Common Landscaping Mistakes to Avoid

Landscaping has many nuances that make it difficult for folks who don’t work in the industry. When planning your landscape, there are many factors to consider, which can make the planning overwhelming. To help you out, here’s a breakdown of three common landscaping mistakes homeowners make and how to avoid them. Improper Plant Selection in Your Landscaping Improper plant selection is common because homeowners often plan landscapes without considering whether the plants will do well in their yards. It’s crucial to choose plants that are suited to your climate, soil type, and specific garden conditions, such as the amount of sunlight and water availability. When you choose plants that don’t align with these considerations, they’re more likely to struggle and succumb to stressors, requiring more water, fertilizer, and care. This results in poor plant health, increased maintenance costs, inefficiency, and disappointment. Before finalizing your plant choice, make sure to do research and select plants that thrive in your local climate and soil conditions. Choosing native plants should be a priority, as they are typically well-adapted to the environment and require less maintenance and water. It’s important to consider each plant's sunlight and water needs and spacing requirements. How big a plant gets a maturity, how deep its root systems are, and how much space it needs from other plants is crucial for optimal growth. Neglecting Soil Preparation in Your Landscaping Another common mistake is planting directly into poor or compacted soil without preparation or amends. While you want to ensure your soil type is right for your plants, you may have poor soil in general. This can impede plant growth, reduce water infiltration, and cut off the nutrient supply to your plants. This makes weak, unhealthy plants more susceptible to stressors like pests and disease. It is imperative to test your soil before planting anything. As soon as you determine its composition and nutrient levels, you can amend it with compost to improve its structure, fertility, and drainage. Based on your soil test results, you may also reconsider the plants you’ve chosen. Proper soil preparation provides a strong foundation for healthy plant growth. In addition to composting, you may find you require other preparation, such as aeration, overseeding, mulching, leveling, topsoil application, or drainage system installation. Typically, your yard is made up of either sandy, silty, or clay soil, and each type has its own requirements regarding soil preparation for optimal health. Overlooking Landscaping Maintenance Requirements Many homeowners get excited at the idea of having a beautiful landscape and commit to landscaping aspects that require more maintenance than they’d prefer to provide. For some people, landscaping is a fun way to be outside and enjoy nature, but for most, it’s a hassle that stands in the way of having a long-lasting, beautiful property. Only commit to as much property maintenance as you’re willing to do. When not properly cared for, high-maintenance landscaping easily becomes overgrown, weedy, and unattractive. This can become overwhelming and discourage regular upkeep, resulting in a highly neglected landscape. Plus, it leads to poor plant health for the entire landscape. Plan your landscape with maintenance in mind–not the maintenance you’re willing to do today but the maintenance you’ll be willing to do in a year. Choose plants and design features that fit your lifestyle and availability for garden care. Methods like mulching, drip irrigation, and plant grouping reduce weeds, water more efficiently, and keep similar care needs in one spot. Regular maintenance tasks keep your landscape looking its best. Conclusion Overall, landscaping is meant to be more exciting than overwhelming or difficult. A professional can help you determine which plants and landscaping methods will work best for your landscape and lifestyle conditions. Now that you know the three most common landscaping mistakes, you can plan your landscape accordingly.