5 Biggest Landscaping Mistakes

Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

Your front and backyard spaces provide endless opportunities to increase functionality and aesthetic appeal through landscaping. Depending on the amenities you choose to have, you can do everything from hosting barbeque parties and pool days on your property to simply enjoying a great book overlooking a gorgeous outdoor environment.

Exterior improvements such as landscaping and creating outdoor oases are not just beneficial to your mental health. Research shows that making curb improvements can make your home sell for 7% more than similar homes with less inviting exteriors. Therefore, it’s easy to see why many homeowners wish to invest in landscaping.

That said, not all home improvement attempts result in better value – this only happens if you take time to plan, find professionals, and make sure your landscaping job is executed correctly.

At Lawn Connections, we have decades of expertise in various kinds of exterior home improvements. According to our experts, these are some of the common mistakes homeowners make when landscaping:

Starting Your Landscaping Job without a Plan

Failing to make a plan before a landscaping project leads to various problems. Most often, you end up with a yard strewn with mismatched plants and features, disjointed architectural styles between the interior and exterior, and a project that exceeds the budget.

It is critical to make a plan before starting any landscaping project, no matter how small. It would be best if you decided, in consultation with a professional, the specific theme or style you want. The landscaping expert can help you to put our vision on paper and work on the practical aspects of the plan. The plan decides how landscaping works with other elements, like hardscaping or installing a deck/patio.

Make the plan as detailed as possible. Decide where each type of plant/shrub goes in relation to all other fixtures as well as the shape and style of your house. Find ways to merge the interior and exterior to create harmony throughout the entire home.

Of course, you should also consider your budget; a professional can help you to phase out your project if you can’t afford to do it all at once. Another common mistake is to overlook the cost of lawn maintenance when planning a garden. Gardens need to be watered, weeded, and cared for; ensure you can pay someone if you don’t have time to do it yourself.

Too Many Decorative Elements 

It isn’t uncommon to find homeowners who put too many kinds of plants in the yard and on the lawn. They may also place too many attention-grabbing ornamental elements, overpowering the space, and disrupting the harmony of the area.

When planning your plants and decorative elements, always remember that less is more. One or two well-placed, attention-grabbers are enough; all other parts should be muted and complement the main pieces. Your goal, when landscaping, is to highlight the natural beauty of plants, hardscapes, and other natural features of the lawn. Avoid overcrowding, which detracts from your goal.

Many people like to choose a single focal point, often a water feature like a custom pool, spa, or hot tub. At Lawn Connections, we have the expertise to create water features, hardscapes, and gardens that complement one another, building the outdoor oasis of your dreams. Talk to our experts before getting started on your landscaping project.

Not Researching Your Plants

Sadly, not all plants can be planted in any climatic region. Even though you love a particular plant, always consider its needs in relation to the soil chemistry, climate, and space that you have. Failing to do this can result in wasted effort – spending thousands of dollars planting the wrong things and despairing when your plan doesn’t work.

Again, the input of our landscaping experts is critical to help you determine the right plants to grow and where to plant them. Luckily, Texas has a host of floral diversity, which means you have a wealth of choices when you hit the nursery. Consider the hardier plants that require minimal maintenance, especially during the harsh summer heat.

The following are common plants, trees, and flowers that thrive in North Texas:

• Smoke tree
• Chaste tree
• Crape myrtle tree
• Polis Castle
• Texas Bird of Paradise
• Japanese Maple tree
• Bee Balm
• Fall Aster
• Black-eyed Susan
• Gregg’s Mist Flower
• Copper Canyon Daisy
• White Rain Lily
• Dwarf Mexican Brush Sage

Avoid planting too many of the same type of plant. Variety is at the heart of an attractive cascaded yard. You also need variety to attract (or repel) the right kind of insect and give your space more life. Planting a variety also allows the plants to benefit from one another’s unique nutritional aspects.

Improper Plant Placement

Another common mistake is putting your plants in the wrong places within the yard. Apart from looking unsightly, improper plant placement can cause your plants to fail to thrive as they should. Each plant has unique needs in terms of planting depth, water, and light requirements. If these elements are not provided in the correct quantities, your plants may start to wilt and even die.

Ensure that you consider the movement of the sun and seasonal effects on the exposure each plant gets. Planters (flower pots) can be moved as needed, but plants directly in the ground must be put in the right place. Do not plant too shallow or too deep, and consider how much space the full-grown plant will need (especially trees). Planting too deeply limits the oxygen a plant gets, essentially suffocating the root system and killing the plant.

Improper Fertilization of Plants

Improper fertilization occurs in three ways: not fertilizing at all where additional nutrients are needed, using the improper technique when fertilizing, and over-fertilizing. It is critical to test the soil chemistry in your yard before planting. Based on your findings, the landscaping experts can recommend which fertilizer you need for the various plants you wish to grow.

Once you have the right fertilizer, a good rule is to fertilize the soil twice a year, in the early morning or late evening to avoid the sun. Follow the instructions on the fertilizer bag to the letter, and, where indicated, follow the exercise with water to mix the fertilizer into the soil.

Lawn Connections Experts to Help with Your Landscaping

If you’re in search of that beautiful and well-manicured lawn, talk to our Lawn maintenance experts at Lawn Connections. With decades of experience in all aspects of landscaping and exterior home improvement, our team can help with everything from landscaping to hardscaping and water feature installation.

Do you have any questions about an upcoming landscaping project in Dallas or the greater Texas? Reach out to us, and we’ll be happy to guide you through the process!