Page 25 - Green Builder Magazine Nov-Dec 2017 Issue

CREDIT:FARMSCAPE

CREDIT: PHIPPS CONSERVATORY Standouts. Basket-like wattle beds, made from all-organic compounds, allow for easy management of various urban gardens within the
overall residential landscape.
on the market than a rundown, tired-looking property.
their minds, bodies and hearts. The neighbors pop over to help out,
A garden can be a dated, maintenance-heavy space that’s stressful,
decide they’d also like an edible garden and the seed is planted.
As a result, it’s not uncommon for the maintenance farmers
toxic and expensive to maintain. Or, it can be easily transformed into
to witness neighbors chatting away while harvesting the beds
beds. Homeowners will scoot friends and family right through the
together. This also helps urbanites learn more about who lives Narnia by using native plants, fruit trees and a couple of vegetable
on their street, instead of the interaction being a quick wave and front door and into the garden, where they’ll then actively pump
hello every few days. energy back into their bodies knowing that every cucumber growing
There’s one more neighborhood bonus: The National Association is adding value to their nest egg. GB
of Realtors HouseLogic magazine notes that excellent landscaping
can boost property values by up to 28 percent. A typical large oak can Lara Hermanson is co-founder and principal at Farmscape
also add $410 to a home’s property value, according to the National (http://farmscapegardens.com), the nation’s largest urban-farming
Tree Benefit calculator. Silver maples can increase home values by company. Farmscape has worked on more than 700 urban farming
$2,500, according to HouseLogic. It’s all under the same rationale projects, including agri-hoods, individual homes and corporate clients
that a better-maintained home will sell faster and at a higher price such as Levi’s Stadium, AT&T Park and Oracle.

www.greenbuildermedia.com November/December 2017 GREEN BUILDER 23

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