Landscaping can be deceptively complex and a very tough job to undertake on your own. Even if you have tons of experience with DIY projects, landscaping is a whole other beast. You need to have in-depth knowledge of how plants grow and what they need to thrive and survive. In addition, you also need to know about things like irrigation, which is a science in and of itself.
If you are thinking of doing some landscaping work on your own or hiring someone, here are a few mistakes you should avoid at all costs.
Treating a Sloped Landscape Like Any Other Landscape
A sloped landscape will require special care, especially when it comes to drainage. You also want to ensure stability. This is where things like retaining walls could come in handy if you have very steep slopes and hills. If you don’t plant and plan carefully, you could end up with water accumulating, turning your backyard into a mess while drowning your plants and lawn. We also suggest you start looking at the best materials for your backyard and what kind of plants you can use to anchor the landscape.
Neglecting Shrub and Hedge Trimming
Seeing a row of forsythia bushes going to waste because the owners won’t take care of them is heartbreaking when you know how beautiful they could be with just a little love. This could be because you aren’t sure when is the best time to prune them. If you do it too early, you could end up cutting the buds and not getting those fabulous blooms come spring. So, before you have them installed, make sure that you know how to treat them the right way.
You also want to take care of hedges and make sure that you trim them often. You don’t want one of the shrubs in your hedge to go rogue, or else it will affect the appearance. Also, make sure that you look for any weeds or small trees pushing through your hedge. Maple samaras can get stuck in your hedge, start to germinate, and then take root. If you don’t remove them early, they might gain a toehold and be difficult to remove without uprooting your shrubs.
Going Too Niche
Also, if your goal was to increase your home’s value, you might think twice about adding elaborate elements like water features. You might think that everyone would love to have an 18th century inspired water fountain in their backyard or a fancy koi pond, but these could actually deter a lot of prospective buyers. For one, many will see it as a maintenance nightmare. You also don’t know what their idea of a perfect landscape is. This is one of the most personal areas for many buyers, so you want to let them imagine themselves building the space. So, if your goal was to eventually sell, try to be conservative.
These are all examples of mistakes too many people commit with their landscaping and mistakes in lawn care. Make sure that you take your time and plan, and work with a pro if you feel that you’re in way over your head.
