A few weeks ago, I celebrated a birthday.
Several of my neighbors and friends got together and surprised me with a party, my favorite cake and a generous gift card to one of Atlanta's most visited retail garden nurseries -- known as PIKE Family Nurseries!
Pike's has a catchy little jingle called "Playin' In The Dirt Again". It's often heard frequently on the radio and TV this time of year. Their great service and this jingle keep PIKE locations in and around the Atlanta metro area rather busy most of the year, but especially in the spring time. As a result, last weekend, I did some shopping at PIKE's with my new gift certificate for some seasonal plantings.
Residential yards and commercial landscaping in Atlanta really "pop" year round. Most peoples yards and every entrance for every bank, shopping center, retail establishment, building and businesses in Atlanta are highly landscaped year round.
With the onset of spring and summer, yards and gardens retake their rightful places at the center of attention. With my gift card, I've added cascading Vinca and Dragon Wing Begonias to my front landscaping as well as a beautiful mix of other seasonal flowers to my backyard landscape too. Vinca and Dragon Wing Begonias seem to do very well for me. They are both droubt tolerant, require little watering and seem to enjoy full sun. I'm a creature of habit and I often go with what I know has a history of working well for me!
Additionally my Gardenias are in full bloom and the aroma they generate is simply Divine (I'm told as I don't have a sense of smell).
Today, I received an e-mail from Pillar to Post. Pillar to Post is an Inspection company that often offers good advice. The e-mail I received today highlights several steps home owners can take to make their outdoor spaces and their home live compatibly. So I share their tips as follows:
Keep water away from the house
Be sure that the ground slopes away from the house all the way around the perimeter. This ensures that any moisture from rain and sprinkler systems will be directed away from the foundation.
The base of shrubs and other plantings should be kept at least 2" away from the foundation to avoid potential problems with roots and drainage. In addition, window wells should be kept free of debris and lined with gravel to help water drain out of the well and into the ground.
Do not leave sprinklers on for too long. Excessive water will not do plants and lawns any good, and may cause problems if there are drainage issues in certain areas.
The Right Plant in the Right Place
When a tree is growing very close to a structure, there can be potentially serious problems if the tree grows too tall or too wide for the space. Damage to eaves and roofs can be caused by overgrowth, and there is even a danger of branches or an entire tree falling onto the home. Existing trees should be professionally pruned to lesson the potential for hazard. When planting new trees, homeowners should research potential "candidates" to find how large the tree will eventually grow and make decisions accordingly.
Homeowners should also consider grouping plants that have similar water requirements to avoid over watering plants that don't need as much. Not only will plants do better, but water bills will be lower over time as well.
Choose plants with maintenance in mind
Some plants end up requiring more maintenance than a homeowner expects. When selecting new planting material, homeowners should seek advice from qualified personnel at a local nursery who will know what plants will do well in their area, their growth habits and maintenance requirements.
Lawns should not be mowed too short or too frequently. Allowing the blades of grass to shade one another helps with water retention and allows grass to grow in more fully. Many newer turf grasses require less mowing than older varieties, and should be considered for new lawn installations. In the Atlanta metro area for example, the turf of choice is typically Bermuda sod for its drought tolerance and rapidly growing nature. Homeowners can find out more at their local agricultural or extension office.
These are just some of the ways that homeowners can increase the enjoyment of their outdoor spaces while ensuring that home and yard are in good shape.
Indigenous Plants To The Atlanta Metro Area
Additionally, I'd like to add that if you are a new comer to the Atlanta area from out of state, the first thing you will learn as you prepare your soil, is that our soil is rock hard clay. There are time saving ways to get your soil into a more manageable condition before you break your back trying. Don't be afraid to ask your local nursery. They'll be happy to offer suggestions. Additionally, you'll want to ask landscapers and nursery's what plants do best under full sun and what plants prefer shade. You'll want to investigate the alternatives and learn about the indigenous plants too. Have fun and don't be shy. There are plenty of landscapers and garden experts here who will be happy to help you as you get started "playin' in the dirt" this season!
Sara Hibbard is a licensed Realtor in the state of Georgia and works with buyers and sellers alike. Sara is easily reachable at 404-660-2481 or www.SaraHibbard.com or via e-mail at Sara@SaraHibbard.com. Sara looks forward to answering your many questions and assisting you throughout the process when the time is right for you. Sara Hibbard is Glad Georgia Real Estate Is on Your Mind!
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