Landscape Your Place-Increase the Value 20%
March/April 1970
By the Mother Earth News editors
 |
FIRST - Divide your place into four separate areas: public, private, service and production
|
Developing a Plan
RELATED CONTENT
First in a series by well known authors detailing the richness and beauty of our natural resources ...
These readers demonstrated their determination to do more with less with these construction designs...
Can't sleep? Follow these six natural sleep aid suggestions....
A HOUSE PLANT THAT CURES AIDS? September/October 1988
SEASONS OF THE GARDEN
...
ALTHOUGH our homestead is not for sale, in January of this year I was offered more than twice the amount we originally paid for it.
Part of this increase is due to inflation and the housing shortage. But even a few years from now when the housing shortage is over and inflation has levelled off - and maybe real estate prices will take a big drop - even then I feel confident that our homestead will be worth considerably more than we originally paid and will be far more desirable and easier to sell than it was when we bought it.
One big reason for this extra value is the simple combination of a few little things that improve its appearance and its outdoor livability. I don't want to call it landscaping because you may think that means we have a large estate or have spent a lot of money on fancy things whereas what we've actually done is to plant a few inexpensive trees, shrubs and flowers in the most natural places. The amazing fact is with $25 worth of seeds and plants you can add literally hundreds of dollars to the value of a small place. More important, the place becomes lovelier and more livable. Your aim needn't be to make your yard showy - but just the kind of place people want to be in - a place that feels right outdoors.
If you'll look at the two top pictures of our place on page 10, you can see a couple of smaller changes that made a big difference. See how much better the small evergreens look compared with the tree at the corner. Also note the big improvement in the front entrance. Although it doesn't show too much in the snapshot, the picket fence (at left) gives the house a longer look.
Next time you are driving in the country look at the difference in various houses. Some seem bleak and undesirable. Others seem friendly and inviting. Often you see a new expensive place equipped with many modern improvemenst that you just wouldn't want to have for yourself. Then you'll notice a less expensive, less modern place, perhaps with a nice orchard and an informal hedge of berry bushes and several nice shade trees. This sort of place, though less modern, is the one that says "home".
Just what is it you do to a country place to make this difference? Here are a few suggestions - a five year plan, that can greatly increase the value of a small homestead:
A 5-Year Landscape Plan
1st Year Become familiar with basic landscaping methods so you can work out a good plan for the entire place. Make a pencil layout of your land showing the house, road, driveway, nearest neighbors, barn, vegetable garden, etc. On this drawing show where you want to plant shade trees, fruit trees (dwarf), hedges and vines. Then mark desirable spots for flower beds, climbing roses, etc. You may need a screen of privet hedge or hemlock for privacy or to conceal the laundry yard or compost heap or close neighbors. If you want tall trees in a hurry, consider the fast-growing poplars - also privet hedge will grow high in one season. You can plant beds of perennials the first year too, but plant only as many as you can manage. Plant the trees, vines and shrubs first because they will take several years to grow and develop. If you don't like cutting the grass, you needn't have a large lawn. You can make it small by setting a hedge of brambles or berries, for instance, at the desired limits and beyond plant a beautiful field of alfalfa or clover.
Page: 1 |
2 |
3 |
Next >>
