Hello, green thumbs of Iowa! 🌿🌷 Spring is just around the corner, and it’s the perfect time to spruce up your yard and boost your home’s curb appeal. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a DIY newbie, these 20 landscaping projects are sure to make your home the envy of the neighborhood. Let’s dig in!

#1 – Plant Perennial Flowers

Perennials like coneflowers, black-eyed Susans, and hostas are perfect for Iowa’s climate. They come back year after year, providing long-lasting beauty with minimal effort.

#2 – Create a Flower Bed Border

Define your flower beds with a crisp border. Use materials like bricks, stones, or even recycled plastic edging to give your garden a polished look.

#3 – Install a Rain Garden

Rain gardens help manage stormwater runoff and add a beautiful, eco-friendly feature to your yard. Choose native plants that thrive in wet conditions.

#4 – Build Raised Garden Beds

Raised beds are great for growing vegetables, herbs, and flowers. They improve drainage, reduce weeds, and make gardening more accessible.

#5 – Add Mulch

Fresh mulch not only looks great but also helps retain moisture and suppress weeds. Choose organic mulch like wood chips or straw for the best results.

#6 – Plant a Tree

Trees add shade, beauty, and value to your property. Choose a native species like oak or maple that will thrive in Iowa’s climate.

#7 – Install Solar Path Lights

Light up your walkways with solar-powered path lights. They’re easy to install and add a charming glow to your yard at night.

#8 – Prune Shrubs and Trees

Trim back overgrown shrubs and trees to keep them healthy and looking their best. Remove any dead or damaged branches.

#9 – Create a Rock Garden

Rock gardens are low-maintenance and add a unique, natural element to your landscape. Use a mix of rocks and drought-tolerant plants like sedum.

#10 – Build a Compost Bin

Composting is a great way to recycle yard waste and kitchen scraps into nutrient-rich soil for your garden. Build a simple bin using wood pallets or wire mesh.

#11 – Install a Drip Irrigation System

Drip irrigation systems are efficient and easy to install. They deliver water directly to the roots of your plants, reducing waste and promoting healthy growth.

#12 – Plant a Hedge

Hedges provide privacy, wind protection, and a beautiful green backdrop for your garden. Choose fast-growing species like privet or boxwood.

#13 – Create a Butterfly Garden

Attract butterflies to your yard by planting nectar-rich flowers like milkweed, coneflowers, and asters. Add a shallow water dish for them to drink from.

#14 – Build a Garden Path

A well-defined garden path adds structure and accessibility to your yard. Use materials like gravel, stepping stones, or wood chips.

#15 – Install a Bird Bath

Bird baths attract birds to your garden, adding life and movement. Choose a shallow, easy-to-clean design and place it in a quiet, sheltered spot.

#16 – Plant Ground Cover

Ground covers like creeping thyme or ajuga fill in bare spots and help prevent weeds. They’re low-maintenance and add a lush, green carpet to your garden.

#17 – Create a Vertical Garden

Maximize your space with a vertical garden. Use wall-mounted planters, trellises, or hanging baskets to grow flowers, herbs, or even vegetables.

#18 – Add Window Boxes

Window boxes add charm and color to your home’s exterior. Plant a mix of trailing and upright plants for a full, vibrant look.

#19 – Install a Water Feature

A small pond, fountain, or waterfall adds a soothing element to your garden. Choose a design that fits your space and budget.

#20 – Refresh Your Lawn

Give your lawn a boost by reseeding bare spots, aerating compacted soil, and applying a spring fertilizer. A healthy, green lawn is the foundation of great curb appeal.

There you have it—20 DIY landscaping projects to transform your yard this spring. Grab your gardening gloves and get started! Your home will look fantastic, and you’ll enjoy the fruits of your labor all season long. Happy gardening! 🌸🌿

Got more questions or need more tips? Reach out, and let’s make your home the best-looking one on the block!

Welcome to the Hawkeye State, where the winters are beyond cold, and the summers are more than warm. While Iowa’s weather can be unpredictable, one thing you can count on is the need for efficient energy usage in your home. Whether you’re looking to save money on utility bills or reduce your carbon footprint, making your home more energy-efficient is a win-win. In this article, we’ll explore practical tips and strategies to help Iowa homeowners power up their energy efficiency game.

1. Weatherproofing:

   Iowa’s climate can be harsh, with cold winters and hot summers. Weatherproofing your home is essential to keep the elements out and maintain a comfortable indoor temperature year-round. Start by sealing air leaks around windows, doors, and electrical outlets with caulking or weatherstripping. Consider adding insulation to your attic, walls, and floors to improve thermal efficiency and reduce heat loss in the winter and heat gain in the summer.

   

2. Efficient Heating and Cooling:

   Heating and cooling account for a significant portion of energy usage in Iowa homes. To maximize efficiency, invest in a programmable thermostat that allows you to adjust the temperature based on your schedule. Schedule regular maintenance for your HVAC system to ensure it’s running smoothly and efficiently. Consider upgrading to a high-efficiency furnace or air conditioner if your current system is outdated.

   

3. Energy-Efficient Appliances:

   Appliances such as refrigerators, dishwashers, washing machines, and dryers consume a lot of energy. When shopping for new appliances, look for models with the ENERGY STAR® label, which indicates they meet strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ENERGY STAR® appliances use up to 50% less energy than standard models, saving you money on utility bills while reducing your environmental impact.

   

4. Energy-Efficient Lighting:

   Lighting accounts for a significant portion of electricity usage in homes. Switching to energy-efficient lighting options such as LED bulbs can significantly reduce energy consumption and lower electricity bills. LED bulbs use up to 75% less energy and last up to 25 times longer than traditional incandescent bulbs. Additionally, consider installing motion sensors or timers to turn off lights when not in use automatically.

   

5. Renewable Energy:

   Harnessing renewable energy sources such as solar power is a sustainable way to reduce your reliance on fossil fuels and lower your carbon footprint. Consider installing solar panels on your roof to generate clean, renewable energy for your home. In addition to reducing your electricity bills, solar panels can also increase the value of your property and qualify you for tax incentives and rebates.

By implementing these energy-efficient strategies, Iowa homeowners can power up their homes while saving money and reducing their environmental impact. From weatherproofing and efficient heating and cooling to upgrading appliances and harnessing renewable energy, there are plenty of ways to make your home more energy efficient in the Hawkeye State.

At Twenty40 Real Estate + Development, we’ve got energy efficient homes on lock from efficient floor plans and designs to SMART solar-ready and DEO zero-energy ready homes. If you’ve got questions about your current home or you’re ready for an upgrade, we’re here to help!

The renewal energy industry predicted that by 2050, solar will become the #1 source of energy. Despite high installation costs, personnel shortages, supply-chain issues, and import tariff complexities, the solar industry is booming. While the future of solar is bright, getting there by providing education and support to homeowners is extremely important. Today, when you go through the home building process and are interested in solar, you are often on your own. From battles over net metering to the cost of installation. Combined with every other aspect of the home building process, it’s not surprising that numerous homeowners abandon their dream of a solar home.

In the typical home installation, soft expenses currently account for between 55 and 60 per cent of the total cost of installation. This includes design, overhead for installers, finance, contracts, inspection, permits, and connectivity. However, due to innovations in software industry, startups are making solar systems not only better but also more accessible.

Rookwood Estates located in Marion, Iowa is a Twenty40 residential development offering solar ready homes to help homeowners reach their goal of a solar powered home. Being solar ready means that the home is wired so that solar panels can be installed in the future when the buyers are ready. Outside of power outages, a solar setup offers significant savings on a home’s electricity. These savings can pay for itself in as little as seven years. It is also possible, if expensive, to power a home entirely using solar energy. Therefore, the real advantage of solar ready homes is flexibility.

Right now, the cost-effectiveness of a solar system depends on the location, available government programs and local utility programs. Depending on these factors, it may or may not be cost-effective for a homeowner to set up a solar system. However, a solar ready home can receive a solar system when the time is right for the homeowner. This allows the homeowner to wait until the technology has improved or for tax incentives and programs that help offset the costs. Solar ready homes give owners the flexibility to install a solar power system when it makes sense for them.

What does building a house in the future look like? Zero Energy Ready Homes and Zero Net Energy Homes are already here. They are designed to meet high energy efficiency standards and like our solar ready homes, are wired so that solar panels can be easily installed in the future, allowing them to become zero net energy homes when the buyers are ready.

So, the future is bright for solar. If you thought owning a solar ready home was out of reach, contact our sales team and Twenty40 Real Estate today. We’d love to make that dream a reality.