Common Landscaping Mistakes

Common Landscaping Mistakes and How to Avoid Them.

Common Landscaping Mistakes.

Common landscaping mistakes are not common-sense events. Landscaping is an art and a science. A well-planned outdoor space enhances property value, supports biodiversity, and provides long-term beauty with minimal maintenance. However, many homeowners and even some professionals make common landscape mistakes that can lead to wasted time, money, and effort. In this guide, we’ll explore these pitfalls and how to avoid them for a thriving, sustainable landscape.

1. Choosing the Wrong Plants

One of the most frequent mistakes in landscaping is selecting plants that are not suited for the local climate, soil, or ecosystem. Many popular introduced nursery big box store species plants require excessive watering, chemical fertilizers, or intensive maintenance to survive.

How to Avoid It:

• Opt for native plants that naturally thrive in your region.
• Research the sun, water, and soil requirements before planting.
• Group plants with similar needs together for easy care.

2. Underplanting or Spacing too far between Plants

It’s tempting to plant sparsely to save money. But undercrowding leads to competition from weeds that could have been displaced. Unless you’d like your new hobby to be “weeding,” opt to position plants in clusters of an average of 2 ft apart for perennials. Shrubs and trees need more breathing room than forbs, so plan commensurately.

3. Ignoring Soil Health.

Healthy soil is the foundation of a successful landscape. Many people plant directly into poor quality, mineral deficient or compacted soil without doing any soil remediation work.

How to avoid this problem:

• Top dress your garden bed with compost. Organic matter like compost and leaf mulch heals a thousand soil deficiency wounds.
• Avoid synthetic fertilizers straightaway. Instead rely on natural soil-building techniques.
• If you feel the need for fertilization later on, research compost tea production.

4. Using Too Much Mulch or the Wrong Kind.

Mulch can be helpful at first for moisture retention and weed suppression, but improper application can harm plants. It’s also never necessary. Compost is a better choice. The most common mulching mistake is creating “mulch volcanoes” around tree trunks, which suffocates roots and invites disease.

How to Avoid It:

• Apply mulch in a 2-3 inch layer, avoiding direct contact with stems and trunks.
• Use natural, undyed mulch like shredded leaves or wood chips.
• Avoid excessive mulching, which can trap moisture and cause root rot.

5. Neglecting Proper Watering Techniques.

Watering too much, too little, or at the wrong time can stress plants and lead to disease. Many landscapes suffer from over-irrigation, especially when sprinkler systems run on automatic timers.

How to Avoid It:

• Water deeply but less frequently to encourage strong root growth.
• Water early in the morning to reduce evaporation and fungal issues.
• Use rain barrels or drip irrigation to conserve water and support soil health.

6. Not Planning for Mature Plant Size (esp re: trees!)

Young trees always look so cute, but many species quickly outgrow their original placement. Certainly, this leads to overcrowding or costly removals. True sustainability is not limited to considering the carbon footprint and native provenance of plant material for a landscaping project. (Although both of these matters weigh heavy in relevance.) By and large, serious consideration to how a landscaping plan will mature over decades is necessary to consider the activity “sustainable.”

How to Avoid It:

• Research the mature height and spread of each tree and shrub before installing.
• Allow enough space between plants for future growth.
• Avoid placing large trees too close to buildings or power lines.

7. Common Landscaping Mistake: Over-Reliance on Lawn Grass.

Traditional turfgrass requires constant mowing, watering, and fertilizing to stay green. A lawn-heavy landscape is high-maintenance and ecologically inefficient.

How to Avoid It:

• Replace parts of the lawn with native ground covers, meadows, or islands of native perennial gardens.
• Reduce lawn size and opt for eco-friendly alternatives like Buffalo Grass or a compatible Sedge.
• Consider No-Mow Areas to encourage biodiversity and pollinator habitat.

8. Common Landscaping Mistakes: Ignoring Wildlife and Pollinators

Many landscapes lack biodiversity, offering little food or shelter for beneficial wildlife. Without doubt, using pesticides can harm pollinators like bees and butterflies. Additionally, sterilizing the landscape of “messiness” is inhospitable for the region’s wildlife. With this purpose in mind, consider the wildlife’s lifecycle requirements.

How to Avoid It:

• Plant native pollinator-friendly flowers that bloom from spring to fall.
• Provide habitat features like logs, brush piles, and water sources.
• Avoid pesticides and herbicides that harm beneficial insects and soil life.

9. Forgetting Seasonal Interest

Some landscapes look great in spring but become dull in fall and winter. Designing with year-round beauty in mind prevents a lifeless yard during colder months.

How to Avoid It:

• Include evergreens, ornamental grasses, and shrubs with winter interest.
• Choose trees with colorful fall foliage.
• Add native seed heads and berry-producing shrubs for winter wildlife support.

10. Not Maintaining Hardscape Features

Patios, walkways, and retaining walls require maintenance just like plants do. Weeds growing through cracks, shifting pavers, or rotting wood structures can diminish the landscape’s overall appeal.

How to Avoid It:

• Inspect hardscapes regularly for wear and tear.
• Keep pathways free of weeds and debris.
• Use permeable materials like gravel or pavers to allow water infiltration.

How to hire Jessecology for your organic landscaping transformation. (Avoid the common landscaping mistakes together!)

Avoid these common landscape mistakes to save time, money, and frustration. Subsequently create a thriving, sustainable, and low-maintenance outdoor space! By focusing on native plants, soil health, proper planning, and eco-friendly practices, we’ll develop a landscape for you that supports biodiversity and requires less upkeep over time.

You’re ready to transform your landscape into a sustainable haven- fill out the Start Your Project form today to get started!