Landscaping can be both a joy and a nightmare. While many new and seasoned homeowners know that landscaping is a great way to increase a home’s curb appeal and resale value, it’s easy to get frustrated with an outdoor project. From budgeting blunders to stylistic slip-ups, here are a few common landscaping mistakes to avoid for a lovely yard and a happy home:

 

  1. Not Landscaping at All

    Some say that the worst thing you can do with your yard is nothing! A lawn left bare, mowed occasionally and weeded halfheartedly can quickly look desolate, unloved and sad. If you don’t want to spend much time maintaining a yard, there are plenty of landscaping options that require little work while still looking beautiful, like rock gardens, ground cover growths, and perennial plants. Even a rather sloppy garden landscaping near messy stone paths can create a weathered, natural appearance more appealing than an empty lot of grass.

  2. Trying to Do Too Much

    Overdoing a landscaping project can also negatively impact the appearance and value of your home. Front and backyard landscape designs should allow space for activities and movement. For example, kids and pets need room to run, but over-landscaping can limit space to do so. Larger projects also require more maintenance, in the long run, so be realistic about what you can handle before adding a half-acre garden or planting prolific fruit trees.

  3. Not Making a Budget

    Failing to calculate what you can afford before hiring landscapers or starting a DIY project can lead to unnecessary stress. Keeping your landscaping near methodical budgetary limits can ensure you aren’t left with a half-landscaped lawn. Finally, a good landscape can raise your home’s resale value by 14%, but poor budgeting can hinder this benefit and make projects cost more than they are worth.

  4. Botanically Unrealistic Designs

    Be sure to take your plants’ health into consideration before settling on a design. Many landscaping amateurs and clients envision gardens and shrubbery based on color or symmetrical aesthetics and forget that plants require specific environmental conditions. You may want matching hedgerows on either side of your doorway, yet become frustrated when one side grows far faster due to better sunlight quality. Do botanical research or consider hiring a professional to create landscape design ideas that work with your yard’s unique environment.

Follow these tips to avoid detrimental landscape flubs so you can craft a yard both functional and beautiful!