Landscaping Harrisburg PA maintenance keeps your property looking beautiful throughout the year. It also helps you connect with nature, creates a welcoming ambiance, and boosts your property’s value.
Maintenance includes lawn care services such as mowing, fertilization, pest control, and garden cleanup. It can also include hedging and pruning.
Landscape management is more in-depth and involves a thorough audit of your property to stop its deterioration at the source by fixing underlying issues.
There are certain home improvements that can add a lot of value to a property, and many of those can be done by upgrading the landscape. Curb appeal is a common element to consider when making these upgrades, and there is often a great return on investment, with most homeowners recouping the costs when they sell their homes.
Curb appeal is important because it creates a first impression that can greatly affect how a person perceives a home. When a home has curb appeal, it shows that the owners care about how the home looks and have paid attention to details. If a potential buyer sees this, they will assume that the interior of the house is also well cared for, which can lead to a positive halo effect and a higher sales price.
Adding flowers is one of the most basic ways to increase your curb appeal, and it can be very affordable as well. However, it is important to keep in mind that not all potential buyers are gardeners, so it’s a good idea to use plants that don’t require a lot of maintenance and that won’t litter the front yard with petals or seed pods.
Another important part of curb appeal is the color of the house, and it’s a good idea to choose colors that are both eye-catching and tasteful. Choosing a color that reflects the style of the house and complements the surrounding landscaping will make the whole look of the yard cohesive.
When it comes to hardscaping, adding a retaining wall or a patio is a great way to improve curb appeal. This is because it can add a visual element to the landscape and can also be used for seating or entertainment purposes.
Lastly, adding an accent wall can really make your home stand out from the rest of the neighborhood. It can be made out of any material, and it’s a great way to add some extra character to your home.
Health
The right landscaping design and proper care can make your property more attractive. It can also provide many health benefits, such as increased air quality and improved mental wellness. Studies have shown that having a lush green space around your home can also boost the value of your property. So if you are thinking about selling your house in the future, investing in landscaping maintenance may be a good idea.
However, not all landscaping services are created equal. While the terms “management” and “maintenance” are often used interchangeably, it is important to understand that management typically addresses underlying issues that cause your landscape to deteriorate, while maintenance deals with day-to-day upkeep.
Some examples of maintenance services include pruning, weeding, mulching, mowing, edging, and shrub and hedge trimming. Some landscaping companies offer additional services such as irrigation testing, repairs and calibrations, fertilization, plant replacement, soil preparation, and grading. Other services are more specific, such as installing hardscape structures, planting, tree care, and horticultural treatments.
Landscaping is a labor-intensive profession that requires physical exertion and attention to detail. As such, there are a number of health and safety risks associated with this work. For example, heat stress (or heat exhaustion) is a common risk when working outdoors in the summer. This can be caused by sweating, dehydration, or a lack of water breaks. Protective eyewear is also an essential tool for this work, and many landscaping professionals wear goggles that are tinted to help reduce the effects of sunlight on their eyes.
Other potential hazards of the job include occupational noise exposure, machinery operation, and slips, trips, and falls. To mitigate these risks, a landscaping company should maintain a comprehensive safety program that includes regular training, the implementation of workplace procedures and policies, and a commitment to the well-being of its employees.
A written safety manual is a critical tool for a landscape company to have in place. It serves as a reference for employees when faced with hazardous situations, and it is frequently requested by workers’ compensation insurance providers, OSHA, clients, and others. Creating one from scratch is time-consuming and difficult, so most landscapers use templates.
Safety
A landscape is not static, and many different services are involved in maintaining the look of a yard. While some services are fairly common, such as mowing, pruning, and tree removal, others involve more intricate care. These include soil cultivation, fertilization, and broadleaf application. These services can also include planting, mulching, and edging.
All these services are important for a landscape to maintain its health and look. However, it’s also crucial that these services be performed in a safe manner. Many different hazards are associated with landscaping maintenance, including heat exposure, hazardous equipment, and repetitive hard work. All of these can cause injuries.
One of the most common types of landscapers’ injuries is falls. This can occur from either elevated or same-level falls. An elevated fall occurs when a worker falls from an area above ground level, such as off a ladder or into a hole. A “same-level fall” is when a worker falls on the same floor where they are working.
Another risk is chemical exposure. Landscapers can be exposed to many different chemicals, including pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides, that can affect the lungs. They are also regularly exposed to silica dust, a mineral that is found in soil, rock, sand, and concrete. Disturbing these materials by cutting, chipping, drilling, or crushing can release microscopic particles that can irritate the lungs and lead to silica-related diseases like lung cancer.
Other potential risks include cuts and burns from sharp tools, hand and eye injuries from power equipment, and vehicle accidents when traveling to and from jobs. To reduce these risks, landscapers can wear reflective clothing to make themselves visible to drivers and use ear protection when using power equipment. They can also drink plenty of water and take rest breaks to prevent dehydration and heat stress. They can also practice safety procedures such as ensuring the mower blades are completely off before attempting repairs or starting the vehicle. This can help avoid injuries such as amputations or lacerations.
Value
Whether you’re hosting a gathering for family and friends or getting ready to sell your home, attractive landscaping adds value. It also enhances curb appeal. A well-maintained garden, a lush lawn, and healthy shrubs are what first grab people’s attention. In fact, studies show that homeowners can recover 100 percent of their landscape and tree care costs at the time of sale.
Keeping up with regular landscaping maintenance is essential for your property’s health and safety, but you should only work with the best providers. It’s important to research companies in your area and read online reviews. Make sure you choose a company that is professional, reputable, and experienced in all aspects of landscaping services.
The difference between management and maintenance may seem confusing at times. The terms are often used interchangeably, but they describe two very different types of services. While maintenance deals with the status quo, management addresses underlying issues and provides long-term solutions.
If your property is experiencing a lot of weeds, insects, or disease, it may need management. In this case, the landscaping company will develop a plan to deal with these problems and prevent future ones. The service might include aeration, dethatching, or overseeding to improve the health of your yard.
In addition, landscaping management can help you create a peaceful outdoor environment by transforming your lawns, gardens, and trees into natural settings with a variety of colors and textures. It also includes hardscaping elements like patios, walkways, fire pits, and stone walls that can transform your exteriors into relaxing spaces.
