11 Gardening Trends That Professional Landscapers Wish You’d Avoid
This post may contain affiliate links.
In recent years, gardening has exploded with trends as homeowners, hobbyists, and green thumbs try to spruce up their outside spaces. Everyone wants their own unique twist to their backyards from Instagram worthy lawns to whimsical garden ornaments. That said, not all trends are worth embracing, and landscaping pros say some can even be detrimental to your plants, soil and overall look.
Whether you’re a newbie or an experienced gardener, you might not have realized you’ve unwittingly jumped on a trend that pros would advise against. Below are some of the most popular gardening ideas landscapers wish we’d all slow down on.
Fake Grass Everywhere
Artificial turf may sound great, a green lawn without all of the work, but it’s not all it’s cracked up to be. Fake grass saves you from mowing but doesn’t allow the soil underneath to breathe, which can pose problems with drainage and heat retention. Plus, it’s not as soft as natural grass, which isn’t as inviting to kids and pets. If you don’t want artificial turf, choose native grasses or ground covers that are appropriate for your climate and that look natural.
Over-the-Top Water Features
Small water features can be a nice touch in a garden, but large water features can become a pain in the neck. These tanks often require frequent maintenance, and if you don’t have the time to clean filters or stop algae from building up, you’re likely to end up with a murky mess instead of a serene oasis. Landscapers say to begin with smaller, manageable water features that fit in scale with your garden and budget.
Planting Invasive Species
You might see some exotic plants at the garden center and want them in your garden, but some are invasive species that can destroy your garden and local ecosystem. They spread quickly, choking out native species and causing long term damage. Instead, choose native plants adapted to your region that will happily coexist with other plants in your garden.
Obsession With Symmetry
Symmetrical gardens may be perfect in photos, but they’re hard to take care of. Nature doesn’t grow in straight lines, so it requires a lot of pruning and upkeep to maintain the appearance of ‘just right.’ Landscapers suggest going with a natural, flowing design that requires less constant attention and allows plants to grow as they’re supposed to.
Using Too Much Mulch
Mulch is a great for retaining moisture and suppressing weeds, but too much of it can suffocate plants and prevent air from reaching the soil. When people pile mulch “volcanoes” around tree bases, they’re actually at risk for rot and disease. According to Homes & Gardens, experts say a couple of inches will do—spread it evenly and don’t overdo it.
Japanese Zen Gardens Imitating
Japanese gardens are beautiful, but recreating one in a standard backyard can be difficult and looks out of place. To create these gardens, you need certain plants, materials and a refined approach to get the calming effect. Without knowledge of the space, know-how, and time, you can end up with a mishmash instead of a sanctuary. Japanese gardens can inspire you, but don’t try to replicate every detail.
Too Much Garden Ornaments
While a garden can be personalized with a few decorative touches, if it’s overdone with gnomes, statues, and other things, it will look cluttered. Landscapers think the less the better but it’s easy to get carried away. A tasteful birdbath or one focal point is better than a bunch of decorations vying for attention.
Trendy Plants vs Hardiness
The hottest “it” plants may be gorgeous, but if they don’t fit your climate, they won’t stick around long. Lots of gardeners are caught up in Instagram worthy plants that are popular online, but then struggle or die in actual gardens. They advise choosing plants that can survive the local weather conditions, rather than a garden that is trendy, but doesn’t thrive.
Skipping Pathways
They might seem like an afterthought, but pathways are absolutely necessary for keeping foot traffic from trampling plants and compacting the soil. Most homeowners skip this step, which leads to damaged beds and unhappy guests trying to avoid mud spots. Adding structure and convenience to your garden is simple using a stone or gravel pathway.
Using Non Eco Friendly Pesticides
Pests can be frustrating but gardeners frequently go overboard with chemical solutions that can kill beneficial insects, pets and even people. Don’t spray harsh pesticides all over your garden, instead, find natural methods or plants that repel insects. Going organic not only helps your garden stay healthy, but it also helps the local ecosystem.
Overloading on Raised Beds
Raised beds are a great choice for vegetable gardens, but too many can give your space the look of a small farm. For some specific purposes like improving soil drainage or tending delicate plants, raised beds are often the best. Use them sparingly and mix them with ground level planting for a more balanced, natural look.
Paving Everything
Low maintenance yards made of pavers might seem like a dream, but they can leave your garden feeling stark and uninviting. According to Urban Green-blue Grids, pavers also disrupts water drainage and increases heat by removing too much green space. If you don’t want to spend much time on your yard, choose a few patches of grass or add a few big planters to add some life and welcome to your area.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
Affordable Home Entertainment: 11 Must-Have Finds For Enhancing Your Family Movie Nights
Affordable Home Entertainment: 11 Must-Have Finds For Enhancing Your Family Movie Nights
How to Clean Your Smoker Grill Combo Like a Pro
How to Clean Your Smoker Grill Combo Like a Pro
15 Common Mistakes That Unknowingly Make
15 Common Mistakes That Unknowingly Make Your Home Look Bad
Bring Nature Indoors with These DIY Terrarium Ideas
