You are out on a shopping spree or just for a stroll, and you stride into a beautiful space, pathway lined up with intricately kept lush and green lawn-mowed grass. Then suddenly, you are effortlessly soaked in the sights of pretty flowers with their inviting blossoms, an aromatic scent hits your nostrils, and pleasing twittering of happy birds fill you ears. This makes the outdoor relaxing and rejuvenating. There’s just something about the sunshine rays filtering through the leaves; dancing in the gentle breeze.... That all sound you hear, the beauty you take in, the cool air...that is as a result of a good landscaped yard.
So what is Landscaping?
Landscaping is the art and science involved in the process of making a garden or other piece of land more attractive by altering the existing design, adding ornamental features, and planting trees, shrubs, flowers and grass. Landscaping being an art and science, people who want to study it to become professional landscapers must then take horticulture, landscape design, botany and business as relevant courses.
Research has it that 90 per cent of people spend their time indoor. However human are still fully drawn to nature. More often than never to a good landscape.
There are quite a number of colleges and universities offering these courses in Kenya as well as outside.
Advantages of Landscaping:
1. Lifts mood, better health.
A nicely landscaped area has away of appealing to our eyes, soothing to our noses and improving a first impression of a place, and generating an unmatched feel-good mood in us.
2. Cooler Temperatures
Pathways bordering well manicured grass lawn is cooler than concrete slabs, cement and even bare soil. With grass radiating cooler temperatures all around your home or business by as much as 40 degree. More reasons to have your space landscaped is because tall trees positioned strategically in your compound provide shade during the hottest times of day and lower your temperatures by as much as 40 degrees? This lowers your air-conditioning needs.
3. Purifies Air
Did you know that grass and trees are hard at work every day capturing dust and smoke particles, removing carbon dioxide, and producing life-giving oxygen? In fact, a single tree can remove 12kg of carbon dioxide from the air every year; equivalent to sequestering car emission driven over 17, 702 kilometres
4. Supply Air.
The trees shrubs and vines used in landscaping give out the oxygen that all your organs depend on to function properly. Are you aware that one tree can also supply enough oxygen for 4 people every day
5. Control Storm and Soil Erosion.
The tall trees planted at the boundary act as wind breakers. Without them the building would wrecked by strong winds and storms. When xeriscape is incorporated, water run-off are channelled into drainage trenches or soaked in lawns. The grown trees when cut selectively later or pruned can be source of heat energy/ fuel. Further, their roots act as soil anchor, storm water runoff buffers, reducing the flow of sediments and pollutants to nearby bodies of water.
6. Reduced Use of Natural Resources
Xeriscaping is a landscaping method that requires little or no irrigation. Xeriscaped landscapes can reduce water use by 50-60% or more compared to regular landscapes. The technique also helps reduce noise pollution from operating watering or slashing equipment.
7. Improved Quality of Life
The beauty characterizing urban and peri-urban green spaced are courtesy of landscaping. And this is what makes such places nice to live at or visit with loads of physical and psychological benefits. It is know that just looking at plants reduces blood pressure. Walking through a natural environment, even in the middle of a city, improves attention and memory of such places just like a young man laying his eyes on a beautiful lass on the city streets.
8 Higher Economic Benefits
Did you know that businesses that have high-quality landscapes tend to be more successful? It’s true! Customers claim to spend more money on goods and services if the commercial building has a high-quality tree canopy; and shoppers say they’re willing to travel longer distances to shop in a district with better landscaping. They also say they stay longer once they arrive if the landscaping is peaceful.
9. Increased Property Value
Features like aesthetically pleasing water falls, cascades, pools, ponds, steams, etc placed in your landscape can add unique texture, natural sounds, and new wildlife to your property. Generally landscaped properties cost higher.
10. Conserved Environment
Let it not be forgotten that in Landscaping involve mostly planting pf suitable beauty trees, shrubs, herbs and vine that contribute largely to mitigating climate change. These plant absorb greenhouse gases. They further release the air we breath in. Landscaping therefore is one key conservational practice.
Disadvantages of Landscaping
1. Cost.
Landscaping is generally regarded as an expensive venture by many. When it is not always. Handling the work by yourself can save some coins but you may end up messing than mending. There are cost attached as water bills, equipment purchase, maintenance and repair costs. Paying for professional services, buying plants and chemicals and management cost.
2. Environmental impact
Introducing non-native plants can have adverse effects to local population. So mostly use indigenous species. Some plants can be or diseased. Chemical used can be detrimental effects to the environment. Noise pollution by mowing equipment can not be overemphasized.
Take-away:
Your landscaping doesn't need to milk your pockets dry. You can always work in phases to achieve your end goal of a beautiful home, school, hospital, church, golf course, etc Get in touch with a professional landscaper like us to help you realize that your dream landscaping. We shall surely guide you through every stage. Reach us on myexperthubs@gmail.com or +254740537387
