Common Landscaping Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Imagine this: you’ve spent months dreaming of your ideal garden, invested thousands and excitedly watched as your landscaping project took shape.

But six months later… your plants are dying; water is seeping through to the basement below instead of draining away as intended; in short, everything has gone wrong from what it had been imagined at first.

Wait a minute. Does that describe what has happened to some degree for you, too? If so then this book might be just what the doctor ordered.

We of course support the reader’s belief in their own correctness. However, our considerable experience in design and implementation allows us to identify those little details which often make such a big difference.

Whether you’re considering a complete home landscape design or simply attempting to spruce up a few garden beds, make sure that you are aware of these timely tips which can save time and money in the long run.

1. Ignoring Your Soil’s Personality

Surprisingly perhaps, your soil has its own personality. And it is unlikely what you are thinking.

One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make when they landscape their yards is to fall in love with particular plants without taking into account the condition of their soil. In Sydney soil conditions can vary greatly from one place to another: what does well in Bondi may be a disaster in Blacktown.

Clay soil that stays waterlogged in winter only to become rock-hard in summer? Sandy soils that drain water faster than it runs through a sieve! Plans appropriate for each type are entirely different. (But don’t worry – we’ll tell you some later).

Before you buy your first plant, have your soil tested. A comprehensive soil analysis will not only show you what’s in the ground, but also how best to work with it. Sometimes the answer is to select plants that actually like living in your conditions, rather than trying to change everything around.

The intelligent way? Work with the natural conditions of your soil, not against them. Just like finding a partner – you tend to do better if the person really likes being with you because they understand who and how you are.

2. Falling for the “More is More” Trap

We get it. You go to a nursery and everything is perfect. Those flowering shrubs! That stunning ornamental grass! Those gorgeous feature trees! Before long, your bucket looks as though you are about to re-create the Royal Botanic Gardens in your backyard.

The problem is that squeezing all the different veggies and herbs you want to grow into one corner of your garden or balcony is like trying to jam too many people into a lift – everyone will be uncomfortable, and someone’s going to get squished.

Overcrowding poses a slew of issues you might not have thought of:

• Plants are mutually fighting for nutrients, water and sunlight
• Poor circulation of air Disease spreads fast if the fresh air doesn’t circulate well.
• Your garden looks untidy rather than the lush scene you picture in your mind
• Maintenance becomes a nightmare

There’s a reason the rule in garden design is “less is more.” Take less, but give it space to breathe and become what it wants be. A garden full of five healthy plants looks a lot better than a place with twenty struggling plants.

And, your wallet will thank you. Quality over quantity is about investing in fewer, better plants that will actually establish and last you for years to come.

3. The “Set and Forget” Watering Disaster

Water seems simple enough, right? Plants need it, so you give it to them. Yet poor watering practices cause more landscaping problems than almost anything else.

The most common watering mistakes include:

• Treating all plants like they have identical water needs
• Watering during the heat of the day when most water evaporates
• Using sprinkler systems that spray more water on paths than plants
• Evening watering that leaves plants sitting in damp conditions overnight

Your native grasses don’t need the same drink schedule as your exotic tropical plants. Some plants prefer deep, infrequent watering, while others like little sips more often.

The solution? Group plants with similar water needs together, and invest in proper irrigation planning. A well-designed system considers each plant’s specific requirements and delivers water efficiently where it’s actually needed.

Your water bills and your plants will both be happier

4. Forgetting That Plants Actually Grow

This is one we know you’ve heard before, but it’s surprising how often we see it. That adorable little hedge that’s supposed to stay knee-high? In 5 years, it could be taller than your fence. What about those feature trees that are right up against the house? Their roots may have some interesting chats with your foundation later down the line.

The sizes of mature plants are not suggestions, they are forecasts. When it says “grows to 4 metres,” believe it. When it says “spreads to 3m wide,” that’s not up for discussion.

When planting for mature sizes, you are thinking beyond how your garden looks today:

• Think about how much shade that tree will give in ten years
• See if that shrubbery will obstruct your windows
• Think about whether you will still be able to use your outdoor entertaining area once everything has filled out.
• Also consider root spread and possible structural implications

The spacing enables the health of plants too. Crowded plants are stressed plants, and stressed plants are susceptible to pests and diseases. Knowing about Australian native plant characteristics will assist with plant placement and the type of plants you select.

And that’s exactly what professional landscape design pays off. We’re not just thinking about your garden on installation day, but over the next several years as well.

5. The Drainage Dilemma That Nobody Talks About

The power of drainage is likely the most under-estimated of all landscaping mistakes. It’s not sexy, it’s not a crystal-clear indicator, and by the time you’re aware of it, the damage can often be done.

The weather in Sydney is a fiend of a test for your drainage systems. Torrential summer storms can deliver a lot of water in short periods, and our clay soils don’t always percolate it away so naturally. Without proper planning, you may find yourself with waterlogged plant beds and soggy lawns — or worse yet, water damage to your house.

Signs of drainage problems include:

• Water pooling after rain
• Plants that rot rather than grow
• Soil remains constantly soggy before and days after watering
• Runoff from your roof with nowhere to go
• Small depressions that hold water you never knew were there

The answer could be as simple as amending the soil with organic matter to improve soil structure, or as complicated as putting in drains and regrading the area. However you look at it, it becomes infinitely simpler and cheaper to do drainage right the first time than have to repair it after you’ve established plants and hardscaping.

6. Skipping the Maintenance Plan

Here’s an uncomfortable truth: gardens aren’t self-maintaining. Even the most low-maintenance landscape design needs some regular attention to stay looking its best.

The mistake many homeowners make is choosing plants and design features without considering the ongoing commitment:

• Formal hedges need regular trimming
• Annual flower displays require seasonal replanting
• Pristine lawns demand consistent care
• Water features need cleaning and maintenance

There’s nothing wrong with high-maintenance gardens if you’re prepared for them. The problem comes when there’s a mismatch between expectations and reality. A garden that needs daily attention but only gets monthly care will quickly look tired and neglected.

Honest conversations about maintenance during the design phase prevent disappointment later. Maybe you prefer weekend beach trips to weekend pruning? That’s fine – there are plenty of stunning low-maintenance alternatives that will give you more time to enjoy your outdoor space.

Our maintenance programmes can create a care schedule that keeps your garden looking fantastic without overwhelming your lifestyle.

7. DIY Disasters and Knowing When to Call for Help

There’s a certain joy in being able to do things yourself. Many activities that take place on the weekend are just right for gardening enthusiasts like weeding or re-seeding the lawn after winter damage. But it happens that landscaping mistakes are simply made when people with few skills and little time try to tackle projects that are too large in scope for them to handle.

The investment comes to nothing if a feature fails. Examples are retaining walls that tilt because groundwork has been done improperly, paving resembling a roller coaster ride for we skimped on base preparation, and lighting where the electrical work is…

The difficulty lies in knowing when to call in the experts. Planting a new garden bed? No worries. Putting in a major drainage system or building from the ground up? It might be worth getting professional advice at least on aspects or equipment if not help with whole projects, depending.

There are limits, of course. The nursery, soil delivery etc. are best done at a professional level. After that, though, you can still join in and enjoy what fun your creation has wrought. It sours quickly when things go wrong– the wall collapses from too little cement underpinning or shoondon sandbags aren’t in place to protect against water saturation of fill dirt.

The Climate Reality Check

Sydney’s climate is fantastic for outdoor living, but it can be harsh on plants that aren’t prepared for it. We uncover garden design errors completely ignoring local climate realities all the time.

Sydney’s climate patterns include scorching summer heat, occasional winter frosts, and intense afternoon sun. Installing lawn in places that get the afternoon sun without considering heat stress, and accidentally creating microclimates like heat traps near paved areas is another problem people fall into yet don’t realize it has happened.

Successful landscaping works with Sydney’s climate, not against it. That means understanding your property’s particular circumstances: which areas receive morning sun versus afternoon sun, where wind is a factor and in what direction, how water moves over the whole area during heavy rains, and so forth. You will want to see this list as job one when you begin working out gonna happen next year.

Designing your garden to suit your own environment is not only a matter of If the plants will survive. It also means creating outdoor spaces that are comfortable and enjoyable to be in. Nobody wants a deck for entertaining that turns into a furnace every lethargic afternoon in summer, no matter how lovely the plants around it might be.

Two kinds of tree lines: one that’s an asset, and another which fools a sight.

Making It Right from the Start

The best time to avoid landscaping mistakes is before they happen. Fixing problems later is always more expensive and disruptive than preventing them upfront.

Professional garden design considers all these factors during the planning stage:

• Soil conditions and drainage requirements
• Mature plant sizes and spacing needs
• Maintenance expectations and climate factors
• Your vision balanced with practical realities

At Intree Landscapes, we’ve seen what happens when these elements get missed, and we’ve learned to plan for them from day one. Our design process includes thorough site assessment, honest conversations about maintenance expectations, and careful plant selection.

We’re not trying to talk you out of ambitious garden dreams – we want to help you achieve them in a way that actually works long-term.

Creating Gardens That Last

Great landscaping isn’t just about how your garden looks on completion day, but it’s about creating outdoor spaces that improve over time and continue bringing you joy years down the track.

It will pay off to avoid common landscaping mistakes. After all you don’t want to have ongoing problems and be confronted with increasingly expensive fixes, so as you see your garden flourish enjoy its evolution instead.

The trick is to match your vision with practical know-how. What do you want to do with your space, and what makes you happy? We know how to make that work within Sydney conditions and last over time.

Understand these common mistakes when planning a complete backyard transformation or just fixing some existing problem.

Want to build a landscape that avoids these common errors? With years of experience in Sydney landscaping, our team can help you create the outdoor space you’ve always wanted without any stress.

Ring Intreeg Landscapes now at 0406 292 222 and ask one of our friendly professionals to show you how we can assist in creating a beautiful, functional landscape that will stand the test thousands of years hence.