Homeowners tend to undervalue their backyards to an extent. Done correctly, the exterior part of the property doesn’t just become an extra living space; it can become your favourite part of your home.
With that said, great backyards don’t just happen. They’re made. The good news is that pretty much anyone with motivation to get their yard into shape can do so, and they’ll be even more likely to succeed if they can avoid the all-too-common gardening mistakes that beginners are liable to make.
We’ve put together a list of some of the most frequently seen errors below. Take them on board, and not only will you be more likely to end up with a backyard that you’re proud of, but you’ll also find that you were able to create the space with minimal difficulty.
Marathon Gardening Days
There’s a reason why many homeowners think of backyard work as a chore, and that’s that they try to do everything in one day. Spending eight hours on a Sunday can produce good results, but it’ll also significantly increase the risk of gardening burnout. Plus, you’ll be more likely to wake up on Monday with body pain.
Rather than trying to do everything on a single day every four weeks, look at breaking up your gardening-related tasks into more manageable chunks. It’s much easier — and enjoyable — to spend fifteen minutes tidying up your garden a few times a week, rather than trying to do everything in one day.
Buying Heavy, Oversized Tools
You’ll be spending a lot of time with tools in your hands, so it’s advisable to ensure that you can use the equipment comfortably. All too often, beginner gardeners buy the largest, most powerful tools on the market, not realising that they’re overkill for what they’re trying to achieve. You won’t necessarily get better results, but you will be more likely to end up with arm pain from lugging the tool around your garden. Using an electric weed eater, hedge trimmer, or pruner is often much better than using a gas-powered model, since not only are they just as effective, but they’re also significantly lighter and quieter. The bottom line? When it comes to choosing gardening tools, pay attention to the weight — your body will thank you.
Trying to Get Grass In An Impossible Area
It’s good to have a vision when you’re putting together an outdoor space that you love, but it’s also important to keep in mind that a little bit of flexibility really can make your gardening journey a lot more enjoyable. You might wish to have grass in one particular part of your garden, but if it receives no sunlight or minimal rainfall, then there’s little value in trying to force the grass to grow. You’ll only end up spending more time, effort, and money on something that even the most talented of gardeners would find an uphill task.
If the grass won’t grow, then switch to plan B. Bark chippings or decorative stone can look great, and will cause you significantly less hassle.
Forgetting That Plants Can Grow
It’s easy to fall in love with plants when they’re in their infancy, but that’s not necessarily how they’ll look once they’re mature. Plants that provide lovely decoration when they’re first put in the ground may end up blocking your view or crowding out the space once they’re fully grown.
This issue is pretty easy to avoid. Simply check the label to learn how tall/large the plant will be once mature. Remember that while you’ll want your garden to look nice on the first day that you’ve got it in check, it’s best to keep in mind what it’ll look like in five years' time, too.
Overlooking How You’ll Actually Use The Space
Some homeowners plan their garden as if they’re a work of art that they’ll admire from afar. In reality, while your backyard can be a work of art, you’ll want it to be an immersive work of art. Spending long hours in your garden, basking in the beauty and the sunlight, is one of the primary draws of creating a great backyard in the first place.
So it’s best to avoid becoming overly obsessed with the plants and how the space will look, and so forth. Also consider how you’ll actually use the space. Is there enough space for outdoor dining tables, seating, and loungers? Have you left enough room so that your extended family and friends can come round on summer days?
Being Too Ambitious
It’s easy to become inspired by the Chelsea Flower Show and wish to have those wonderfully exotic plants in your backyard. However, it’s also worth remembering that while those plants can look fantastic, they’re also pretty hard work to grow and keep alive. You might one day wish to set yourself the challenge of growing those difficult plants, but when you’re first getting started, it’s best to start with the easy-to-grow plants that require minimal work.
If you do wish to challenge yourself, then at least limit yourself to just one ‘diva’ plant.
Not Thinking About Year-Round Use
Once you’ve gotten your backyard into shape, you’ll have grand plans to spend as much time as possible enjoying the space.
But you can only do that if you can sit out there comfortably. Rainfall, chilly weather, and even too much sunshine can push you indoors. While you can hope for those perfectly agreeable weather days, it’s recommended to have a plan for the other days, which will account for the vast bulk of days in the year. Having some sort of rain cover — a pergola works well — and a heat source (such as a firepit) will allow you to stay outdoors even when the weather is a little wet and chilly, while sun umbrellas will allow you to stay outside even during the sunniest parts of the day.
And there we have it! Ultimately, putting together a great backyard can be straightforward or challenging, depending on your approach, so take the tips above to make it as easy as possible.
