Landscaping Mistakes that Lead to More Maintenance

• May 22, 2023
• Website Admin

Who says landscaping has to be a hassle? While it is true that landscaping requires regular maintenance to keep its appearance and health, aiming for a low-maintenance landscape can be beneficial. If you plan it right, you can create a visually stunning landscape that is easy to maintain, so you can enjoy it more instead of constantly tending to it. If you want to avoid more maintenance, avoid these common mistakes. Say goodbye to constant upkeep and hello to more time spent enjoying your outdoor space. 

Common Landscaping Mistakes that Increase the Need for More Maintenance

The professional landscape designer Milton, Ever Changing Landscape, is here to help. We have mentioned the most common landscaping mistakes to avoid: 

Too Many Perennials and Annuals

Perennials and annuals can add vibrant colours and variety to landscaping. However, having an excessive number of them can increase maintenance requirements. Perennials and annuals typically require regular watering to thrive and maintain their appearance. When there are numerous plants in the landscape, it can be time-consuming and exhausting to water each one adequately. Many annuals and certain perennial flowers require deadheading, which involves removing spent blooms to encourage further flowering and maintain a tidy appearance. Pruning may also be necessary to control the size and shape of the plants. When there is an abundance of perennials and annuals, the task of deadheading and pruning becomes more extensive, requiring more effort and time.

Improper Plant Spacing

The golden rule of landscaping is: "Right Plant, Right Place." This means you should select a plant perfect for your property and its surroundings and ensure it's planted in a spot that caters to its specific needs. Plants must have access to essential resources such as water, sunlight, and nutrients to grow and thrive. When plants are spaced too closely together, they compete for these resources. This competition can lead to stunted growth, reduced flowering or fruiting, and increased susceptibility to pests and diseases. Additional watering, fertilization, and pest control may be needed to reduce these issues.

Weed Fabric to Reduce Weeds

Using weed fabric is another mistake that can lead to increased maintenance work. Even though it appeals, it provides fewer benefits and more issues in practice. Weed fabric is typically installed beneath a layer of soil or mulch. Over time, organic matter such as leaves, twigs, and decomposed mulch can accumulate on the fabric. Thus, creating an environment suitable for weed growth. The weed fabric inhibits the natural decomposition of organic matter; it can disrupt the nutrient cycling process and hinder the health of the soil beneath. Regular maintenance, including periodic cleaning and reapplication of mulch or soil enhancements, may be required to prevent weed growth and maintain soil health.

For most homeowners who have used it in the past, weed fabric ends up being more of a hassle than a help. If you're serious about suppressing weeds, mulching combined with a landscape maintenance program is your best bet.

No Edging Strategy

Edging plays an essential role in landscaping by creating clear boundaries between different areas, such as lawns, flower beds, and walkways. Several issues can arise when these boundaries are not defined through edging, contributing to increased maintenance requirements. Grass and weeds can easily invade flower beds, mulched areas, and other designated spaces without proper edging. 

The lack of a clear barrier allows grassroots and weed seeds to spread freely, leading to more frequent weeding, trimming, and removal tasks to maintain the desired look. When there is no edging, rainfall or irrigation can cause soil to wash away, leading to uneven surfaces and exposing plant roots. Similarly, mulch can be easily displaced without edging, requiring frequent reapplication to maintain its aesthetic and functional benefits. 

Choose Ever Changing Landscape Who Implements Best Practices

Ever Changing Landscape LTD offers the highest quality landscaping Milton. Our professional landscaping company uses best practices to create stunning, low-maintenance landscapes. Transform your outdoor space today: contact our landscaping experts for a free consultation! Read our informative blog post, What are the Principles of Landscaping to improve your landscaping projects and achieve the best and most sustainable designs.