What Landscaping Mistakes Should You Avoid?

What Landscaping Mistakes Should You Avoid? When correctly carried out, landscaping provides you with a nature-inspired relaxation zone, improves your curb appeal, and prevents soil erosion. If you are looking forward to enjoying the benefits of landscaping and you can’t help but ask, “what landscaping mistakes to avoid?” then ease your mind as I get you covered through this article.

We will walk you through 8 landscaping mistakes that you should try and avoid during a landscaping project.

Landscaping mistakes that you should avoid

#1. Assuming that landscaping is a DIY project

Most often, people assume that a landscaping project should be a DIY project, which it’s not. Note! If you want to have a cohesive, functional, and sustainable landscape, you will need to hire a landscape designer or a landscape architect.

It’s essential to also note that landscaping, especially when it’s an extensive project, may require the use of specific equipment which are expensive to purchase, especially if it’s a one-time landscaping project you intend to carry out in your home.

Hiring a landscaping pro not only saves you time and money but also ensures that your envisioned landscape ideas are made to become a reality seamlessly.

#2. Allocating a small space for the patio

Patios, when adequately sized, provide us with unlimited recreational space for us to enjoy with our loved ones. Unfortunately, not many of us enjoy this luxury due to allocating a small space for the patio during a landscaping project.

To avoid making such a landscaping mistake, please ensure that you prioritize your patio space by dedicating 1/3 of your total outdoor space for a patio installation.

#3. Overcrowding the outdoor space with numerous ornamentals

The majority of people tend to overcrowd their outdoor space with ornamentals. This leaves the landscape looking ‘busy’ if not unmaintained. It’s essential that you avoid making such a landscaping mistake since reversing this mistake may be tedious and expensive.

We recommend that you at least choose 2-3 ornaments that will act as your anchor piece during a landscaping project. Make sure that these anchor pieces’ colors complement each other in terms of color and design. It’s also vital that you have your ornaments strategically placed around your outdoor space for a more aesthetically balanced landscape.

#4. Growing plants in the wrong spot and with inadequate spacing

Growing plants in the wrong location and with inadequate spacing is another common landscaping mistake people make. It would be best if you didn’t grow plants near your house foundation, in spots that get insufficient sunlight, and in poorly draining soils. Growing your plants in such areas may cause them not to grow optimally.

Inadequately spacing your plants during the initial planting results in overcrowding of the plants. These plants also tend to grow when they are weak due to competition for nutrients and other resources necessary for their growth. This makes it essential that you space your plants adequately by projecting their future size after maturation.

To avoid overcrowding your plants, consider doing the following;

• Use containers
• Interplant your plants
• Incorporate the use of garden beds
• Grow plants that require less sunlight in shady spots
• Don’t exaggerate your walkways-have them designed to be small in size

#5. Growing the wrong plants

Growing the wrong plants is one of Singapore’s most frequently observed landscaping mistakes. Most homeowners will simply grow any plant in their garden without taking into consideration the following factors;

• The plant may be invasive
• It may attract unwanted creatures or animals
• It may require a lot of effort to maintain
• It may be poisonous or cause an allergic reaction when touched by people with sensitive skin

To avoid making such a landscaping mistake, please make sure that you always conduct extensive research on the type of plant you want to grow in your garden before growing it.

#6. Focusing more on your backyard

It’s not a surprise to find people putting more emphasis on their backyard and not on their front yard. To achieve attention-commanding and a character adding outdoor space, it’s vital that you balance both your front and back yard landscaping design.

Please don’t only focus on your backyard and neglect your front yard. Doing so risks you having an out-of-proportion landscape.

#7. Overlooking the irrigation and drainage system

A significant number of homeowners overlook their irrigation and drainage system during a landscaping project. This is a common landscaping mistake that can be avoided if a homeowner hires the services of a professional landscaper during a landscaping project.

A properly installed irrigation system saves you time, money and also ensures that your plants stay in good condition throughout the year. On the other hand, a professionally installed drainage system is of paramount importance as it helps maintain the integrity of your home’s foundation as well as your landscape, especially during rainy seasons.

A properly installed drainage system ensures that excess water is redirected to other areas, thus preventing any risks that may come about due to water accumulation in your landscape.

#8. Assuming that your landscape is an independent entity

Most homeowners assume that their landscape is a separate entity, which it’s not. Remember your outdoor space is an extension of your indoor space. So how well it’s maintained reflects how your indoor space is maintained.

It’s also important that your home’s exterior décor complement your landscape layout. In that, you shouldn’t have an outdoor space that looks different from your home’s aesthetic appearance.

What Landscaping Mistakes Should You Avoid? – Key takeaway

A well-maintained and functional landscape provides you with a nature-inspired relaxation area. But to enjoy such a benefit, you will have to avoid making the following landscaping mistakes; Assuming that landscaping is a DIY project, overcrowding your landscape with loads of ornaments, allocating a small space for the patio, and growing plants in the wrong spots and inadequately spacing them.

Growing the wrong plants, overlooking the landscape’s irrigation and drainage system, and assuming that the outdoor space is independent are also some of the most common landscaping mistakes frequently made. To avoid making such mistakes, please consider hiring a professional landscaper.