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LANDSCAPING NEWS AND IDEAS FROM THE VAN ZELST TEAM.
Maintenance: The unsung hero
of every glorious landscape.
Now that summer is in full swing, chances are your garden is already well established. But that doesn't mean it's time to hang up the spade until next year. The day-to-day care of your landscape over the summer months not only keeps plants and trees healthy and beautiful, by keeping pests and weeds under control, it sets the stage for a healthier environment next year.
Landscapes are dynamic—they must be managed if they are to remain elegant, livable spaces. Maintenance, however, is the most underappreciated aspect of a landscape plan (although we have been recognized by national industry associations for our skills).
Good maintenance is a year-round responsibility including careful pruning, removing competing weeds, cutting spent blooms, maintaining the soil and much more. That's why Van Zelst offers a complete array of landscape management services, performed by trained professionals.
Of course, even before a project is installed, the Van Zelst team is thinking about ways to nurture and protect healthy plants. We begin by making sure that the soil is rich with the necessary nutrients and that it drains properly for the types of plants that will be used. Appropriate irrigation systems are installed to meet the needs of various zones throughout your property. These steps, and others, will lay the foundation for healthy plants and a more efficient maintenance program.
As part of your overall landscape design, your Van Zelst team will provide a year-round maintenance plan. Because different types of plants, trees and lawn turf require varying levels of care, each variety will be accounted for. Ongoing management can then be transitioned to our maintenance team, who can take on weekly mowing, weeding and watering, as well as seasonal fertilization, pruning and more, so you can just sit back and admire the view.
Healthy plants not only look better and bloom longer, they're more resistant to pests and disease. A little preventive care can go a long way toward promoting your long-lasting, picture-perfect landscape.
Outdoor lighting tips.
Even it's staying light into the evening, chances are you're enjoying the outdoors long past sundown. To fully enjoy your landscape, consider strategically chosen and installed lighting. And remember:
- Lighting shouldn't draw attention to itself. Use it to highlight the beauty of your home and landscape, and increase visitors' safety.
- Conceal fixtures behinds shrubs and other landscape features for a soft, atmospheric effect.
- Don't overlight. Outdoor lighting should mimic the warm glow of moonlight.
- Consider low-voltage or solar powered lighting for maximum efficiency.
Talk to Van Zelst about a pleasing, energy-efficient outdoor lighting plan.
First impressions made even better.
Home designers talk about the importance of the foyer—how that first look makes a lasting impression. But is that really the first impression? Or has that already been made by the exterior of your home? That's the importance of curb appeal. Whether you're considering a move or just want to ensure that you're putting your best face forward, you want your home to shine from the first glimpse.
To assess curb appeal, approach your home as if it were someone else's. Drive and walk up from every direction at different times of day. What does your home's exterior and landscaping say? Does it prepare visitors for what they'll find inside?
It can be easy to enhance your home's curb appeal. For example, add plantings that lead the eye to your home's entrance. Think about how they'll look throughout the year, not just at the height of their season. Consider replacing concrete slab walkways with a more inviting stone or paver path. And make sure the lawn and plants are healthy. Professional landscape maintenance can ensure that the landscape always looks its best without providing extra headaches for you.
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For answers to all your landscaping questions,
or to work with Van Zelst to create the perfect
environment for your family, drop us an
e-mail or give us a call at 847.623.3580.
All the best,
Dave Van Zelst
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© 2010 Van Zelst, Inc. All rights reserved. Our photographs are reproduced with the permission of Linda Oyama Bryan.
Van Zelst, Inc., 39400 N. Highway 41, Wadsworth, IL 60083
847-623-3580 | www.vanzelst.com
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