6 LANDSCAPE MISTAKES GARDENERS OFTEN MAKE

Earth-Kind® Residential Landscaping School

By Skip Richter County Extension Agent – Horticulture Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service

Landscapes certainly add to the value of our home and provide us with years of enjoyment…or at least they should! I’ve seen a million examples of ” It seemed like a good idea at the time” over the years and want to instead help people have success in their landscaping endeavors. While many mistakes that deserve mention, here are a few common ones I see gardeners make:

1. Not planning before planting. Gardeners can become “plant collectors,” arriving home with the latest plant acquisition with little knowledge of where to put it! Start with a landscape plan that is designed with aesthetic beauty in mind as well as water conservation and less maintenance.
2. Not preparing the soil first. Spend a dollar on soil before a dollar on a plant! Sand and clay both need lots of compost added. Build up raised beds if drainage is poor. Get soil ready before you plant!
3. Choosing poorly adapted plants. Why is it we always want to grow something that belongs in another part of the country? Select naturally adapted and disease/pest resistant species and cultivars.
4. Not considering location carefully. Sun or shade, good drainage or poor, protected location or exposed. These all have huge effects on a plant’s chance of success.
5. Planting too close. Crowding increases disease problems and can result in an unattractive planting. Keep in mind how large that shrub will grow before planting it under a window or next to a sidewalk.
6. Not mulching properly. You’ve heard all the benefits of mulch but still people fail to apply it to their plants. Avoid the silly “mulch volcanoes” around trees. Maintain a 2-3 inch layer of mulch around your plants. Over time as it decomposes it will release nutrients into the soil.
7. Not starting off right the Earth-Kind way. Avoiding these common mistakes. Earth-Kind landscaping considers planning, plant selection, soil preparation, maintenance, mulching and other key practices, using research-proven techniques to provide maximum garden and landscape enjoyment while preserving and protecting the environment.