More than ever before, homeowners are doing DIY landscaping projects. With the help of Pinterest, YouTube videos, or home and garden television channels, homeowners think they can easily tackle these projects. However, that doesn’t mean everyone suddenly knows what it takes to create a landscaped yard that boosts curb appeal.

Avoiding DIY Landscaping Mistakes

If you are eager to change the look of your landscape design, there are many routes you may choose to take. By keeping these tips in mind, you can prevent your yard from ending up in the Pinterest landscaping fails hall-of-shame.

Failing to Plan

If you fail to plan, then you plan to fail. When designing a landscape, it is vital that you have a plan for what you want the end result to be. Use some graphing paper and draw a basic outline of what you envision. Then, stick with that design plan as much as possible.

Pruning and Hedging

Shrubs need to be pruned periodically. If not, they can be an eyesore, and can even make your home more attractive to thieves. Be sure to keep hedges trimmed and neat. If you are not sure when to prune shrubbery, talk to one of our Outdoor Makeover & Living Spaces specialists.

Excessive Ornamentation

Yard statuary can be a beautiful way to add depth and interest to a part of your yard. However, when looking at a landscape design with a large collection of decorations, it can actually look worse than having nothing at all. When you implement lawn art, be sure it showcases your landscape and doesn’t look cheap or cluttered. The last thing you want from your yard is a reputation for being tacky!

Scalping the Grass

Sure, a neatly mowed yard looks great, but be sure that you are not cutting the grass too short. Each variety of grass is different and requires specific lawn maintenance. In most cases, keeping the grass around 2 inches tall is a good height. Cutting your grass shorter than 2 inches means you need to cut it more often and it can be unhealthy for the grass.

Eyesores

Septic tanks, utility boxes, trash cans, and other items in the landscape can be eyesores. Don’t ignore them hope others will too! Consider adding in a hedge, fence, or other decorative elements. This will hide these eyesores while still keeping them accessible.

Using the Wrong Plants

Do your homework and only add plants that will succeed in your yard. Not every plant is going to work with your soil conditions. Also, consider the amount of sunlight your yard gets or the space where you wish to plant it. Selecting plants that work for your lawn will help it look better and have greater curb appeal. In addition, when buying plants, never buy single plants. Consider buying several that you can group together. Additionally, you will want to space them throughout your landscape, creating appealing patterns.

Make your landscape design the talk of the neighborhood – because it’s gorgeous, not garish! Avoiding common DIY mistakes and oversights can save you time and money. Outdoor Makeover & Living Spaces will help you create a beautiful landscape while boosting the curb appeal of your home. Contact us today!

6 DIY Landscaping Mistakes That Take Away from Curb Appeal