Why Plant Something?

If you knew a simple action could not only save you money, but could increase the value of your home, cut your energy bills, make you feel better, clean up the air and even bring you and your neighbors closer together . . . you’d do that, right?

Of course you would. But maybe you didn’t know the simple act of planting something could do that. It can.

Here are some facts and benefits of planting that might surprise you:

• Adding a beautiful landscape to your home can boost its value by as much as 15 percent, and even accelerate a sale by five to six weeks, according to the American Nursery and Landscape Association.
• Three properly placed trees on your property can reduce your annual heating and cooling costs by as much as $250, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. That’s because they provide natural shade that reduce the need for air conditioning.
• Planting and enjoying greenery have been proven to lower your blood pressure and heart rate.
• Neighborhood common areas are used more by residents when they’re well landscaped, according to researchers at the University of Illinois. So a tree here and a shrub there just might lead to a budding friendship or two.
• One tree can remove 26 pounds of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere on an annual basis, according to the Virginia Cooperative Extension. How much is that? It’s the equivalent of 11,000 miles of car emissions.
• Vegetation helps to reduce storm water runoff, while decreasing pollutants and suspended solids in surface water runoff. It also reduces sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, carbon monoxide and particulate matter in the air. Those are some hard-working plants!

Ready to get started?

Find a local garden center or landscape professional and start planting something today!