Condo Landscaping is often overlooked. The truth is that condos don’t always have a lot of space physically, and in their budget, for landscaping projects. Besides, condo boards sometimes see more value in indoor amenities than outdoor landscaping. We are here to challenge that!

We’ve included best practices that will show you how to 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!

1. 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. 

2. 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. They require less maintenance because they survive the local weather conditions better. They also need less watering and fertilization. 

Secondly, avoid plants that require a lot of cleaning. Such as trees that lose leaves seasonally, or that bear fruits or nuts. Keep in mind that sweeping is maintenance too. If 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 what maintenance is required. Some native plants may require more nurturing. For example, a lot of palm tree species are native to Florida but, they need to be fertilized 3 times a year. This is mainly needed to avoid lethal bronzing, a fast-spreading disease that can affect your palm trees irreversibly.

b. Sustainability & Smart Irrigation System

Climate change is making us reconsider our daily actions, especially at a 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 come up with 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. You should choose a provider that offers all services you may need. This is helpful during hurricane season, for example. Looking for a company to do a storm cleanup after it happened won’t guarantee you the correct market rate and good services. Knowing in advance who will do this service prevents bad decisions and situations. 

Once you find the right partner, if the service is good, then stick with it. 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 makes 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

As people, 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 lead to residents feeling frustrated about where their fees are being spent. Also, if it’s not well-managed it can have the opposite effect and make your condo even less attractive than before. Celebrating simplicity is key here.

3. 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 and more welcoming place for your unit owners? You can get more shade and privacy. It also makes the air cooler and less polluted, especially during summertime. For you to feel inspired. 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 a lot of 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 and relax. It gives the chance to connect with 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 surrounding. It’s the perfect way to hide from nosy neighbors or whoever is passing by.

f. 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, fences that are covered with plants and flowers are more welcoming and provide more privacy. This is a good example of hardscaping mixed with softscaping. 

h. Hardscaping and Softscaping: the perfect combo for condos

Did you know that landscaping has two main subcategories? These two subcategories are hardscape and softscape. So what’s the difference 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 a lot of green space at their disposal. To get the best condo landscaping, playing with both techniques and blending them is the key. 

4. Getting Residents’ Input

When the board chooses to do a condo landscaping project, they should inform their residents and get 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’re including people, and 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.

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, nothing can go wrong. The cherry on top is having condo management software to help you track all of your projects.