8 Landscaping Mistakes I’ve Made (So You Don’t Have To)
When we bought our house, I spent that entire first summer dreaming of long days in a lush, perfectly manicured garden. I pictured big, fluffy hydrangeas, grass so thick you could nap on it, and a wall of greenery so dense I wouldn’t even see our neighbours.
What I didn’t picture? How hard it would be to get there—and just how many mistakes I’d make along the way.
Now, four summers in, our yard still doesn’t match the image I had in my head. To be fair, we’ve made a ton of progress, but it’s definitely been a “two steps forward, one step back” kind of journey. So, in the spirit of saving someone else a few missteps (and a few hundred dollars), here are the biggest lessons I’ve learned the hard way:
Mistake #1: Planting Shrubs Too Close Together
In my rush to get that “finished” look, I crammed our beds full of fast-growing shrubs without really considering how big they’d eventually get. Three years later, they’re overcrowded and competing for space—and I’m now faced with having to remove or relocate several of them. If I’d done a little more research on spacing and mature size, I wouldn’t be setting aside a few weekends this summer for digging and redoing.
Mistake #2: Ignoring the Full-Grown Shape of Shrubs
I planted lilacs in front of our deck, imagining a beautiful, fragrant hedge. But lilacs aren’t exactly compact, and they tend to get leggy if not properly maintained. Three years later, they’re much taller (and scragglier) than I’d envisioned. Looking back, a better choice might’ve been something like boxwood—more predictable and easier to shape.
Mistake #3: Overlooking Bloom Timing
This one’s a bit nitpicky, but when I first replanted our beds, I focused on hardy, low-maintenance native shrubs. They’re easy, yes—but also kind of… boring. There’s no progression of color or bloom throughout the season. At this point, I can either live with that decision or take on the work of replanting. And if I’m being honest, I know I’ll end up going with the latter. So, at some point this summer, I’ll start replacing a few of our existing shrubs with perennials that bloom between the lilacs and hydrangeas to keep the garden visually interesting all season long. It’s best foot forward in the long run, but no part of me is looking forward to digging up yet another shrub.
Mistake #4: Not Researching Shrub Varieties
As I previously mentioned, I had a very specific vision in mind when we bought our home: giant, fluffy white hydrangeas. Instead of finding out which hydrangea gave that look (hint: it's the Incrediball), I just bought whatever was available. They’re lovely—but not at all what I wanted. A little Googling would have saved me some regret (and even more replanting).
Mistake #5: Ordering Landscape Rock Without Seeing It First
This one still stings. After weeks of obsessing over photos of decorative rock, I ordered what I thought was a deep charcoal grey. What I got? Pale grey stone that completely clashes with our cobblestone walkway. Turns out, the landscaping company used generic stock photos on their site. I didn’t notice the mistake until it was all dumped in our driveway. As a designer, I can’t believe I didn’t go see it in person first.
Mistake #6: Skipping Soil Prep Before Laying Sod
Twice now, I’ve installed sod without properly prepping the soil underneath. Both times, I skipped adding compost and just crossed my fingers for sake of getting the job done. Surprise: the grass looks tired and patchy literally a year later. Lesson learned—healthy soil is everything.
Mistake #7: Not Testing Soil pH
This goes hand-in-hand with the last point. For years, I guessed my way through fertilizer and lime applications to fix dead spots caused by dog pee and acidic conifer debris. Nothing worked. This year I finally bought a soil pH tester (they're super affordable, by the way). Turns out our soil is very acidic. At least now I know what I’m up against.
Mistake #8: Not Installing an Underground Sprinkler System
Okay, this one isn’t exactly a mistake—more like a lingering item on my dream to-do list. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned through all of this, it’s that a picture-perfect yard (the kind you see all over Pinterest) takes a lot of work. And as much as I wish I were that person who joyfully hauls a sprinkler around every evening… I’m just not. One day, I would love to have an underground irrigation system. It might not fix everything, but I’m pretty sure it would make things a whole lot easier.
The Silver Lining
Despite all the trial and error, our yard has come a long way—and that’s something I’m proud of. It's far from perfect, but it’s evolving. Slowly. Thoughtfully. And I’m learning that sometimes, the slow build is more rewarding than rushing to the finish line. Each summer brings new growth, not just in the garden, but in my confidence, too.
If you’re in the thick of landscaping mistakes right now—just know you’re not alone. Progress over perfection, always.
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BY EMILY RADKIE
