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Did you know that a simple DIY home improvement task can change the quality of your life?  Perhaps it will enhance your senses, calm your mind, or complete a nagging job on your to-do list that you have not had a chance to complete.

Exterior yard improvement

Are the neighbours starting to question what the heck is going on in your yard with all the extra equipment or small vehicles that you own?  Maybe you are hearing about increased thefts in your area and you have been wondering about secure options to store your outdoor equipment and vehicles in a more secure environment. Mobile storage units are an effective way to improve the look of your yard by storing away light recreational vehicles , gardening equipment, or children’s toys.  By simply renting a mobile storage container for seasonal use or if you are looking for a secure permanent option then consider buying a used shipping container to secure your valuables on a permanent basis.

Peace of mind through curb appeal

A real estate agent in Abbotsford, Kristy Dusdal, offered a valuable simple DIY home improvement idea that adds curb appeal quickly. DIY landscaping efforts can quickly improve the look and feel of your property.  Hanging basket, planting flowers, or a simple DIY landscaping project with cedar hedge fencing can hide a broken fence or provide needed privacy from a neighbour.  Cedar hedging can effectively change your current view from something unpleasing to a serene ambiance and beautiful view to look at. Trees, shrubs, and flower basins provide a polished and appealing look to your property that all who come to visit can enjoy.

Preventative tasks can leave your feeling like your property is well cared for

The simple DIY task of clearing out your gutters and maintaining proper water flow away from your house will reduce the risks of water damage in your home and unsafe pooling of water around your foundation and roof. Repairing gutters on your roof will help to eliminate blocked waterways that can cause damage to your roof with pooling water in areas of your roof that are not meant to hold pools of water. This simple task will help to improve the health of your roof, improve your roof’s longevity and hopefully provide your with piece of mind protecting your property the best you can.

Repairing gutters allow water to move away from the foundation of your home and deter flooding in your basement or your homes foundation’s support. Leading water away from your home will help to reduce future water damage problems in your home. If you find cracked shingles on your roof while you are cleaning out your gutter, contact Landmark Roofing to learn more about the health of your roof.

View some simple cedar hedging ideas below that can really improve the appeal of your home.

A dead cedar can be caused by many things, one of which is root rot. Armillaria root rot has been found in many cedar trees and hedges. “Fans of white fungal mycelium can be found under the bark at the base of dead trees and in the roots. Black “strings” called rhizomorphs spread the fungus from one tree to another along the hedge.” There is no “cure” for Armillaria, and one by one your hedge can and will die if preventative measures are not taken. Once you spot this fungus you should immediately remove the diseased trees. This will help save the rest of the hedge and potentially save you money. Call us and we’ll help you with your root rotting problems! We’ll remove all the diseased ones and plant fresh, healthy cedars in their place!

As any dog owner knows, your garden and green spaces can take a lot of damage when you introduce your pet into the environment. Digging, chewing, running and going to the bathroom can do a number on your yard. You may notice your grass brown, yellows and dies from dogs urinating on it. The same problem can happen with your cedars. When your pooch lifts its leg on your trees, time after time, you will probably start to notice yellow, brown and black patches of dead branches.

Your dogs can also get in the pesky habit of chewing your branches. Urinating and excessive chewing can seriously damage your trees so keep a watchful eye on their health. Take preventative measures to keep your dog away from the trees. Dusting the base with hot pepper spice or setting up a mesh fence along the bottom can help deter your dog from causing trouble!

Unfortunately, there is a chance that your cedars may attract mice and other rodents, not unlike any other plants you have in your garden.

Rodents like to look for dry, covered places, things to chew and also things to eat, so your garden and trees can be attractive options for rodents to set up camp. If you haven’t seen the little fuzzy critters in person, a good thing to do would be to check your trees. If your trees have signs of chewing on them, then you might be in trouble. You’ll find the most chewing at the bottom of the tree near the base, but bark can be stripped off higher uptake in the branches as well. This can be a problem for your cedars as it can cause your branches to die and in worst case scenarios may kill your tree entirely. If you suspect you may have a rodent problem check your garden. Keep your outside spaces clean and don’t hang or scatter bird feed in or near your trees. Take the necessary steps to get rid of your problem, without damaging your trees or garden further.

You planted your cedars and for years they grew beautifully and kept your yard looking green, but all of a sudden they are beginning to die off and you don’t know why. If it’s not the weather, watering or fertilizer what else could it be? Bugs! Those pesky little creepy, crawlies can do more damage to your trees than you make think. Here are few that you should watch out for:

• *Cypress Tip Moth: Larvae tunnel into leaf scales on one and 2 year-old twigs in the spring. Leaves become yellow, then brown in late winter. White, spun cocoons can be found on leaf scales in early June. Western Red Cedar is not affected.
• *Mites: Overall yellowing or browning of foliage in summer may be due to desiccating winds and drought stress or to mites. A few mites are not usually a problem, but in hot, dry weather they can build up to damaging levels. A magnifying glass may be needed to see them. Apply a specific miticide for control.
• *Juniper Scale: Juniper scales attack juniper, arborvitae, cedar and cypress. Cones, twigs and needles are attacked. Heavy infestations deplete plant sap resulting in grey or yellow foliage, reduced growth over time and possible death of young trees. Black sooty mold often develops on honeydew. Scales are round to oval, white and 1.5 mm long. Direct controls against the newly-hatched crawlers in mid-June.
• *Root Weevil: Adult weevil feeding can girdle young twigs and turn foliage brown, similar to flagging. The weevils feed at night so are not usually seen. Notching of the stem will be evident below the flagged portion of the branch. Damage can occur from March to July. If there is a lot of damage, a sticky band around the trunk will prevent adult feeding. Larvae may feed on roots but do not generally damage trees once past the seedling stage.

*information from gov.bc.ca

We know cedars are a great privacy keeper and yard separator, but what if you are living in an apartment or complex with shared balconies and limited outdoor living space? You don’t have a yard but want to keep your space green!

Potted plants add colour and beauty and cedars add green and privacy! You’re probably not able to plant your cedars in the ground so go for the next best option.. boxed cedars. They are easy to make, maintain and are cost efficient. You can make them as big or small as you like and can take them with you, should you ever move. If you are planning on putting in a cedar box make sure you are allowed. Check with your strata council or property management to make sure you are not violating any rules in your complex.

As mentioned in our previous blog “Where Should I Plant My Cedars?” cedars can be planted virtually anywhere. Yes, you can plant your cedars against your house but you need to keep a few things in mind:

• Will they get enough light and water?
• Will the roots have room to grow without your house’s foundation obstructing their growth?
• Will you be able to keep them well groomed with regular trimming?
• Will they obstruct any windows or doors once they are fully grown?

If you are planting them solely for aesthetics purposes consider building or buying boxed/potted cedars. You’ll get the look you want without the hassle or worry of planting them in the ground next to your house.

There is no right or wrong place to plant your cedars as hedges if you own a home in Vancouver. For the most part, people use them as an all natural, or green, alternative to a fence or brick wall. Cedar hedging is a great and less expensive way to get instant privacy so it’s easy to see why so many people have them installed on their Vancouver properties.

When you are planting cedar hedges with the intention of using them for privacy it’s a good idea to let your neighbours know out of courtesy, especially if the only barrier between your yard and theirs are the cedars. Otherwise, they will have to live with them as well. Also make sure you know exactly where your property ends and theirs starts . . .  the last thing you want is a complaint about planting over your property line (while they were away). Also keeping in mind city right of ways and other Fraser Valley or Vancouver bylaws restricting where you can plant and how high.

Cedars also look great as a “stand alone” (feature) tree or as part of a garden (just make sure the greenery you plant around your cedar gets sufficient light). Make sure you are planting the cedars somewhere where they also will get enough sunlight as well as a sufficient amount of natural rainwater.

If you have more questions about installing cedar hedges on your Vancouver home property, either email us or call Brandon at 778.549.1676 to get your questions answered.

If you are desperate for privacy, cedar hedging can be a great and inexpensive way to create it while keeping your yard looking fresh and green!

Cedar trees can be bought in various sizes from very young, short trees, to tall, established ones. If you seek instant privacy make sure you order older and established trees that have grown tall and wide enough to create the barrier you desire. Your cedars will grow 9-12 inches per year, so keep in mind the amount of space you will need between each planted cedar to allow them proper room to grow.