Billings MT Landscaping Blog

Landscaping in Billings MT by Landscaping By Allen

Everyone loves a lush, green lawn. Beautiful green grass that just makes you want to walk barefoot in it is one of the best parts of having a great lawn.

The vibrant colors of beautiful flowers and the sweet smell of shrubs and bushes are something that most homeowners love to have in their yard.

While the sights and smells are a great benefit to have in your yard, there are also other reasons to have these pleasant landscapes in your yard.

Many people don’t realize it, but the value that these plants add to the environment is enormous and probably reason enough all by itself to add these to your yard.

There are a number of environmental benefits to having managed landscaping:

1. They are environmental cleaners. Grass by itself plays a crucial role in capturing pollutants in the air such as dust, smoke, and numerous other pollutants. Plus, grass produces oxygen.
2. Natural Coolants. The grass is much cooler than dirt or gravel (and certainly asphalt) and it basically acts as a natural air conditioner for your yard and the surrounding area. On average your grass lawn can be up to 30 degrees cooler than asphalt and up to 20 degrees cooler than just bare dirt or topsoil. Not only that trees and bushes shading your home can reduce the temperature of your house in the summer a great deal. If you have the tree that actually shades the house, you can reduce attic temperatures by as much as 40 degrees, saving you a ton of money on your electric bill.
3. Water Protectors. Lawns offer natural water protection by absorbing run-off that may otherwise filter into bodies of water in your area.
4. Noise Suppressors. Grass and plants in your yard will dramatically reduce noise pollution. Hard surfaces such as concrete or asphalt naturally amplify noise and other sounds, while grass and plants and trees absorb it. Noise levels can be reduced by 20-30 percent simply by having a beautiful yard.
5. Air Cleaners. As noted, grass absorbs carbon dioxide and breaks it down into oxygen and carbon. A 50’x50’ lawn actually produces enough oxygen for a family of four.

If you live in an area that suffers from drought or has water restrictions, it is still important to maintain as healthy a lawn as possible.

Healthy lawns are a vital component of healthy communities and there are a number of sustainable practices that will still reduce water usage, but also provide the important environmental benefits.

Commercial landscaping offers just as many (if not more) benefits as residential landscaping does and businesses that tend to be successful are the ones that provide their customers and clients with landscaped areas around the outside of the building, and also plants on the inside of the building.

Here are several statistics about businesses that utilize plants and commercial landscaping:

1. Commercial offices that have nice landscaping have a 7% higher occupancy rate than those that do not.
2. Customers spend between 9-12% more in shopping areas that offer high-quality tree canopies.
3. Studies have shown that shoppers will travel greater distances to get to a shopping center with a tree canopy and also spend more time there once they arrive.
4. Companies that provide beautifully landscaped grounds for their employees also benefit. Studies have shown that works who can take their breaks and lunches on nicely landscaped grounds, as well as simply see nature from their desks, have a much better job performance and job satisfaction.

The physical and psychological benefits for humans that have more interaction with trees, grass, and plants are also well documented.

People find relief from stress when they are interacting with nature, even if they are just viewing it through a window.

Children with ADHD focus better after a trip outdoors. Workers are more productive in environments with plants and cognitive function is known to be improved.

Many times people just feel better without even understanding why. People instinctively feel a connection with plants that makes them want to incorporate more of it into their lives.

According to a 2012 report, research shows that nearly 65% of the people who responded to the survey were willing to pay more for an apartment or home if it was located in a nicely landscaped, green area.

Only 33% said they would pay more for a location near good shopping and 34% for good cultural venues. This clearly illustrates how important it is for humans to interact with nature, even if it is not something that we put into words very often.

Many organizations exist to research and document the effect that plants and grass and tress have on our lives.

The effects on the environment are irrefutable, but the effects that great landscaping has on human beings is less documented, but just as important.

There is a reason why people like to have a beautiful yard and plants in their homes and offices. It just plain makes them feel good and more productive in their day to day lives, not to mention less stressed.

Are you ready to feel good about your yard?  Get in touch with Landscaping by Allen today at (406) 861-5365 get a free landscaping quote here.