10 Common Mistakes People Make in Their Garden (And How to Avoid Them)
By Landscaping Basingstoke | Garden Tips & Advice
Whether you're a first-time homeowner or you've had a garden for years, it's surprisingly easy to fall into habits that do more harm than good. At Landscaping Basingstoke, we see the same mistakes time and time again, but the good news is, most of them are completely avoidable.
Here's our guide to the most common garden mistakes and exactly what you should be doing instead.
1. Cutting the Grass Too Short
This is probably the most common mistake we see. Homeowners think that cutting the grass as short as possible means they won't have to mow as often. But the opposite is true.
Cutting your lawn too short (known as "scalping") stresses the grass, weakens the root system and makes it far more vulnerable to weeds, drought and disease. A stressed lawn also grows back patchier and less evenly.
What to do instead: Keep your mower on a higher setting, especially during summer. A good rule of thumb is never to cut more than a third of the grass blade at a time. If your lawn has been neglected and is very long, bring it down gradually over several cuts rather than all at once.
2. Watering at the Wrong Time of Day
Watering your garden in the middle of the day might seem logical (it's warm and the plants look thirsty), but it's actually one of the least effective times to water. The heat causes water to evaporate before it can reach the roots, meaning your plants get far less than you think.
What to do instead: Water early in the morning or in the evening. This gives water time to soak into the soil and reach the roots where it's actually needed. Morning watering is generally best as it reduces the risk of fungal disease that can develop when plants stay wet overnight.
3. Ignoring Weeds Until They're Out of Control
A few weeds here and there might not seem like a big deal, but leave them long enough and they'll take over. Weeds compete with your plants for water, nutrients and sunlight, and the longer you leave them the harder and more expensive they are to deal with.
What to do instead: Stay on top of weeding little and often. Catching weeds early, before they flower and seed, prevents them from spreading. For persistent or widespread weed problems, a professional application of weed killer can save you significant time and money in the long run.
4. Not Pruning Shrubs and Hedges Regularly
Overgrown shrubs and hedges aren't just an eyesore. They can actually cause damage to fences, walls and even the foundations of your property. They also block light from other plants and create the perfect hiding spot for pests.
Many homeowners avoid pruning because they're not sure when or how to do it, and they're worried about getting it wrong. But leaving it too long only makes the job harder and more expensive when you eventually do tackle it.
What to do instead: Most shrubs benefit from an annual trim, and hedges generally need cutting back at least once or twice a year depending on the variety. If your hedges or shrubs have already got out of hand, a professional team can reduce them safely and efficiently without causing damage.
5. Poor Drainage and Waterlogging
If you notice puddles sitting on your lawn or patio for hours after rain, you've got a drainage problem. Poor drainage leads to waterlogged soil, which kills grass roots, encourages moss and can even cause damage to hard landscaping over time.
What to do instead: Aerating your lawn regularly helps water drain through more effectively. For more serious drainage issues, a professional can assess whether you need a soakaway, French drain or a change in levels to resolve the problem properly.
6. Planting in the Wrong Spot
It's tempting to plant things wherever they look good aesthetically, but if a plant isn't suited to the conditions in that spot (the amount of sunlight, the soil type and the moisture level), it'll struggle no matter how well you look after it.
What to do instead: Before planting anything, check its requirements. Does it need full sun or shade? Does it prefer well-drained or moist soil? Putting the right plant in the right place is one of the simplest ways to have a garden that thrives with minimal effort.
7. Neglecting the Patio and Hard Landscaping
Your lawn gets mowed and your plants get watered, but when did you last think about your patio? Over time, patios accumulate moss, algae and weeds between the slabs. Left untreated, these can make surfaces slippery and dangerous, and cause the slabs to shift and crack.
What to do instead: Give your patio a jet wash at least once a year and apply a patio cleaner to tackle moss and algae. Keep on top of weeds between slabs, or better yet, apply a weed killer or sealant to prevent them from taking hold in the first place.
8. Letting Ivy Grow Unchecked
Ivy looks charming, but it's one of the most destructive plants you can have growing unchecked on your property. It can work its way into brickwork, damage mortar, block gutters and cause serious structural issues over time. On fences, it adds weight and moisture that accelerates rot.
What to do instead: If you want to keep ivy, manage it regularly. Cut it back before it gets onto walls or fences and sever the roots to keep growth under control. If it's already established on a wall or fence, seek professional advice before pulling it away, as removing it incorrectly can cause damage to the surface underneath.
9. Skipping Lawn Feeding
Most people mow the lawn but very few actually feed it. Your grass is constantly using up nutrients from the soil, and without replenishment it will gradually become thin, pale and patchy, making it far more vulnerable to weeds and moss.
What to do instead: Feed your lawn two to three times a year (typically in spring, summer and autumn) using a seasonal lawn feed. Spring and summer feeds promote growth and green colour, while an autumn feed helps the roots strengthen for winter. It's one of the easiest and most impactful things you can do for your lawn.
10. Trying to Do Too Much Yourself
There's nothing wrong with taking pride in your garden and doing things yourself, but there are times when a job is beyond DIY, and pushing ahead anyway can end up costing you far more to put right.
Laying a patio, building retaining walls, installing drainage or tackling serious overgrowth are all jobs that require the right tools, skills and experience. Getting it wrong can lead to uneven surfaces, flooding, structural damage and a garden that looks worse than when you started.
What to do instead: Know your limits. For smaller maintenance tasks such as weeding, mowing and basic pruning, DIY is absolutely fine. For anything structural or large-scale, get a professional in. A good landscaper will save you time, money and stress, and the results will last far longer.
Final Thoughts
Most garden problems don't happen overnight. They build up gradually through small oversights and habits that seem harmless at the time. The good news is that with a bit of regular attention and the right approach, most gardens can be brought back to life and kept looking great year-round.
If your garden has got on top of you or you're looking to transform your outdoor space, the team at Landscaping Basingstoke are here to help. From regular maintenance and garden clearances to full redesigns, patios, artificial grass and more. We cover Basingstoke and the surrounding areas.