Owning Rental Properties does not have to be a headache. You can enjoy your investment properties more fully when you choose low-maintenance landscaping options that will help you save time and money each month.
 
The common areas or yards at your properties do not have to require high maintenance costs or become unkempt between visits if you simply opt for landscaping design that will keep your properties looking pristine while helping you save money.
 
 
Here are 6 Low-Maintenance Ideas:
 

1. Avoid tropical plants and other non-native plant species.

A plant that is not native to the area which your rental property is located will require more water, more soil additives, and more maintenance to keep them looking their best. You can save water and lower your yard’s maintenance requirements by species that have adapted well to the local environment and seasonal changes. To find some native plants that are likely to thrive on your property, you can visit a local garden center or enlist the assistance of a local landscape designer.
 

2. Use ground covers that do not require water and will keep weeds down.

The more area you cover with gravel, mulch, bark or wood chips or weed mat, the more money you can save on water and maintenance. As an added benefit, ground covers help maintain soil moisture and reduce weed growth, while taking the place of other ground covers that require more care and water, such as natural grass or low-growing plants. These low-maintenance ground covers  requires some occasional raking or adding new layers to keep them looking their best.
 

3. Create more patio space.

Covered patios are the perfect place for family barbecues or evening get-togethers.Patio areas are also ideal for sunbathing or for storing equipment for water or mountain sports.Concrete walkways may be cheaper to install initially, but they tend to crack and require more maintenance over their lifetime than lower-maintenance options, like pavers.Pavers also have a far more elegant look that will immediately give your rental property an aesthetic boost that is sure to appeal to potential renters.
 

4. Avoid or limit use of water features in your landscape design.

Water features, such as fountains or waterfalls cascading over rocks, are a lovely addition to any landscape design; however, they generally require more maintenance than you will likely want to provide for a property that is not your primary residence. A water feature that runs constantly can significantly increase your water bill, even if you choose an option that recycles the water.You will also need to consider the cost of regular cleaning, as well as pump maintenance and repair.
 

5. Add some Decking

Decking has a great impact that will immediately give your rental property an awesome look that will be surely to appeal to potential renters. Also, when it comes to decking make sure to use a Composite Decking as you don’t have to stain it every year which helps you save more.
 
 

6. Replace your natural grass lawn with lush, vibrant artificial turf.

Opting for synthetic grass over natural grass is one of the top money-saving choices you can make when designing your landscape.Fake grass requires minimal maintenance that can easily be accomplished on your own or that can be outsourced to a local landscaping company that specializes in caring for artificial turf.With just a little cleaning and an occasional brushing, your synthetic grass lawn will always be ready for your family to enjoy as soon as you arrive at your vacation home.
 

With all the tips we have shared, we hope that it helped you about Landscaping your Rental Property.

If you need a quote for some low maintenance works done at your property, it’s time to call Nice Backyard on 03 9402 6483 or visit www.nicebackyard.com. If you plan to do it on your own and save some more, please don’t worry we just love to guide you through your project.

NOTE:
Before installing the turf, you’ll need a base consisting of 2 – 3 inches of compacted and level decomposed granite or a quarter of minus road base. You will be also needing a typical Infill to help the grass blades to stand up. You will also need a turf rake / Power broom to brush the infill down into the turf.
You need to plan it all out on paper. Draw up a simple sketch of the area to be covered and measure it out. (The turf can be cut to length, so determine the best layout using your sketch to keep waste to a minimum).
Move it to an area that has an enough room to it out, preferably in the sun. (It needs to be warmed up and expand before you install it.)
REMEMBER:

• You also need to trim the ends of each piece where they will be seamed together in a way that mimics the stitching pattern on the back of the material
• When moving the turf to the job area roll them up and carry them to the site rather than dragging them. Dragging can damage the turf and lead to problems down the line.

 
STEPS:

1. Roll your sections out per your plan and line up your seams.
2. Once everything is in place you can rough cut the excess turf around the edges. (Leave about 4 inches from where you’ll make your final cut, which will happen after you’ve completed your seams.
3. Fold back one side of the turf and slip your seam tape underneath the opposite side.

• Align the tape so that it divides the seam as evenly as possible.
• Mark a line down the center. (This will help guide your application, preventing the glue from being forced up through the seam and into the blades.
• Fold back both sides of the turf so that the tape is fully exposed.

4. Using an S pattern, apply the glue down one side of your marked line keeping the glue about the quarter of an inch from the seam.

• Do the same for the opposite side.

5. To activate the glue, you will need to mist it with water using the spray bottle. Just enough dampen it will do. (Applying too much water can limit the effectiveness of the glue)

• The Glue will set within 15 minutes after misting, so you want to join the two sides immediately.
• Start at one end and carefully fold the two sides together. (Try to keep the blades from being folded under or caught in between the seam.)
• Once both sides have been secured to the seam tape apply pressure to the seam with your feet or use a weighted roller commonly used in vinyl flooring installation.

6. Once the seam is complete, you can make your final cuts around the perimeter. (Use the quality utility knife and replace the blades often)

• Before you make cuts around the corners make structurally cuts in the fabric from the backside. (Doing it will make it easier to make the final precision cut, especially when you’re cutting to a curb, pavers, or other surface.)

7. After finishing all your final cuts, you’ll need to nail down the perimeter edge of the turf using the 6-inch steel nails.

• When you part the blades, you’ll see gaps in the pattern. This is where you place the nail. (You can also use another nail to help you spread the blades apart and prevent them from getting caught under the nail head.)

8. Apply your infill. Using a drop spreader will help distribute the materials evenly.

• Once your infill is down brush it in using a power broom. (Continue to brush it in until you can no longer see the infill on top of the turf)

9. And the final step is applying water to the entire turf area, so the infill settles down in between the blades.

AND YOU HAVE YOUR SYNTHETIC GRASS ?

Please click this link to see our Synthetic Grass Products: https://nicebackyard.com/nice/product-category/synthetic-grass/

Most people who have backyard lawns wants to upgrade their place specially when Summer Days are coming. Lots of people are wondering and asking what if they install a backyard pool? Is it going to be worth it? While this decision seems refreshingly simple, adding an attractive nuisance to your yard could be costlier than you think.
 
The perks of owning a swimming pool are readily apparent. With your own pool, you can take a relaxing dip whenever you want, use swimming as your daily exercise to keep in shape, host amazing pool and summer parties and so much more. There are many downsides to owning a pool, with cost and ongoing maintenance being chief among them.
 
Here are some ideas that you might need to decide if having a pool is worth it:

1. Total cost of Ownership

• You will be starting the cost of pool itself, which is dependent on the style and features you want. Then that’s the time you consider sorting the financing you will need and how much it adds to your outlay. You might also need Synthetic Grass around the pool to make it look nicer, Bamboo Panels for your fence for privacy and decoration, a Garden shed to hide the pool motor and other equipment’s. And finally, the ongoing cost (in both time and money) of maintaining the pool

2. How pool-friendly is the weather in your area?

• Unless if you are contemplating an indoor pool, the next key piece of information is the number of days you can use a pool based on the climate of your area. Of course, you don’t want to go swimming on cold days and your pool might just turned into a giant block of ice therefore wasting the money that you put into installing the pool.

3. How much value would you get out of a pool?

• Quantifying the benefits, you and your family would get from a pool is practically impossible, but it’s important to think about nonetheless. Consider how many people would use the pool, how often they would likely use it, of course you need to be realistic about and what the benefits are to everyone.

4. What if things change?

• A lot can change over the life of a pool. The kids will grow older, becoming progressively less interested in doing cannonballs into the pool, and ultimately moving out. While you can’t know the future, think about the likelihood that a change in circumstances could impact the value you get from owning a pool.

 
But if you still want and insist of having a Backyard pool, here are some tips in Keeping your Backyard Pool Safe:
 

• Teach kids basic water safety
• Keep children away from pool drains, pipes and other openings to avoid entrapments
• Always have a portable telephone close by when you or your family are using a pool or spa
• Share safety instructions with family, friends and neighbors
• Post safety numbers around pool area where they can be seen

 
Owning a pool can easily provide a lifetime memory and being a prepared pool owner can go a long way towards preventing a tragedy. That’s why its highly recommended that you need to set up your pool and backyard properly for safety as well as having a well-structured personal insurance plan in place. And the decision of having a backyard pool being worth it will be and always up to you. With this ideas and tips hope you will learn a lot whether having a pool is worth it or not, and at Nice Backyard we sell various products that go great along with pool including Synthetic Grass, Bamboo Panels, Garden Sheds and much more.