3 Landscaping Mistakes Most New Homeowners Make

When you are a renter, nothing sounds like more fun than owning your own home and caring for a yard. Unfortunately, landscaping usually ends up being a lot more challenging than most people anticipate. Here are three landscaping mistakes that most new homeowners make and the types of problems they can cause.  

1: Not Using Indigenous Plants

As soon as a nice Saturday rolls around after you move into your new place, you might be tempted to run to your nearest garden center and pick up a slew of pretty plants. Unfortunately, different plants originate from different climates, and not every shrub or flower will work well in your yard.

When you select plants, it is important to find varieties that are indigenous to the area. Plants that thrive naturally in the climate where you live are more likely to grow and develop, even if you make a few missteps along the way. If you forget to fertilize the ground or issue that extra dose of water, an indigenous plant might be more likely to survive than varieties that don't grow naturally in your area.

2: Planting Trees Close to your House

Everyone likes the cooling power of a nice, shady tree, so some people make the mistake of planting trees right next to their home. Unfortunately, planting trees close to your house can cause some seriously expensive problems down the road.

As trees grow vertically, their roots dig deeper and deeper into the ground and surrounding structures. When trees are planted close to your house, they might end up digging through your plumbing lines or even into your foundation.

To avoid dealing with serious home repairs, you should never plant trees close to your home. Experts recommend planting small trees about 8-10 feet away from your house, and large trees about 20 feet from your home. Keeping a little distance will give the tree enough room to grow, without compromising your home's structural integrity.  

3: Not Accounting For Water Runoff

Sometimes people forget to think about where water naturally flows from their home. Instead of accounting for things like downspouts and hills, people pick spots for flower gardens and shrubs completely based on looks. Unfortunately, plants can suffer from being over-watered too, which is why you should carefully account for natural water runoff.

Think about where your sprinkler system heads are, and how water flows away from your house during rainstorms. Sometimes, it might even be helpful to go outside during a heavy storm with an umbrella, and watch the path that water takes. Try not to plant things in areas that tend to become marshy, as they might have a tough time accommodating for all of the moisture.

Understanding the types of issues that a few simple landscaping errors can cause might help you to make better decisions, so that your yard stays beautiful and healthy. Consult a professional, like Oliver's Landscaping & Garden Service, LLC, as you get started.