Saturday, October 15, 2011

Landscape = Security


These days people have their homes looking like Fort Knox. When you drive around a neighborhood you can always spot the home with security features. It has the big iron gates, security cameras, and even the sign proudly stuck in the front yard showing their security company. What many people don't realize is that their landscaping (which they have to put in anyways) can be one of the greatest security features of their home. I am pretty sure most HOA boards and your neighbors for that matter, don't want to see you putting up an electric barbed fence. Although it would probably deter an intruder it doesn't have much curb appeal. There are a few alterations that you can make to your landscape design to make your home feel more safe.

After reading over a few studies of "types" of robbers I have found that most burglaries are teenagers that find a target within a mile of their home. They are definitely not professionals and look for an easy target. Seems simple right? Make your home "not" the easy target. Well this in fact can cost thousands of dollars and even sometimes a monthly fee. With these simple modifications I have come up with you can deter a robber without much cost.

As a rule of thumb most people know that keeping your trees and shrubs trimmed back away from doors and windows can prevent an intruder from hiding in the bushes. What you don't think about is that you should also keep your shrubs trimmed about a foot from the ground. That way you can see if someone (even an animal) is hiding in the tall bush. I would also suggested pruning your trees and bushes at least once a year, this way they stay far away from the ground and still maintain a clean appearance.

When an intruder is looking for an easy target, they want something they can get in and out of quickly without making much noise or causing a scene. Since you don't want your home to be "the target" you can plant uncomfortable trees and shrubs below windows and around property lines. Make sure and plant something with thorns, spines, or that will simply inflict pain when touched. Here in Arizona you have many to chose from especially since we live in the desert. Some examples are cactus, yuccas, bougainvilleas, citrus trees, berries, and of course rose bushes. Make sure the shrub is planted to cover the whole area and is close enough to the house someone couldn't hide behind it. Although most people want to go crazy and plant rose bushes under every window, be sure to leave at least one window free from shrubs in the event there is an emergency you can escape. Just make sure you leave that window locked.

Landscape Lighting is also a great option for safety. I am not talking about the huge floodlights that glare in your neighbors window at night. Believe me I have been victim of the large bright lights shinning in my window all night and am not a fan. Instead you can use low wattage landscape lights to illuminate your trees and shrubs and give a little glow to your backyard. Since the lights are low wattage they cost pennies to operate. Although you have to pay a little bit more for a landscape professional to install them you will not only have a nice looking backyard, but a light backyard that you can see in. All burglars want it dark so they can hide and be sneaky.

Another option that is if you have a circular drive in your front yard be sure not to park your vehicle in front of your front door. This leaves the opportunity for a home invasion. It seems easy to park as close the door as possible, but it can be very unsafe. It leaves you as a target, even if you are not home. The burglar can break into your home through the front door without it being seen from the street.

Instead of leaving dirt on the edges of your lawn or in your side yards try putting down the crunchy gravel. It will not only help with the curb appeal, but if anyone decided to walk on it you will hear them. It also helps keep the weeds and grass under control .

Using these simple tips I know that it will not only make your landscape look good, but give you a sense of safety in your own home. Also many neighborhoods are now starting Neighborhood Watch programs to keep an eye on each others house. Try joining these programs or even creating one in your neighborhood if it is not available to you. A few eyes watching your home is better than just yours.

Saturday, October 1, 2011

Brown Cypress

I recently had a client call me about her Cypress Trees turning brown in sections. After some research I found that Cypress Trees can get Spider Mites. They are very small and not seen easily with the naked eye. With a heavy infestation you can see the webbing all over the plant. It is interesting because the small guys use their mouths to suck plant sap. Their feeding results in speckling (formation of tiny brown spots) on needles. Some needles and branches may even drop off. Thankfully, you will usually only see these little critters in the spring or fall. When it starts to get hot they fall victim to much larger insects. If you do not treat the infestation though, it can lead to the death of the tree.

Luckily its pretty dang easy to save your Cypress. They have a few products available to the homeowner, but the mos t popular that I found was the Bayerr Advanced 3-in-1 Insect, Disease & Mite Control. It is pretty easy to find and comes with a sprayer to use. You can purchase it at your local nursery. If that still doesn't do the trick be sure to call your local bug man. He has a lot stronger chemicals to do the job, just be sure he uses the appropriate chemical so it doesn't kill your tree.

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Do-It Yourself Maintenance

Did you know the most expensive part of your landscape investment will be watering your lawn? It is true. Landscape irrigation accounts for more than half of your outdoor watering.

Here are a few easy tips to keep your lawn green and your water bill low:

1. Set your sprinkler timers to 2-3 times a day. This way you will eliminate any runoff (wasted water) and insure that your lawn is getting the most water from each cycle.

2. When its a windy day try to avoid watering as it all blows away.

3. The best time to water in the hot season is early morning and when the sun is about to go down. That way your water is not evaporating.

4. Fix leaky valves, sprinkler heads, rusted pipes, etc.

5. Be sure to adjust your timer to each new season. For instance in the winter time you don't want to water too late because you run the risk of freezing your lawn.


A few extra steps can save you a lot of water in the long run. This way you can do your part to "going green" and get the benefits of a luscious lawn.

Sunday, September 11, 2011

The Most Important Part of Your Home

Landscaping your yard is just as important as painting your walls or decorating your home. Whether your yard is large or small it is the first impression people see before they enter your home and the last thing they see when they leave. Each clients landscape is unique to fit their needs. Some people want a backyard to escape the pressures of everyday life, others want it for their children to have a safe place to play, and some just need a place for their pets to roam. Whether you chose to do a grand scale or a simple backyard it should fit both your needs and wants all while staying in your outlined budget.

Throughout the years of bidding for jobs and talking to many clients. I have come to find out that their are some things that consumers don't know when they landscape their home. So here is a list to ask yourself before your investment.

1. What are my needs?

2. What are my wants?

3. What is my budget?

4. How long do I want this process to take?

5. How often will I use my backyard?

6. Who will be using it?

7. Do I want the Tuscan, Desert, Botanical, Tropical, etc. feel?

8. Do I want something that is low-maintenance or high maintenance?

9. Do I want my plants to be water automatically?

10. When I find a landscaper, are they licensed?

I can guarantee with my expertise in the landscape field that if you ask yourself these questions before you meet with your contractor you will be completely satisfied when the job is completed. Not only will you have a beautiful landscaping, but you will have stayed in your budget. Lets face it, during these rough economic times every penny counts and the last thing you want to do is spend money that you don't have.