14 Garden Projects That Are More Trouble Than They’re Worth

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Gardening is a relaxing and rewarding hobby that promises blooming flowers, fresh vegetables, and outdoor spaces, but only a few people are aware that it can also be a hell of work. Although Pinterest-perfect garden designs can be tempting, between constant upkeep, expensive tools, and unforgiving weather, some ideas are better left unplanted.

If you’re a seasoned green thumb or a weekend gardener, you’ve probably had projects that, though beautiful or appealing, just end up being more hassle than happiness. Here’s a list of such garden projects that will make you wish you had kept things simple.

Building a Water Feature

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Adding a soothing touch to your garden might seem like a great idea with a fountain or a pond. But let me tell you, it’s anything but relaxing keeping it clean, algae free and functional. Pumps break, the water gets murky, and suddenly you’re playing the part of pond mechanic rather than peaceful gardener.

Elaborate Irrigation System Installation

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Drip systems or automatic sprinklers are a time saver in the long run, but installing them is back breaking. You’ll be digging trenches, connecting endless tubing for hours trying to figure out the layout. If you make a mistake, you could be overwatering in some areas and drowning your plants, or worse yet, underwatering and watching them die.

Creating a Formal Hedge Maze

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While hedge mazes may bring to mind grand European gardens, in a suburban backyard, they’re a nightmare waiting to happen. Hedges also need constant pruning, and you need a huge space for them. This is one idea that’ll make you want to throw in the towel after the first trim if you’re not a fan of spending weekends with hedge clippers in hand.

Going All-In on Topiary

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Topiary sculptures are sculptures made from plants, and shaped into intricate designs which bring playfulness and artistry to your garden. But unless you have the patience of a saint and the precision of a professional sculptor, these leafy creations are a headache to maintain. You could end up with a lopsided blob of a peacock.

Starting a Vertical Garden

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Photos of vertical gardens are lush, green walls of plants climbing up trellises or panels, and they look incredible. However, rootspace is limited, the watering systems are tricky, and exposure to the sun is uneven. Despite how modern and space saving they look at first glance, they often end up being more work than a traditional garden bed.

The Design of an Ornate Japanese Zen Garden

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Although a Japanese Zen garden with its smooth raked gravel and limited plant life can appear calm and tranquil, it is really quite deceptive. It might not seem like a lot of maintenance, but it needs daily care. A meditative space turns into a daily chore of constant touch ups.

Raised Beds From Expensive Materials

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Raised garden beds sound like a great idea until you want to use premium materials like stone or cedar wood. These materials are not only costly, but they don’t make gardening that much easier. In fact, unless you are a master craftsman you may be faced with warping wood or shifting stone walls by the end of the first season.

Growing an All-Rose Garden

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Beautiful, yes, but roses are notoriously high maintenance, as this Real Homes article attests. Special soil conditions, regular pruning and protection from a laundry list of pests and diseases are required for them. An all rose garden is romantic, but you’ll sweat under the sun more and fight aphids and black spot more often than you’d care to.

Starting a Beekeeping Garden

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Keeping bees to help pollinate your garden and make honey sounds sweet, but it’s not a small task. Beekeeping is difficult—it requires knowledge, a lot of equipment, and much time. Of course, there’s also the matter of dealing with thousands of stinging insects. If you’re not ready to totally immerse yourself in the world of bees, it’s best to stick to bee friendly plants and let the hives to the professionals.

Creating a Wildflower Meadow

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We think of a wildflower meadow as a kind of free space — a space filled with color and butterflies and bees. In reality though, they need exact planning and are in need of regular upkeep to stop them from becoming an overgrown patch of weeds. If you are not constantly watching, the meadow goes nuts in no time.

Laying a Stone Pathway

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Installing a stone pathway in your garden can add a rustic touch, but it’s certainly not easy. Laying stones evenly, making sure they are stable, and dealing with shifting ground over time is a backbreaking project that doesn’t necessarily add much to your garden’s functionality. Plus, weeds will manage to grow between those stones, resulting in another chore to add to your lengthy list.

Starting a Fruit Tree Orchard

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It’s an appealing dream to pick fresh apples or peaches from trees in your backyard, but fruit trees take years to mature and need constant attention. Pruning, pest control and perfect pollination, even a few trees can be a full time job. Don’t forget the squirrels and birds who will probably get to your fruit before you do.

Building a Greenhouse

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If you’re into growing plants year round, greenhouses can be a great investment. However, that’s not without high initial costs, constant temperature control, and even potential pest problems. And if you don’t pay attention to ventilation, you may have more mold than vegetables. It’s a project that sounds good on paper, but doesn’t always play out that way in real life.

How to Install a Lawn of Rare Grass Species

Rare or non-native grass may make for a lush, green lawn, but it’s not a dream for the gardener. Less fussy exotic grass species can be a full time affair. Typically these grasses flourish in very particular climates and require fertilizers and continual mowing to look their best. By the time you’re done, you may wish you had stuck to good old regular grass.

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.

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