  The agave (century plants) are blooming with their towering stalks of flowers, but one of our favorite summer plants is busy attracting birds and butterflies: the fiery firebush (also known as scarlet bush or hummingbird bush).

Firebush, Hamelia patens, is our ideal choice for August's Flower of the Month with its drought and heat tolerance, Florida friendly character, and ability to integrate beautifully into almost any landscape design for North Florida.  The flower shown in the photo is the dwarf variety of firebush, which is not native and is slightly lighter in color than the regular variety.  Native firebush grows very large in full sun and has shown tolerance to salt spray in beach landscaping designs.

The time to plant firebush is NOW so contact your North Florida landscaper to incorporate it into your landscape design.  It thrives in almost any type of soil and is mostly disease and pest resistant.  It will begin its red orange blooms in spring then continue all the way until the first cold freeze.  Firebush is considered a perennial or semi-woody shrub and the best thing about it is the wildlife it attracts: hummingbirds and butterflies such as the gulf fritillary and the magical zebra longwing. Its berries will attract other birds as well.

🦚Article by Connie Helena, author of The Green Orchid 🦚

Arbor Day is the time to celebrate our trees

Begun all the way back in 1872 as a designated day for everyone to plant a tree, Arbor Day is commemorated in special ways all over the United States.  

The Arbor Day Foundations suggests many different species of trees for our Agricultural Zone 9 climate including certain magnolias, crepe myrtles, dogwoods, cypress, maples, and oaks.  Some palm trees are also a favorite for our area, especially the Florida state tree, the native Sabal Palm. Professional landscapers will advise you as to the best trees for your landscape design, and will provide professional and dependable maintenance of your lawn and plantings.

Without a doubt, perfectly beautiful and thriving trees make the supreme focal points for a landscape design.  Find out more about the benefits of trees in your landscaping and other information here:

Landscape Design: Planting Trees has a Host of Benefits

A Few More Important Facts About Trees in Landscape Design

Amazing Facts About the Live Oak Tree

The Official Flora of Florida

Hurricane Preparedness Includes Your Landscaping

Florida Holly is Not So Festive After All

Crape or Crepe? This Myrtle Tree is Florida Friendly

🦚Article by Connie Helena, author of The Green Orchid 🦚

Landscape Design: Planting Trees has a Host of Benefits

Landscapers are not just landscape designers, but experienced consultants and "fixers" as well.  This is because we have seen the undesirable long term effects of having planted the wrong tree in the wrong location.  We have seen overgrown branches covering windows or disturbing utility lines, or trees with roots that damage a driveway.

Keep in mind, studies have reported that homeowners get a 100 percent or more return on the money they put into landscaping if it is done correctly.  If you have a completely bare lot, it will take many years for your plants to mature, so begin your landscaping immediately.

We begin by viewing your entire site plan comprehensively before planting anything. Then we will provide a landscape design that visualizes the size and shape of all its elements once the trees and shrubs mature.  This ensures that your investment in professional landscaping gives you the full return, as opposed to negating the value of your property.

🦚Article by Connie Helena, author of The Green Orchid 🦚

Flower of April: Soap Aloe is in Exotic Bloom

This month we have aloes flowering in Flagler, St. Johns, and Volusia Counties' landscape designs, especially the Florida friendly aloe maculata that many mistakenly identify as aloe vera.  These red/orange flowers we are enjoying in North Florida are also called zebra aloe, aloe saponaria, or most commonly soap aloe because the plant is used to make soap in its native Africa.

At current count there are over 500 species of aloe and soap aloe is one beautiful species uniquely set apart because of its fat, thick leaves and exotic looking spikes of orange or red flowers in the spring.  This plant is waterwise and tolerant of just about any soil, making it a home run for landscape designs in Palm Coast, Ormond Beach, and the surrounding areas.

Warm desert regions enjoy the beauty of soap aloe and it will also be seen in Arizona and California landscaping.  Along with being drought tolerant and therefore xeriscape friendly, soap aloe is a rock star in beach landscape design because it is so salt tolerant.  You just can't go wrong with this stunning plant if you enjoy the look of an exotic species, but with low maintenance needs.

We can assist you with all aspects of beach-beautiful landscaping: design, installation, and maintenance are the services we offer, with specialties like water features and outdoor lighting also in our realm of expertise.  Oceanside landscape designs are a challenge that very few professional companies are prepared to meet, and we do it with years of experience and a trusted reputation behind every beachfront property.

🦚Article by Connie Helena, author of The Green Orchid 🦚

Flower of February: The Eye Catching Bougainvillea

Even in the Sunshine State, there are minimal flowers blooming in the winter month of February.  But one eye catcher can remain evergreen and colorful: the bougainvillea, a vine like shrub that adds a taste of the tropics to any landscape design in Flagler, St. Johns, or Volusia Counties.

Establishing a bougainvillea in the proper soil with the proper light and drainage is the difficult part, and many who love the plant depend upon the expertise of a professional landscaper to install and maintain it to its ultimate beauty.  Colors include whites, purples, reds, yellows, oranges, and pinks.

The flower of the bougainvillea is actually a tiny white one in the center, but the surrounding three leaves of color are the real show stoppers.  This plant, which can grow in tree, vine, or bush form, is native to South America.  Beware of one thing about this beauty: it has thorns!

🦚Article by Connie Helena, author of The Green Orchid 🦚

Managing a Landscape to Look its Absolute Best

What can you expect when a landscaper maintains your commercial or residential landscaping?  Here is a general idea of the elements of good landscape management by a professional, experienced company:

1) Shrubs will be pruned and trimmed approximately six times per year.  We will use proper horticultural techniques so that the integrity of the plant is maintained.

2) Any dead, diseased parts of plants will be removed as well as any plant material obstructing walkways or roadways.  Clippings and cuttings will be removed from the site.

3) Small trees (up to 10 feet in height) will be trimmed and shaped to their optimal condition approximately six times per year and checked for proper growth.

4) Medium trees (10-16 feet in height) will be trimmed to maintain clear trunks from ground to lower branches, giving them a clean look and healthy growing condition.

5) If necessary, chemical treatment will be used on plants with infestations of pests or disease.  This will be done very carefully and paying attention to whether the chemicals are working.

6) Thorough weeding will occur, especially in open areas of plant beds.  The soil in these beds will be tested once per year to evaluate pH and nutrient content.

7) Fertilization of shrubs and ground cover will be done twice a year, typically in Spring and Fall.  The fertilizer used will be based on soil testing evaluations.

8) Trees will be fertilized based on size using a balanced formula, and though usually done once a year the initial application will usually be in the spring.

🦚Article by Connie Helena, author of The Green Orchid 🦚

What It Means to Manage a Landscape

A landscaper is a company that not just designs and installs landscaping for residential and commercial properties, but one that goes beyond just maintenance to management of the landscape design.  They follow strict guidelines so you can have peace of mind:

Mowing

Mowing frequency is customized based on the different growth rates of the seasons.  Certain grasses will be mowed more than others: for example, St. Augustine turf will be cut up to 44 times per year and Bahia turf will be cut up to 21 times per year.

Rotary mowers will be used and the blades will be kept sharp and maintained so grass is not torn.  Height of grass will be determined for optimal health of lawn.

Mowing patterns will ensure an even distribution of clippings for appearance and protection, and clippings will remain on turf to restore nutrients for a healthy lawn.

Edging and Trimming

Plant beds, curbs, roadways, driveways, trees, and buildings will be neatly edged and trimmed to maintain a desirable shape.

After edging and trimming, walkways and patios will be cleared to maintain a clean, well-groomed appearance.

Edging and trimming will coincide with mowing and areas inaccessible to mowers will be maintained with other equipment.

All debris created by our company will be promptly removed.

Fertilization and Control of Weeds, Insects, and Disease

Various percentages of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium will be determined based on different seasons and environmental conditions.  St. Augustine turf will be fertilized four times per year.

Soil tests will be performed once per year to evaluate pH and nutrient content.

It is the sole responsibility of our company to treat for insects, disease, or weeds.

All state and federal regulations will be strictly followed when applying pesticide or herbicide products.  These treatments will be performed by trained technicians only.

🦚Article by Connie Helena, author of The Green Orchid 🦚

Sturdy Pavers Create Smooth Hardscape Design

If pavers are installed properly, they are more durable and low maintenance than just about any other hardscape material.  Pavers are used to build smooth surfaces for patios, walkways, driveways, pool decks, fire pits, and even retaining walls and other landscape design features.

Pavers give a property a much more upscale look than typical concrete and elevate the entire landscape design in the process.  To have a successful installation of pavers, you must have a perfectly flat prepared area to lay them and they must be then compacted and the cracks filled so that weeds cannot grow between them.

For pavers in Ormond Beach, Palm Coast, or St. Augustine, we use a variety of stone types including bluestone, fieldstone, flagstone, or slate.  Each one has its own characteristics and cost - we are happy to provide all the information you may need to make your decision when choosing which pavers to have installed.

We recommend that you look around for ideas in landscaping magazines or on the internet on sites like Pinterest or Houzz, so that we can design and build something that fits your style as well as your budget.  Pavers are incredibly strong and durable and if installed properly, they will be very low maintenance as well as attractive.

If you would like to find out more about having pavers as part of your property's landscape design in Palm Coast, St. Augustine, or Ormond Beach contact a landscaper for more information or we will gladly answer any additional questions you may have.  

🦚Article by Connie Helena, author of The Green Orchid 🦚





   

Mulch is a Must in Landscaping

One component of landscaping installation you can be assured will not be ignored by a professional landscaper is the necessity of mulch, initially applied and continuously maintained, for your garden beds.  Mulch is the material, usually organic, that covers the soil around your plants.  In nature, mulch is created by leaves and other decomposing matter and it is part of what encourages the growth of plants in both wild and structured landscape plans.

The basic purposes of mulch are to conserve moisture, improve the soil, discourage weed growth, and enhance visual harmony and beauty.  The next time you notice a property with an especially attractive landscape design, look a little bit closer and you will see how important the use of mulch is when it comes to an appealing flow to the design.  And of course, any thriving and healthy landscape will have proper mulching to thank for it.  There are even brightly dyed mulches that add a dose of color to entice the eye.    

Different mulch affects the soil in different ways and a professional landscaping company will be familiar with the prime choices of mulch for your particular landscape design.  Bark chips, shredded mulch, wood chips, and wood chip mulch are some examples of what may be used locally and these materials vary in appearance, cost, availability, and effect on the soil underneath.  Rocks, crushed stone, and gravel are also considered a material for the process of mulching, with its own special accommodations.

Mulch is applied as deep as six inches to keep soil temperature and moisture at a stable level.  Application of mulch decreases evaporation so plants get properly watered, and blocks sunlight so that weeds cannot sprout.  Mulch slowly decomposes into the soil, which is why it needs to be replaced periodically. 

🦚Article by Connie Helena, author of The Green Orchid 🦚   

    

Flower of October: Hibiscus is the Rockstar of Florida Landscaping

The hibiscus flower is ubiquitous with Florida landscape design in so many ways: hibiscus flowers are pictured being scattered by a Seminole woman on the official Florida state seal and in reality can be found growing all over the state.  This colorful beauty, available in literally hundreds of varieties, is used as a focal point in landscape design as well as a uniquely Floridian hedge option.  Our summers are heralded by the eye catching blooms of hibiscus in almost every color of the rainbow, and these beauties keep blooming all the way through fall.

Hot weather, humidity, rain, and abundant sunshine bring out the best in the hibiscus (which is why it is still blooming in October for Floridians).  These plants need to be properly fertilized and pruned at the appropriate times, making the services of a professional landscape maintenance company an added bonus because not only will they care for your lawn and shrubbery, but a landscaper is also equipped to enhance the health and appearance of blooming plants like hibiscus.

Hibiscus is comprised of a vast genus of plants in the mallow family (hibiscus is also called rose mallow); the hundreds of species are native to warm-temperate, subtropical, and tropical regions all across the world!  There are both annual and perennial herbaceous hibiscus and these plants with their large showy flowers can be woody shrubs or small trees.  Flower colors may change in some species as the plant ages and most hibiscus are magnets for butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds.

Because this flower is found all over the world, it is appreciated by many different cultures for its beauty and symbolism.  Tahitian women wear one red hibiscus behind their ear to indicate they are available for marriage.  The flowers are dried and eaten in Mexico and a tea can be made from hibiscus that has been proven to reduce high blood pressure.  Varieties of hibiscus are the official national flowers of Haiti, Malaysia, and South Korea.

🦚Article by Connie Helena, author of The Green Orchid 🦚

   

Striking Signs of Spring: Bottlebrush in Bloom

What flower is one of the most eye catching elements of Palm Coast landscape design?  If you have taken note of the striking Bottlebrush trees and shrubs that are currently in bloom, with their unique brush shaped red blossoms, you will agree this is a special plant.  So many beautiful Palm Coast landscapes incorporate the evergreen Bottlebrush, or Callistemon, and its lovely shape is an elegant addition to your yard year round, although many would say it is at its peak while blooming.

Red in the landscape is a powerful design component and nothing attracts attention like the hot hue of the Bottlebrush.  The tree or shrub has an Asian style as its delicate leaves cascade downwards, adding texture and movement among other stronger, thicker landscape plants and trees.  Some Native American cultures believe the red bottle brush shaped flowers catch evil spirits before they can enter a home, giving Bottlebrush a whimsical story behind its attractive appearance.

What do you need to know about the Bottlebrush from a botanical point of view?  This plant is perennial, relatively easy to maintain, and drought resistant, although it does best with regular watering, as most Palm Coast landscape designs, because of our unpredictable weather patterns, tend to thrive as well.  A relative of the crape myrtle, Bottlebrush is native to Australia and was introduced in European gardens in 1789. If you have a Bottlebrush blooming, expect to see lots of nectar feeding birds, like hummingbirds, as well as insects, especially butterflies!

🦚Article by Connie Helena, author of The Green Orchid 🦚

Palm Coast Landscape Blog Highlights

This landscape blog covering Palm Coast, Flagler Beach, Ormond, Daytona, and St. Augustine is in its third year of knowledge sharing for those readers interested in Florida landscaping issues.  Here are the top five posts of all time, counting our total readership well into the thousands:

1) Century Plant and Agave in the Florida Landscape Design - Still one of the most stunning examples of our unique northeast Florida botanical elements for landscaping, this plant is as fascinating as it is beautiful.

2) Amazing Facts About the Live Oak Tree - This tree is nothing if not majestic and apparently many web searches seeking information on the live oak bring web visitors to this post.

3) The everlasting green beauty of Florida landscape design - The second blog ever posted, announcing important company news and sharing an interesting tidbit and quote about color, has stayed in the top ever since.

4) Florida Holly is Not So Festive After All - This explains in detail the truth about one of our area's most mistakenly identified trees, and even if you know its true identity, you may not know the whole story.

5) Fire Pits Add Cozy Heat to Florida Evenings - Fire pit design, as aspect of hardscaping that GreenFlex Landscaping specializes in, has gotten more popular as a functional landscape design feature.

🦚Article by Connie Helena, author of The Green Orchid 🦚

Accent Lighting for Your Florida Landscaping

Landscape lighting will provide glowing accents that make your home or establishment equally as captivating once the sun goes down.  This type of lighting is decorative but can also be functional: lighting pathways and driveways for safety while walking or driving, or to provide added security around the perimeter of the property.

If you are putting your home on the market for sale, keep in mind that most interested buyers will be driving by the property before ever contacting your agent.  And many of them will be doing so after work, when it may have already gotten dark.  Professionally designed, well maintained landscaping is proven to increase curb appeal so make sure it is evident at night as well.

Accent lighting throughout the landscape will be lovely to look at from your windows, from your pool, or from your outdoor lounging and entertaining areas.  We think you will find the benefits of incorporating this nocturnal art form will be an investment that pays off for years to come.

Looking for inspiration for landscape lighting styles?  Check out these articles on Houzz.com or explore your options by searching "landscape lighting" on HGTV.com.

🦚Article by Connie Helena, author of The Green Orchid 🦚

Get inspired by hardscaping design

Brick is classic, stone is elegant, pavers are modern...no matter your preferred style of hardscaping, the most important fact to remember is that well maintained hardscapes are inviting and contribute major curb appeal to your property. If gravel areas are bare in patches, pavers are cracked, or weeds have crept into spots they should not have, then you might be wise to hire a professional landscaper to remedy the situation.  Start with hardscaping upgrades:  the result will be a beautiful design and the impression of a home that is immaculately maintained.

Looking for ideas?  What moves you?  It is always advisable to choose what you like and let your landscaping company know ahead of time.  Here are some places to start:

Do a "hardscaping" search on Pinterest.

Take a gander at Pinterest boards such as Landscape Inspiration - you will notice that the most popular landscape designs pretty much always involve some type of hardscaping.

Read and enjoy these amazing, photo-rich articles on Houzz that pertain to hardscape design.

🦚Article by Connie Helena, author of The Green Orchid 🦚

Well Maintained Landscaping for Safety and Curb Appeal

Thinking about trimming those palm trees yourself?  Keep in mind, the Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends that unless you have the professional skill and experience to do so, you should not perform household tasks that require you to climb anything higher than a six foot ladder.  Reportedly, ladder injuries have become a major factor in emergency room visits.

There are so many reasons why you should consider the services of a landscaper to maintain the grounds of your home or business.  Did you know that untrimmed bushes and shrubs could give coverage to a burglar attempting to break in through your doors or windows?  Or that one of the things that thieves look for is a home with a lawn that has not been mowed, indicating that the homeowner is on an extended absence?  

In a previous Florida Landscape Design post, we went over the ways that professional landscaping design and care will raise property values in areas such as St. Augustine, Palm Coast, and Ormond Beach, where motivated sellers are looking for ways to give their houses added curb appeal.  There are other facts to consider when making the choice to trust your lawn and landscape's maintenance to a company such as GreenFlex Landscaping:

• Studies have shown: 75 percent of interested buyers drive by an available property and 63 percent look at photos online before walking through. You simply must have the exterior appearance at peak perfection.
• Outdoor landscape lighting gives your property curb appeal at night!  This is becoming evidently more important as so many potential home buyers drive by homes for sale during the evening hours, after work. 
• It is recommended that to look its absolute best, a home must have its lawn mowed twice a week in the summer.  Along with that it is necessary to pull weeds from beds and sweep or blow walkways clear of trimmings and debris. 

🦚Article by Connie Helena, author of The Green Orchid 🦚