With so many gardening trends it is easy to jump on the bandwagon and try new things, however, there are a few garden mistakes you might make that you could end up regretting.
Not having a theme to your design
The most aesthetically pleasing of landscaping is when there is a defined plan/theme. You don’t need to have an overly obvious theme like medieval or Gothic, but having a plan that seems to make sense helps take your garden from OK to amazing. It can be tempting to just purchase any plant that looks pretty when you stroll through the lawn and garden center or a local nursery, but having some rhythm to your design creates a better space.
Not edging
Edging can seem like it’s just an extra chore in your garden, but it is incredibly important to help a space feel finished and well-kept. It also helps keep elements of your flower bed in your flower bed and elements of your lawn in your lawn. It creates a visually stunning separation and relaxes the eye when looking at your landscape design.
Leaving areas of bear dirt
It can seem like it is less maintenance to leave areas that are hard to grow plants bear, but it creates a sort of an eyesore. It is a good idea to at least cover areas that may be tough to grow things like underneath a tree with mulch, or look for a shade-loving ground cover. Both of these are going to look better than a bare patch of dirt.
Not pruning perennials
This one is especially important at this time of year, as plants begin to let go of their pretty aspects, like flowers and leaves, and give way to the branch structure underneath. The best way to help your plants grow and come back even better in the spring is to make sure that during the winter, you are taking care of the plants within your garden properly. Make sure to trim things up and pull off those dead pieces of your perennial plants to help them thrive and look amazing when the weather begins to warm up again.
Not maintaining Hardscape features
Hardscape features are those that are not living elements of your landscape. This makes them less maintenance-intensive as compared to the living elements, but some people make the mistake of not maintaining them at all. They’re still an element of maintenance that needs to happen with your hardscape features, such as pressure washing, sweeping, tightening up loose bolts, etc. It is incredibly important to make sure you are properly maintaining all of your hardscaping aspects, as they play a big visual role in your landscape as well.
Leaving trees to sit
Trees are one of the most low-maintenance plants in the landscape, but they do need some care, especially as seasons shift and change. It is incredibly important to pay attention to any limbs that may be dead and to prune them back to the branch they are stemming off of. Not only is this healthier for the plant. It is a good safety measure. Leaving dead limbs on trees can cause them to break off and fall, and cause damage to items that they end up falling on. It is incredibly important to inspect your trees as the weather gets stormy or in the Pacific Northwest to make sure that they’re in good condition and there is no possibility of them causing damage and inclement weather.
If you need help with your landscape, especially when it comes to designing a great landscape that looks amazing and demands less upkeep and maintenance to remain beautiful. It is a good idea to consult the expertise of a landscaping professional.
If you want to take your yard and garden from great to amazing, contact the landscape designers at First Fruits Landscaping. Let’s get started turning your yard into a work of art that not only looks great but also functions well for your lifestyle. We provide landscaping services in Snohomish County and King County.