High quality garden landscaping can really transform your outdoor space, making it aesthetically pleasing, a pleasure to relax or work in, and easy to maintain. However, if you get it wrong you could have some very time consuming and costly mistakes to undo. Here are some of the most common landscaping pitfalls and how to avoid them.
Jumping in without a plan
Spend some time considering what you want from your outdoor space before starting a landscaping project. Do you want patio areas or decking for sunbathing or entertaining? Do you crave lots of colourful flower beds, or do you want a practical garden where you can grow fruit and vegetables, or a wildlife haven with a pond and meadow flowers?
Consider the proportions so that the layout will work in harmony with your house and other existing features.
Not incorporating drainage
Poorly drained gardens can lead to issues with waterlogging and soil erosion, and you will struggle to grow healthy and abundant plants. If you install hardscaping such as paths and patios, this will create extra surface runoff that could lead to boggy patches of ground, or even damage your property.
Investigate the best ways of including a drainage system in the landscaping, and ideally a method for collecting rainwater so that you can use it for watering during dry spells or topping up water features.
Selecting the wrong plants
When choosing plants, most people first assess the size, colour and shape of the plant without considering whether it will actually be suited to the spot you intend to plant it. Some plants need full sun to thrive, whilst others prefer full or partial shade. Consider the local climate; for example only certain species do well in exposed coastal areas.
Another factor to bear in mind is how fast the plant will grow, or even if it is an invasive species. Japanese knotweed was once imported as an ornamental plant to the UK, but is now a well-known nuisance that can damage property and even adversely affect insurance and market value.
However, there are several other species to be vigilant for, including certain species of bamboo, which are strong enough to grow through solid flooring and can even appear inside houses. Ivy is not considered to be an invasive species, but beware of using it as a climbing plant near brickwork, because it can damage the mortar.
Not considering soil type
The type of soil you have will affect the type of plants that will do well in your garden. Test the pH levels of your soil to discover if it is acidic, alkaline or neutral, and select the most appropriate plants. You can improve the quality of beds and borders by adding top soil and compost.
Not watering new planting schemes
New plants, especially larger shrubs or trees, can take up to two years to establish a root bed. Therefore, you should water them at least every two or three days, even if the weather is wet.