Wednesday, March 25, 2020

The Benefits of Bees in Your Garden

No one wants to get stung by a bee. However, you don't want to shoo bees away from your garden either. They provide crucial benefits to make your flora thrive thanks to their pollinating powers. Read on to learn why bees are every gardener's friend.

More Pollination, Greater Yield

Does your landscaping in Avon, MA, include edible plants? Do you want more plants to grow? If so, you should encourage bees to visit you. Most plants require pollination to yield delicious fruit and reproduce. Letting bees spend time in your garden is the easiest way to ensure your plants get sufficient pollination with no effort on your part.

As bees collect nectar and pollen from flowers, they also carry the plant's pollen from blossom to blossom, helping them thrive. While some plants can self-pollinate and thus don't require insect intervention, the vast majority will benefit immensely from some buzzing visitors – and you'll love the results too!

How to Attract More Bees

By including certain flowers and herbs in your landscaping plans, you can attract more bees to your property. Bees love these plants in particular:

  • Asters
  • Beebalm
  • Clovers
  • Marigolds
  • Milkweed
  • Oregano
  • Poppies
  • Rosemary
  • Sedum
  • Wild Geraniums
  • Zinnias
For assistance in designing and arranging your flowerbed in the most functional and aesthetically pleasing way possible, contact a professional landscaper in Avon, MA, surrounding areas.

Monday, February 24, 2020

Proper Landscaping Can Improve Property Value and Appeal


Curb appeal is your home’s ability to inspire attraction and awe at first glance. For many, it seems like a far-off luxury. For others, attaining it is a way of life. This begs the question: does having a well-kept lawn and garden have practical value?

When we say “practical value,” we’re referring to property values. In this blog, we’ll make a case for landscaping and landscape masonry in Avon, MA, as a way to make your home look more attractive--both on your block and on the listings.

Let’s get to the point: landscaping does make a difference. Your front lawn is a lot like a label for your home. If it doesn’t look good, most people will simply give your property a pass. By investing in your landscaping, it is easy for neighbors to appreciate your effort. It also spurs prospective home buyers to review your listing and arrange a tour.

If you are a member of a Homeowners’ Association, landscaping becomes more important. One of the main attractions to joining an HOA is that they take measures to preserve or enhance the property values for their members. For many HOAs, a well-kept lawn and garden is part of the bylaws and policies. Failure to maintain your landscaping may subject you to fines and even legal action.

Landscaping can make a big difference in enhancing property values and appeal. If you are wondering how to get your property ready for the market, then starting with the greenery may help. Team up with a landscape masonry company to learn what you can do.

How to Attract Butterflies to Your Home


Nothing sets a more idyllic scene in your backyard than a group of butterflies lilting playfully around your flowers. If you’ve ever wanted to add a little wildlife to your scenery, then it’s a noble endeavor. Butterflies don’t just add a peaceful ambiance to your property--their ability to promote pollination also helps your local ecosystem to thrive.

With the right landscaping and irrigation services in MA, you can build a picture-perfect butterfly garden. Here are a few tips to help you get started:

Plant Native Flowering Plants: In many cases, butterflies and flowering plants have co-evolved with one another. When planning your garden, start with native flowers that grow locally in your geographic area. The plants provide nectar and foliage that butterflies and caterpillars need to live.

Stay Away from Insecticides: Many insecticides on the market today are lethal to butterflies. If there is one thing to remember about these chemicals, it’s that they don’t discriminate between insects you want and those you don’t. It’s best to steer clear of pesticides entirely, anywhere on your lawn or garden, if you want to attract butterflies.

Think about the Life Cycles of Butterflies: The art of attracting butterflies to your garden rests on providing what they need throughout their life cycle. Have plants that allow butterflies to pollinate and rest, while also providing foliage to lay their eggs and for growing caterpillars. It’s also helpful to include damp spots of dirt or sand for “puddling,” which allow butterflies to absorb water and nutrients.

Starting a butterfly garden from scratch can be challenging, but the effort is worth it. If you aren’t sure where to begin, choose a professional gardener for landscaping and irrigation services.