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Hoot Landscape has over thirty-five years of experience in residential landscape design and installation to preserve your landscape’s integrity for years to come and maintain your beautiful investment.

Hoot Landscape provides Design & Landscape installation, Natural Stone work, stamped patios and walkways in Auburn, Fort Wayne, New Haven, Huntertown, Leo, Columbia City and Laotto.

Call (260) 637-3527 to set up and appointment today!

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A good first impression can make a world of difference when you’re selling your home. By upgrading your curb appeal, you have a chance to influence how potential buyers feel about your home before they even step inside.

While it’s important to balance the money you spend on improvements with a realistic idea of what you can recoup, many improvements to your landscaping can cost little, compared to the benefits of increased home value and a faster sale.

Front yard landscaping should be colorful and attractive. But a garden that reads “high-maintenance” can scare people away, so it’s important to keep landscaping neat and uncluttered.

Below is a list of some simple ways to improve your curb appeal when selling your home.

Get a fresh perspective

Before you can choose which projects to start with, it helps to see your landscape with fresh eyes and a broad, overall view. We get so used to our landscaping that it can be hard to pinpoint what others might see. There are two simple tricks to seeing your landscape with a new viewpoint. With both of these techniques, the goal is to forget what you think you know about your landscape and to instead see what is actually there.

The first is an old artist’s trick. Stand back from your landscape, far enough away that you can see all of it at once. Then squint your eyes until they blur, and try to clear your mind.

There may be areas that, when viewed with blurred eyes, appear dark and overgrown. Some areas might feel messy because there are too many small plantings, statues, or pots. Or, you may have an area that is bright and clean, but a little too bare. All of these insights can give you a general idea of which projects to tackle first.

The second technique you can use to see your landscape with fresh eyes is to take some black and white photographs of your landscaping. Taking color away can make a familiar space seem new, so you can see it with objective eyes. Nowadays, most digital cameras have a black and white setting, so this is easy to do even if you’re not a techno-whiz.

Define the borders and add mulch

Clean edges fool the eye into seeing the entire landscape as neat and well-maintained. If lawn has crept into your garden beds and created an uneven line, then defining the border can improve the look of the whole landscape.

Start by laying out a garden hose, or using spray chalk to outline the new border. Don’t make the beginner’s mistake of creating a wavy, “drunken snake” of a line; instead go for broad, sweeping curves that are in scale with the size of your home. Then, use a mattock or pulaski to chip away at the grass until you have a clean, attractive line.

Once you’ve established a neat border, a layer of wood chip mulch adds a refined look. Not only does it help keep weeds down during the selling process, but the bright color is attractive, smooths out an uneven soil surface, and generally gives the landscaping a professional finish.

Prune overwhelming shrubs

While pruning can be tough to tackle if you don’t know what you’re doing, there are a few simple pruning techniques that can make a fast difference.

Just remember that you don’t want to prune anything severely if you can help it, or attack anything with the hedging shears unless the plant is quite clearly meant to be a hedge. That kind of pruning makes it obvious that the maintenance got out of control, which is not the signal you want to send to potential buyers!

Instead, focus on subtler ways of pruning. One technique that makes shrubs look neat with little effort is to “skirt” them. Skirting is when you prune around the base of a shrub, removing any branches that are within 6 inches of the ground. This gives a more open appearance, and works wonders on Rhododendrons and other shrubs that can look moundy and overwhelming when sprawling on the ground

Another good pruning task is to gently prune any plant that is touching the house. Plants that lean on the house can cause chipped paint as well as mold and ant infestations. If your buyer has a home inspection done, it’s a problem that will be noted in the report. Pruning plants 8 inches to 1 foot away from the house will give the landscaping a more open appearance, as well as give you room to power wash the house or touch up paint as needed.

The only shrubs that should be pruned heavily are those that are flopping over a walkway, blocking the view from the street to the front door, or keeping light from streaming into a window. Even then, it’s better to thin plants gracefully or consider even removing them, rather than going in for The Big Chop.

Add color with paint and pots

If a focal area isn’t drawing the eye as it should (think front door, patio and seating areas), a bold shot of color can be just what’s needed. While the obvious solution is to use container plantings, there are a few important points to remember.

First, less is more. Choose just one or two larger pots that have a distinctive color or shape, rather than lots of small pots that can feel cluttered.

Next, go for a simple one- or two-color planting scheme that highlights what is special about your home, like the color of the stone, trim, or surrounding shrubs. This keeps the focus on your home, rather than on the individual plantings.

Lastly, don’t be afraid of paint. If your patio furniture looks tired and worn, it will be hard for potential buyers to envision themselves sitting there. Freshly stained or painted patio furniture can draw the eye and help buyers imagine the great times they’ll have in their new landscape. Choose a color that picks up on some element in the landscaping, and add a few cushions to set the scene.

Ask for help

Hoot Landscape offers consultation services.  If you’re having trouble deciding what to focus on, even a short meeting with us can help you pinpoint the tasks that you need to work on.

As you can see, even a small investment in the landscape goes a long way towards increasing your curb appeal and making it more likely that buyers will fall in love with your home.

Give us a call today if you would like one of our professionals to assist you with making your home stand out from the rest of your neighbors.   Call us at 260-637-3527

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Great patio furniture brings people together whether it is on your deck or porch something says, “Come! Relax! Enjoy!” when patio furniture is involved.
The perfect patio furniture changes everything. Dining outdoors can be a breeze – chill a bottle of wine, toss something simple on the grill, and set a table with flickering outdoor candles.

Adding a fire pit as part of your landscaping will extend the enjoyment of your backyard for you and your guests. They provide warmth, light, a cooking source, and ambiance, making them a natural gathering spot for socializing, entertaining, and relaxation.

People are drawn to the campfire-like atmosphere, and before you know it, there will be story-telling and laughter. A fire pit can also serve as an important focal point in your outdoor landscape design. When placed where it can be easily seen from your interior living space, it can be enjoyed from the indoors as well.

When it comes to patio furniture just a simple touch to your landscaping can make a difference.

From adding comfortable pillows, cushions to large outdoor umbrellas, it all matters in your outdoor oasis .  But make  sure to fold the umbrella device into its “down” position when it is not in use. With a large gust of wing, the umbrella can become a sail and rip through your yard – or worse, your neighbor’s yard – without warning. If you are on vacation, take the umbrella in during that time, to avoid any hazards that might be out of your control.

The sun and wind are bound to take a toll on your cushions and frames, so do them a favor by moving them around, so they all get equal coverage from the elements. This will also help keep your outdoor area looking fresh and new throughout the season!

Whatever you do, do not make excuses about your outdoor space. If it is important to you, you will outfit it accordingly.

If you are interested in purchasing outdoor living patio furniture, visit our partner at www.modernlinesdesign.com

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DEFINE YOUR ENTRY

Whether you’re designing a front entrance, you should create a landscape that directs visitors to the entry and doesn’t require them having to walk across your lawn to reach the door.  When planning your path, make it as comfortable as possible. Rule of thumb is ensuring that it is wide enough for two people to fit side-by-side  or at least 4 feet wide. You can choose from a variety of paving materials, but it’s important to select a material that complements the rest of your landscape while standing out slightly to give the path definition. Brick, stone and concrete are the most common options, but wood or gravel are also a popular look.

While a path can help define a front entry, it’s also a good idea to add at least one focal point between the sidewalk and the entrance to further distinguish the entryway from the rest of the landscape. You can choose from a variety of options, but plantings are the most common.

HERE ARE SOME FRONT ENTRY IDEAS AND DESIGNS TO GIVE YOUR HOME’S EXTERIOR A BEAUTIFUL AND UNIQUE APPEARANCE.

•    Incorporate a walkway – nothing is more beautiful and welcoming than a walkway from the driveway to the front porch. Whether you go for brick, stone or concrete, it is a popular front entry design.

•    Add potted plants and flowers – even if you don’t have a front porch, there are still plenty of great front entry ideas. Hang potted plants on either side of your door to accentuate the entrance, and make sure you use pots and plants of various sizes and shapes.

•    Go for a natural look – you may be surprised at how different your front entrance looks by just adding a few boulders and rocks to the garden.

•    Stairs – is your front yard on a slope? If you have to walk uphill to get to the front door, don’t feel limited in your design choices – just work with what you have! One of the most popular front entry ideas for this type of yard is a brick or stone stairway. It gives your home a welcoming appearance and visitors probably won’t even notice the hill!

•    Koi ponds – A lot of people also turn to small little ponds or seating areas that will encourage people to spend more time on their front yard. Ponds can also bring a feeling of serenity to your yard, especially if you fill your ponds with fish.

•    Put in a retaining wall – retaining walls are another great front entry landscaping idea for homes on a slope. However, a retaining wall can be used purely for aesthetic purposes as well. And they create a beautiful front entrance for any style home!

•    Add Landscape Lighting– brighten your front entrance with landscape lighting, whether it’s a couple of lamp post on either side of the door or lining the walkway or adding a light fixture to the porch ceiling. This front entry landscaping design will not only add beauty to your front entrance but make it easier for your party guests to make their way to the front door at night!

Good landscape design can significantly improve your property’s appearance by adding warmth, curb appeal and personality. Every home should make a good first impression, and dressing up your front entrance is an excellent way. Hoot Landscape & Design can landscape your front entryway and give your front garden the perfect finishing touch.

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First off, as the client, you need to establish your current needs.  This is important, as it will affect the choice of contractor that you seek out at a later date.  For example, is the project planting only, or does it involve a more thorough redo of both hardscape and softscape features?  If the project includes hardscape changes you should focus on what the current shortcomings are and how you see the revised spaces being used.  This is all valuable information for your interview process with potential designer and contractors.

You should also become aware of the different avenues for design work.  One option is to work directly with a designer that only does design, without a contracting service.  This avenue allows the client to get a set of plans that they can put out to bid with independent contractors.  Another option for design work is to work with a design build group.  This is more of a turnkey service from start to finish.  Design/build groups typically offer lower design fees and some crediting of design fees toward construction costs.

Once you have established your needs, picked a designer and acquired finished plans it is time to pick a contractor.  Local contractors are usually quite visible via advertising in local publications, visibility of trucks in the neighborhood and internet presence.  Word of mouth is always a source for acquiring a few different options, especially with smaller quality outfits that do not maintain a high profile.

An interview with prospective contractors would be next.  Always work with licensed contractors that are properly bonded and insured.  Key questions at a walk through or initial consultation should address a number of issues.  Does the contractor have significant experience with the scope of work your project has?  Do they have projects nearby you could see, and can they provide references from past projects?  What is their typical warranty program?  How long have they been in business and what is their background/history?

Based on answers to these questions a final choice needs to be made.  I would always go with the representative that not only had the information you needed, but also was a good listener, showed up on time, and looked professional.  All of these nuances reflect a person who takes pride in their work and presentation.

Finally, once a contractor has been chosen, remember that you will still need to put time into the project.  Even with the most turn-key contractor there will likely be time required on your part to address questions and changes that pop up along the way to completion.

At Hoot Landscape and Design, We take pride in what we do and our work is first class.  Let us help you get started today with a visit to your home.

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-Look Inviting

Guide your guests to your doorway by using pathway lighting. Professional landscape lighting will invite guests towards your home and through the landscape without missing a step. Pathways can be lit using LED lighting fixtures on the ground-level or though down lighting in trees or off of structures. One key thing to remember with down lighting pathways is that you will want to illuminate the walkway without “light bombing” guests as they step. This will highlight each step through your property creating an unforseen hazard.

-Highlight the Features of Your Property

Whether it is a beautiful Oak tree, a magnificent pondless waterfall, or lush and colorful planter, landscape lighting is the best way to ensure that the key accents of your landscape are showcased properly. The beautiful branches and canopies of your valued trees will create new drama at night. The brilliant colors of your flowers and plants will shine through the darkness. Professional landscape lighting will make these items stand out even more in the contrasting darkness of the evening hours.

-Safety and Security

Professional landscape lighting is not just for aesthetics, it is a great deterrent to intruders. A well-lit home appears well-protected and will be less inviting to unwanted guests than a pitch-black landscape and property.

-Energy Efficiency

As a “green” company, it is always important to us to utilize the most energy-efficient  LED lighting possible.  The LED lighting fixtures not only save our clients on energy use but also on the tedious and annoying costs of constantly replacing bulbs. Professional LED Lighting is the key to saving money year after year on energy and maintenance costs while also enhancing the beauty of your landscape season after season.

These are the key areas to be concerned with when deciding on your options for landscape lighting. What is also crucial to the success of your lighting is to trust the project to a professional landscape lighting installation company.  Let us know how we can bring new safety, security and beauty to your landscape today.

-Hoot Landscape & Design is a Fort Wayne Company which specializes in all areas of Landscape Design, Landscape Construction, and Landscape Maintenance.

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