Planting around your home isn’t just about adding beauty to your surroundings. Your garden is an investment that can significantly increase the value of your property. A well-maintained garden can create a positive impact not just for you but the neighborhood as well, making your property more attractive and desirable.
A good garden provides so much more. Gardens not only enhance curb appeal and increase property value but also provide environmental benefits, improve air quality, offer privacy and tranquility, create outdoor living spaces, and foster an emotional connection with nature. Whether you’re looking to sell your home or simply enhance your living environment, investing in a garden is a decision that pays off in more ways than one.
Studies have shown that homes with beautifully landscaped gardens tend to have higher property values compared to those without. The added aesthetic appeal and functionality of a garden can increase the perceived value of your home in the eyes of potential buyers.
You don’t have to be a master gardener to create a beautiful outdoor environment. You just have to be willing to get your hands dirty.
Susan and Dennis Stevens of Rosendale have been pouring their love into their outdoor space for years. They slowly created several different environments around their home. In one corner area they added flowering shrubs for semi-privacy. They installed a little waterfall (could be solar if you don’t want to run electric), then added a bench to create a serene place to sit quietly and enjoy nature.
Their house is now for sale. The exterior environment they created definitely added value when they decided what price to list their home at.
Gardens contribute to environmental sustainability by providing habitats for birds, insects, and other wildlife. Sustainable landscaping practices can further enhance the eco-friendly appeal of your property, which is increasingly valued by environmentally conscious buyers. Trees, shrubs and other plants in your garden act as natural air purifiers by absorbing carbon dioxide and other pollutants while releasing oxygen. Improved air quality in the vicinity of your home can contribute to a healthier living environment.
Your local gardening shops can help guide you to the right plants and trees, depending on how much sun the area gets and the type of soil you have.
Gardens can create a sense of privacy, providing a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Features such as tall hedges, strategically placed trees, and secluded seating areas can make outdoor space feel like a private oasis. When my husband and I purchased our home ien years ago, I went right to work digging in the dirt. I had no experience in planting gardens before. I just knew that if I took some time and a little bit of money I could create an outdoor retreat that this Brooklyn girl so very much desired.
There is a spot on our land where you can see mountains. I planted my cherry tree there and placed a comfy bench with flowering pots on either side near it. From that spot, I could see just the tree, the lawn and the mountain. It was what I wanted.
Your gardens don’t have to be perfect, like right out of a magazine. With imperfection there can also come beauty. You must work with what you have.
Gardens offer opportunities for outdoor living and entertainment. They become expansions of your living environment. Features such as patios, decks, fire pits and outdoor kitchens can be a functional extension of your living space — perfect for hosting gatherings or simply enjoying the outdoors.
Gardens have a remarkable ability to evoke positive emotions and create a sense of connection with nature. They offer a space to unwind and reconnect with the natural world. Some people drive down the road where Susan and Dennis live they stop each spring to marvel at the cherry tree on their front lawn. It uplifts anyone living near them or driving by their home.
At the base of that tree is a rhododendron that flowers after the cherry tree drops its blossoms. Alongside is a bleeding heart that grows bigger and more beautiful every year.
The value is immeasurable.
Join the family! 
