The 10 Most Common Landscaping and Garden Mistakes Homeowners Make

Starting a garden in your home’s backyard is one of the best ways to make your home’s exterior look unique, charming, and sustainable. Not everyone has the greenest of thumbs, but that doesn’t mean you can’t or shouldn’t landscape at all.

An excellent way to help your garden thrive is by learning from some of the most common gardening mistakes. If you’re reading this with a yard full of struggling plants or a garden that looks nothing like what you envisioned, you’re definitely not alone!

Common Garden Mistakes

The good news? Most landscaping mistakes are totally fixable, and even better, they’re completely avoidable once you know what to watch out for.

I’m going to share the most common pitfalls that trip up homeowners, along with some friendly advice on how to sidestep these issues and create the beautiful outdoor space you’re dreaming of.

So grab your gardening gloves (or your coffee mug), and let’s dive into turning those “oops” moments into “aha!” moments!

1. Overwatering and Underwatering

It can often be confusing to tell when a plant needs water or doesn’t. All plants have different preferences for the amount of water they receive, making it easy to overwater or underwater them.

Incorrect watering schedules are probably the most common garden mistakes. The most important thing is to pay attention to your watering schedule; aim to water around the same time each day.

For plants susceptible to afternoon sun leaf scorch, try watering after the worst of the sunlight has passed. Ensure you know which plants require more water and which prefer to dry out slightly.

Symptoms of both over and underwatering can be similar, such as wilted leaves. If you notice these signs, be sure to research the plant in question and ensure you’re not making watering mistakes.

2. Leaving Plants Vulnerable in Winter

Many people believe that they don’t need to upkeep their landscaping in the winter; they assume all plants go dormant and there’s no need to care for them.

While it’s true that many trees and plants go dormant during the winter, some plants are sensitive to cold and can experience stunted growth or even die if left to the winter elements.

Make sure you’re aware of the sensitivities of the plants you’re caring for in your garden. Ensure they’re protected during the winter if they’re sensitive to cold.

Thermal blankets can help plants maintain a warmer temperature during freezing nights. Greenhouses can also make excellent shelters during colder weather for smaller plants.

Be sure to keep your flowerbeds, trees, and leaves clear of any snow buildup, as the weight and temperature can quickly kill plants. You can also hire landscapers to help you with these tasks.

I found snow removal near me via local landscapers to protect plants all winter long.

3. Ignoring Your Home’s Climate

Plants prefer a specific climate, and not all of them will thrive in your garden. If you order plants online, you may be enticed by beautiful foliage or flowers, but find that they won’t survive long in your harsh summers or chilly winters.

Even if a plant doesn’t die, it may lose vibrancy or fullness when it’s in an inadequate climate.

• Research your home’s specific climate zone and understand which plants will thrive there.
• Understand each plant’s specific needs and place it in an optimal location where it can thrive under these conditions.
• If you don’t have partial sun in your backyard, you can use shade canopies or small umbrellas to help.
• Native plants in your area will give you the best chance of full, beautiful plant life.

4. An Incoherent Landscaping Plan

It’s easy to see a beautiful plant and choose it for your backyard without considering where it will be placed or how it will fit in with the rest of your landscaping. Many homeowners fill their yards without a cohesive plan or theme.

While this approach may be suitable for growing an informal garden, it may not feel organized or cohesive. Plants may end up overcrowded in the soil, leading to the stunting or death of one or more plants.

You may purchase small trees that end up overwhelming a space. Try to plan your landscaping and flowerbeds a little more proactively.

Dedicate certain flowerbeds for certain plants, and research the potential size of new additions to ensure they have room to thrive without overcrowding. You can avoid expensive renovations or removals when you have a formal plan in place.

Before you go plant shopping, take some time to plan. Even a rough sketch of your backyard with notes about sun conditions and desired plant types will help you make better choices.

And here’s a pro tip: take photos of the areas you want to plant so you can reference them while you’re shopping!

5. Poor Drainage

It is extremely important to pay attention to how water acts in your backyard and around your home. Inadequate drainage can lead to consistently muddy conditions that are unfriendly to both gardeners and gardens, as well as your home’s structure.

Poor drainage can also cause water to pool, leading to puddles that can drown plants or rot their roots. Make sure drainage is incorporated into your landscaping plan.

French drains, permeable pavers, sloping flower beds, and gravel paths are just a few stylish examples of drainage solutions that work excellently in any backyard.

6. Neglecting Maintenance

If your garden includes sprawling vines, large trees, or shapely hedges, you’ll need to stay on top of their care. Hedges won’t keep that shape without regular care and pruning.

Plants, especially those in containers, require regular applications of fertilizer. Waiting for the rain doesn’t always provide enough water for all plants.

Many homeowners tend to keep yard maintenance as a lower priority, which can lead to plant death or an overgrown appearance that limits the backyard’s usability. Make sure you take time each week to water your plants.

Keep track of your fertilizing schedule and regularly prune or trim plants and trees as needed to maintain their health and appearance. But always be honest about how much time you actually want to spend on garden maintenance, and choose plants and designs accordingly.

There are tons of gorgeous, low-maintenance options that can give you a beautiful backyard without requiring a part-time job’s worth of upkeep.

7. The “Tiny Plant, Big Dreams” Problem

Oh my goodness, this one gets everyone! You buy this adorable little shrub that’s maybe two feet tall and plant it right next to your house because it looks so cute and proportional.

Fast forward five years, and that “little” shrub is now blocking your windows and taking over your foundation plantings.

Always, always check the mature size of plants before you buy them! That innocent-looking evergreen might grow to be 15 feet tall and 10 feet wide. That cute little tree could become a giant that drops leaves all over your pool or grows into your power lines.

When you’re planning plant placement, imagine (or better yet, sketch out) how things will look at their full mature size. It might seem like you’re leaving too much space initially, but your future self will thank you for thinking ahead.

8. Terrible Timing for Planting and Projects

Timing really is everything in gardening! Planting tender annuals before the last frost date, starting major landscape projects right before you go on vacation, or planting new trees in the heat of summer can set you up for failure before you even begin.

Each region has optimal planting times for different types of plants, and these guidelines exist for good reasons. Spring and fall are generally the best times for most planting projects because plants have time to establish before dealing with extreme weather.

Do a little research on the best timing for your area and type of plants. Your local extension office or garden center can be a great resource for this kind of regional information.

9. The “More is More” Approach

When you’re excited about creating a beautiful landscape, it’s tempting to want to do everything at once. Multiple flower beds, a vegetable garden, new trees, a water feature – why not do it all?

The problem with this approach is that it’s overwhelming, expensive, and often leads to a bunch of half-finished projects. Plus, large-scale changes all at once can be jarring and don’t give you time to see how different elements work together.

Start with one area or project and do it really well. Live with it for a season, see how you like it, then expand from there. This approach is easier on your budget, your schedule, and your stress levels!

10. Ignoring Mature Landscape Needs

Ignoring Mature Landscape Needs: Established landscapes require different care than new plantings. However, many homeowners fail to adapt their approach as their gardens mature, according to insights from HML Landscape Design.

Overgrown shrubs that are blocking windows, trees that need pruning, or perennial beds that need dividing are all common issues in mature landscapes.

Don’t be afraid to edit your landscape as it grows! Removing plants that have outgrown their space, dividing overgrown perennials, or pruning shrubs to maintain their shape are all normal parts of garden maintenance.

Avoid These Garden Mistakes Today!

Gardens are a lot of work, and when you’re running the rest of your household and juggling other responsibilities, it can be difficult to keep track of it all. When you start a garden with research and preparation on your side, your plants will thrive better than ever.

Beginning a routine maintenance schedule, ensuring plants have their individual needs met, and choosing native plants that thrive in your climate are excellent steps to ensure your home’s garden is healthy, protected, and beautiful.

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