The key to successful landscaping and a beautiful yard is planning. With all of the different elements that go into landscaping design, it’s important to plan ahead to make sure that every element works with the design as a whole. Read our tips for avoiding these common landscaping mistakes.

Incorrect Planting

When you buy plants, trees and shrubs, they’re usually not their full size yet. Knowing how big they will get when they’re fully mature is essential before choosing where to plant them. You’ll also want to make sure you know how much shade, sun and other requirements they need and which part of your yard will be best suited for them. One of the biggest mistakes people make when they plant a tree is to plant it too deeply, which can encourage root rot and prevent air from going to the root system. Try to plant no higher than where the roots start to come out of the base of the tree.

Not Considering Your Window View

One of the main goals of landscaping is to create a beautiful oasis for you and your family to enjoy, but some homeowners don’t think about the view that they’ll see from their window. To avoid this, place all of the plants where you want them, then go inside and see what it looks like from there. You can adjust accordingly if something looks off.

Forgetting About Maintenance

Maintenance is essential to landscaping, and without it, your yard will soon start to look overrun and rundown. If you’re dreaming about an elaborate landscaping project, ask yourself if you’re willing to do the work to maintain it. If not, consider if you can afford a landscaping company to maintain it for you on a regular basis. If the answer to these two questions is no, consider something simpler that you’ll be better equipped to take care of yourself.

Not Considering Your Home’s Style

Landscaping should look like a natural extension of your home, so you should choose a landscaping style that matches the style of your house. If your house is cottage-style, a cottage garden is a beautiful and perfect choice. Any choices regarding decking, patios or other hardscape elements should also be made by thinking about how they will work with your home as a whole.

Ignoring Exterior Lighting

For many homeowners, landscaping is simply about enjoying your garden during the day. But the truth is, your backyard can be used throughout the year at night – so why not add some beautiful exterior lighting to get the most out of your outdoor space? Exterior lighting isn’t just for helping you see and move around the space when it’s dark. Lighting can also add an extra dimension to how your garden actually looks.

More questions about outdoor lighting? Read our blog to find out why it’s important in your landscaping design.