Condo Landscaping is often overlooked. The truth is that condos don’t always have much physical space or budget for landscaping projects. Besides, condo boards sometimes place greater value on indoor amenities than on outdoor landscaping. We are here to challenge that!
We’ve included best practices to help you make landscaping and maintenance effortless. We’ve also listed out-of-the-box ideas that you can implement and benefit from. Your condo can easily become a green heaven. Let’s see how!
What We Will Cover
A Well-Maintained Condo Landscaping Project Increases Property Value
It might sound obvious, but it is important to highlight that first impressions are highly influential. When a guest or a potential buyer enters your community, the first thing they see is the outside of the condominium. If your landscaping isn’t well-maintained or if it’s nonexistent, it says a lot about how your condominium is being managed. This can discourage potential buyers from buying a condo unit.
According to The American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA):
Homes that have been professionally landscaped can fetch 15% to 20% more at the time of resale than homes with less attractive landscapes.
Curb appeal, or the attractiveness of a property’s exterior, is a valuable aspect of the real estate market.
The good news is, you can simplify Condo Landscaping Management with Neigbrs by Vinteum!
Maintaining beautiful and well-kept landscaping is essential for enhancing property value and community satisfaction. With Neigbrs by Vinteum, HOAs and Condo Associations can streamline maintenance requests, improve communication, and ensure landscaping stays in top shape.
📢 Ready to see it in action? Schedule a free demo today!
Condo Landscaping and Maintenance Best Practices with Expert Advice
A. Low Maintenance and Native Plants
Condo maintenance costs are high. It’s the largest part of a community association budget. There are tips and tricks that can make your landscaping maintenance less costly and time-consuming.
The first is to use native plants. Native plants are species that naturally grow in your region and therefore require less maintenance because they better withstand local weather conditions. They also need less watering and fertilization.
Secondly, avoid plants that require frequent cleaning. Such as trees that lose leaves seasonally, or that bear fruits or nuts. Keep in mind that sweeping is maintenance, too. So if it leaves or fruits fall on amenities such as swimming pools or tennis courts, it’s a lot more cleaning to do.
Even when choosing native plants, don’t forget to ask your landscaper or arborist about the required maintenance. Some native plants may require more nurturing. For example, many palm tree species are native to Florida, but they need to be fertilized 3 times a year. This is mainly needed to prevent lethal bronzing, a fast-spreading disease that can irreversibly affect your palm trees.
B. Sustainability & Smart Irrigation System
Climate change is prompting us to reconsider our daily actions, especially at the community level. Sustainability should be at the heart of any community association.
For condos, they can mean reducing water waste. Thanks to technology and innovation, landscaping companies have developed smart irrigation systems that reduce water consumption. These systems adjust watering based on the weather, soil conditions, and other factors.
C. Find the Right Landscaping Company
There are many landscaping companies out there. So, make sure to hire one that you trust and follow their advice. Ensure they are experts by doing background checks and checking online reviews. It can also be complicated to work with multiple service providers to cut costs, so you should choose a provider that offers all the services you may need. This is helpful, for example, during hurricane season. Looking for a company to do storm cleanup after it happens won’t guarantee you the correct market rate or good service. Knowing in advance who will do this service prevents bad decisions and situations.
Working with the same professionals over the long run increases trust and quality. Besides, it can also lead to discounted offers. Remember, you’re building a relationship here; the older it gets, the better it is. The same goes for landscaping. It gets better over time if it’s in good hands.
D. Condo Management App
Condo landscaping projects are continuous. So, even if a project is over, maintenance is still required. That’s why some landscapers offer 5-year contracts to make it easier. If you go for that, condo management software will help you manage landscaping projects easily and efficiently. Here’s how:
- Keep track of all the processes in one centralized place
- Store documents such as contracts, vectors, designs, the scope of work, etc.
- Communication with residents about landscape changes and maintenance
- Manage and route landscape maintenance requests from residents
- Make payments, manage and track maintenance budget
There are many features in a condo online portal that make your life easier. Its purpose is basically to automate tasks so you can cut down the amount of work. Its main benefit is that you can do everything in one centralized place. So instead of using 15 different tools, you only use one.
E. Less is more – Think simple
Sometimes, we always tend to overdo it. We know that board members have their community’s best interests at heart. However, sometimes, a few native plants and trees are enough to make residents happy. Investing in large landscaping projects, especially for a condo, can quickly be costly. This can leave residents frustrated about where their fees are being spent. Also, if it’s poorly managed, it can have the opposite effect, making your condo even less attractive than before. Celebrating simplicity is key here.
Smart Ideas That Will Make Your Condo Landscaping Stand Out
A. Rooftop Garden: A Piece of Heaven
Most condominiums have rooftops that are accessible. So why not turn this unique place into a greener, more welcoming space for your unit owners? You can get more shade and privacy while making the air cooler and less polluted, especially during the summertime. To inspire you, here are some Rooftop Garden projects in New York that New Eco Landscaping and Design have designed and implemented.
B. Community Garden: Engaging Residents
It’s no secret that many unit owners don’t have a garden. What could be better than providing a community garden that everyone can enjoy? Creating a community garden is a great activity for residents to get together, relax, and connect with their neighbors. It’s definitely a fun project for the community to participate in. Besides, according to some studies, gardening reduces stress, improves mood, and decreases symptoms of depression and anxiety.
C. Trees and Plants Can Create Privacy in a Condo
Most condominiums are located in cities. That means that having a garden is a luxury. But enjoying a green space with low privacy is not ideal. The good side is that if designed well trees and shrubs can help to get more privacy. Especially around amenities such as swimming pools. Privacy landscaping is the art of using plants and trees to create a sense of isolation from the surroundings. It’s the perfect way to hide from nosy neighbors or whoever is passing by.
D. Hardscaping and Softscaping: the perfect combo for condos
Did you know that landscaping has two main subcategories? They are called Hardscape and Softscape, and here are the differences between the two:
Hardscaping
Features non-living elements such as:
- Fountains
- Walls
- Fences
- Patios
- Concrete, wood, brick, stone
Softscaping
Features living elements such as:
- Plants
- Trees
- Grass
- Flowers
- Shrubs
Condominiums don’t always have much green space available. To get the best condo landscaping, playing with both techniques and blending them is the key.
E. Flowery Fences
Fences are meant to protect us and make us feel more secure. Typically, they are designed to be intimidating and to keep people out. Unlike traditional paling, plant-covered fences are more welcoming and offer greater privacy. This is a good example of Hardscaping mixed with Softscaping.
Getting Residents’ Input
When the board decides to undertake a condo landscaping project, it should inform its residents and seek their input.
That means you could send out an email with the project, estimated cost, time frame, and the benefits it will bring to the community. It’s also a good idea to get approval at a community meeting, or if you have enough interested residents, you could set up a landscaping committee to help manage and maintain the project.
By getting residents’ ideas and feedback, you are making them feel like they’re part of the project. This helps to engage interest and foster a sense of community. It isn’t just the board’s project, but everyone’s.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is condo landscaping really worth the investment?
First impressions are crucial. According to the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), professional landscaping can increase a property’s resale value by 15% to 20%. Beyond the financial aspect, it signals to potential buyers that the community is well-managed and cared for.
2. What is the difference between Hardscaping and Softscaping?
To create a balanced environment, condos should use both:
– Hardscaping: Includes non-living elements like fountains, fences, patios, and stone paths.
– Softscaping: Refers to living elements such as trees, grass, flowers, and shrubs.
3. How can we reduce landscaping maintenance costs?
The best way to save money is to use native plants. Since they are adapted to the local climate, they require less water and fertilizer and are more resilient. Additionally, avoiding trees that drop fruit, nuts, or excessive leaves reduces the labor required to clean amenities like pools and courts.
4. What are Smart Irrigation Systems?
These are technology-driven systems that help condos become more sustainable. They use sensors to adjust watering schedules based on weather conditions and soil moisture, significantly reducing water waste and lowering utility bills.
5. Should residents be involved in landscaping decisions?
Absolutely. Involving residents fosters a sense of community and transparency. Since landscaping projects are funded by resident fees, gathering their input through surveys or committees helps prevent frustration and ensures the final result aligns with the community’s needs.
6. How can I make landscaping easier?
Tools like Neigbrs by Vinteum simplify the process by:
– Centralizing contracts and design documents.
– Automating maintenance requests.
– Improving communication with residents regarding project timelines.
– Tracking the landscaping budget and payments in one place.
Wrapping Up Condo Landscaping
Condo landscaping plays a vital role in ensuring residents’ satisfaction. It also helps to maintain property values and attract new buyers. As you’ve seen, there are lots of ideas to choose from that can make your condo’s outdoor space stand out. Paired with good practices and a great landscaping partner, your community will always look its best. The cherry on top is having condo management software to help you track all of your projects.
