Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, April 8, 1990 TAG: 9004100143
SECTION: GUIDE TO BETTER HOMES PAGE: GTBH6 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: KIM SUNDERLAND
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
"Landscaping and lawn care help make people more aware of the benefits of plants," said Jeff Miller, owner of Laurel Creek Nursery in Christiansburg. "They reduce global warming by cooling the atmosphere and they help clean the air."
By absorbing carbon dioxide from the air, plants then release oxygen. Since each of us needs about 35 pounds of oxygen every day, it's beneficial to keep plants in our lives. Landscapers and lawn maintenance companies are trying to stress these benefits as well as those of looks and value.
"It isn't just to make the house look nice," Miller said. "Landscaping increases the home's value."
Landscaping is the art of design. Landscape architects, designers and contractors are trained to take all aspects of a property and turn it into the most effective and beautiful site it can be.
"We draw up plans after viewing the property," said Lisa Yagle, horticulturist at family-owned Yagle Nursery in Elliston. "Some people may have their own, but we like to draw up plans that will benefit the entire area."
Yagle Nursery, which sells wholesale and retail, is not a garden center and does basic landscape planning with trees and scrubs. Guaranteed for a year, the scrubs are placed to deflect the winds of winter and to shade during the heat of summer. "And for $2,500 we can do a home rather nicely," Yagle said noting an average price that includes the landscape plans.
After a plan has been drawn up, but before placing trees and scrubs, there are considerations such as sun angles, shade, wind directions, views and privacy.
"Trees can break up space," said Barry Johnson, one of three landscape designers at Laurel Creek Nursery. "Homes are so close together these days that trees can make it so you're not looking at your neighbors face-to-face."
Also, placing large trees on a particular side of the house helps reduce energy costs.
Where winters are cold, a barrier of trees at the north and west sides of a building shield it from chilling winds, according to the American Association of Nurserymen.
The association said that in the open plain states, a house protected by a wind-barrier of trees shows heating fuel savings of up to 40 percent compared to the same house without trees.
"In the New River Valley, trees for this purpose are very popular," said Miller of Laurel Creek. "We need trees in this area as wind screens. This cuts down on air-conditioning and heating bills."
Laurel Creek charges an average of $1,000 to $2,000 for landscaping. Designer Johnson said the front yard, which is rarely used and more or less creates a presence for the house, can be bordered with scrubs and flowers as well as larger trees.
"Each project must be evaluated separately," Johnson said. "The price varies and depends many things, like tree sizes, for example. Some trees that will be planted may require us to rent cranes to lift them."
At Laurel Creek, small trees cost $35 and larger oaks, maples and ashes can run $100.
Other pricing variants include the condition of the property, grading, construction work and soil problems.
Backyards, which are used more, require different planning since homeowners must consider whether to include patios, pools, sitting areas, gardens, spas or shelters. A landscape plan can include these and work with them.
Walkways, borders and lighting, which allows enjoyment of the landscaping into the night and provides security, are all part of the total landscape design as well.
Not only does landscaping improve the environment by adding plants, improve aesthetics and property values, but it's good exercise, too.
And both Yagle and Laurel Creek provide guarantees on their work for a year.
Lawn care includes many services, but is centered on the use of chemicals to kill such things as weeds, crabgrass, insects and fungus.
Since the use of pesticides has escalated, many area businesses are urging that professionals handle the job since they can do it properly.
"We've taken the strict issue to control pesticides in the environment," said Allen Dressler, manager of Blacksburg-based Lawnmark, which specializes in lawn programs. "We will no longer do broad applications of a pesticide. It's just not needed."
Lawnmark plans to cut its chemical use 50 percent by the end of the year. For instance, Dressler said if only three weeds need treating, then only three weeds will be treated.
"These are toxic chemicals," said Dressler. "They should be used properly since there are ground water and surface control factors to consider."
All Lawnmark pesticide applicators are licensed with the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
Green-Up Lawn Service in Blacksburg also has licensed applicators who are careful to apply only the amount of chemicals needed to get rid of insects, weeds or fungus.
"We're more careful with the label rates," explained Green-Up owner Ric Moore. "We know that if we exceed the label rate, there's a penalty and fine."
Both Green-Up and Lawnmark store their own chemicals and have them disposed of by environmental officials.
"The homeowner is the worst user of chemicals," said Dressler. "A professional doing the job rids the homeowner of chemical handling and reduces landfill problems when the chemicals are disposed of properly."
Both companies offer a five application program for the lawn that lasts throughout the year and includes insect control, broadleaf weed control, aeration and fertilization.
Lawnmark averages $180 to $200 for a 6,000 to 7,000 square-foot residential property for this program and offers free inspections and estimates.
Green-Up charges a minimum of $22 per treatment for a 3,000 square-foot area of turf. The price increases $3 per additional 1,000 square feet. There is a 10 percent senior citizen discount as well as free lawn analysis and estimates.
Pre-emergence crabgrass control and seeding are other services offered by lawn maintenance firms. Green-Up also offers soil testing in the summer to indicate nutrient levels.
Many lawn care specialists work on residential and commercial properties and can provide additional services such as mowing, clipping, trimming and watering systems. Prices vary depending on the property's size and what needs to be maintained.
by CNB