Avoid These Landscaping Mistakes

Take the Time to Plan for the Long-Term of Your Landscape

I may not be as accomplished as some of the other great AC contributors are when it comes to gardening, but I think I can hold my own with a spade and some peat moss!

I don't know about you, but once it starts warming up (which it is) I just want to run down to the nearest nursery and purchase all sorts of flowers and things for planting (which I tend to do). Problem is, if you don't take some time to plan your projects you wind up spending a lot of money, time and effort on landscaping with nothing to show for your labor!

So I have compiled a list of landscaping mistakes that are worth avoiding!

1) Have a Plan: We don't all have the necessary cash to call a professional landscaper. That means you need to draft up a landscaping plan on your own. Remember -- recommends www.the-landscape-design-site.com -- your backyard landscaping will focus more on usable living space than in the front and other areas of your property. The front yard landscape generally centers on appearance and appeal while the back is for living, entertaining, enjoying, and where privacy is most generally an issue.

2) Plants compliment the House: Landscaping should compliment your house, not overwhelm it. According to Better Homes and Gardens (www.bhg.com), the style of your house should compliment match your landscaping design.

3) Plants are Expensive: Be realistic about what you want to do. Plants cost money and it's easy to underestimate landscaping costs. Freeplants.com recommends you shop around. Check more than one nursery or garden center in order to get familiar with what your chosen items will cost.

4) Plan for the Long Term: Don't just think of how your landscape will look this summer or next. Think long-term when trees and plants have reached maturity.

5) Don't Just Follow the Straight and Narrow: Straight lines are cool but don't underestimate waves and curves to make your landscaping visually appealing.