Biggest Landscaping Mistakes

Lawn ornaments such as swans, gnomes, religious statues, etc. Too many decorative lawn pieces leads to clutter and it's obnoxious. Choose one piece if any to accentuate your lawn.

Lawn waste like tree leaves, grass clippings, cut down shrubs or pine cones is a lot to keep up with and a lot of work, but you have to get rid of fallen limbs, leaves. If possible, recycle with a compost pile.

Planting incorrectly is a mistake made by many. Planting too close to the home can lead to root issues, limb issues hitting the home or roof and also bug problems. Many bushes or flowers are planted in too much sun or too much shade. Make sure you're planting your trees and shrubs correctly and far enough apart.

Planting too deep will encourage root rot and will suffocate your trees or plants. Make sure you're planting them at the height of the container they come in or look each plant up online to find out each plant's specific depth needs.

Cutting your grass too short is harmful. It will lead to bald spots and browning. During the summer, you want to give it a little more shade so set it to 3 inches. Your lawn will be healthier if you adjust those lawn mower blades.

Your window's view is important. When landscaping, remember the view from inside! All angles of the interior should be thought of when planting trees or view obstructions. Make sure the landscaping is enjoyed inside also. Plant for enjoyment from the inside and out.

Wrong sized pots for plants can cause your plants or flowers to shift, dry out or the roots can become too bunched. Make sure the pot you're using is one size larger than the pot it came in. If there are roots coming out of the bottom of the pot that's the first sign of a needed transplant.

Fertilizing properly is a must. Many either fertilize too much or not enough. Don't be intimidated by fertilizing. Ask your home center for advice and items you'll need. Spring and fall is a must. Mix in new soil with fertilizer when planting. Never fertilize in the bright sun and always water thoroughly when finished.

Picking the wrong plants can lead to unnecessary work and money spent. Pick plants that work best for your yard and sunlight. considering space, shade and climate is key.

Remember the animals! You need to protect your plants from deer, rabbits and other animals that may munch on your flowers or plants. Throw in bitter plants along with the yummy ones and protect the plants if necessary with chicken wire around a garden or proper fencing. If you don't protect, you may be a victim of theft.

Some plants reproduce on their own. One seed today may multiply later. It could end up being a nightmare and also kill your existing landscaping. Make sure you know the final outcome with size and multiplication so you're not dealing with the offspring down the road or a tree to cut down.

Prune properly and prune at the right time. Pruning is an art and you need to be careful. Some plants can be pruned back to almost nothing and some can only be trimmed or pruned half way. Usually fall is the best time to prune. Find out which plants you have and when they need to be pruned.

Too much color is a mistake and scattered flowers everywhere is a mess. Too many different colors leads to chaos and doesn't make any of them pop out individually. Choose one color that frames your home's color. Different shades of that base color is okay but stay within the same palette.

Water frequently. Don't over water and don't under water. An inch of water a week is perfect for most lawns and flower beds. Water deeply but infrequently. The best time of day is early morning. It gives your plants all day to dry and prevents mold and insect growth. Set your sprinklers to morning, not night and make sure you're watering just enough.

Failing to be family friendly is a big mistake many make. How are you going to use the lawn? Do you have kids and pets? Will your landscaping be family friendly? Will your kids be playing ball and landing in a thorny bush? Don't decorate your yard just for looks or curb appeal but also for your family and visitors.

Impulse buying is a big no no! Don't just buy flowers or plants because you see them in the isle and they're gorgeous. Make sure you keep your yard and reality in mind. Make a list and go to the store focused.

Yard monotony is yuck. You're making everything uniform and not diversifying your yard. Using different plants helps maintain soil balance along with insect balance. Stay away from the pallets on sale.

Avoiding maintenance or not doing enough is another mistake. You have to keep up with your garden and lawn. If you know from the beginning you're not going to spend a lot of time maintaining, pick plants or flowers that don't need a lot of upkeep.

Landscape for the seasons not just for spring. Choose plants that grow and look good in most if not all of your seasons.

Don't underestimate the cost of landscaping. It's expensive! Landscaping and quality plants will cost you along with having someone possibly putting things in. 10-15% of the cost of the home is added in to new construction. Remember that when starting all over again or from scratch. Do it once well and you won't have to do it again.

Lighting in your yard is crucial to utilize the beauty in the day along with the night. Exterior lighting is the best way to bring the outside in and the inside out. Nighttime can be one of the most relaxing and fun times to enjoy your yard, make it seen! Light the trunk of a tree and your focal points. It also adds curb appeal, safety and value.

Don't forget the front of the home. Many focus on the backyard when thinking of their landscaping or entertaining but the front yard welcomes and brings them to the back. Keep things simple and neat. Add color and have a popping and appealing front door.

Coordinate your landscaping with your home. Architecture is important to consider. The theme of your exterior should match and reflect your landscaping with a balance.

Make a plan when landscaping and building a theme or design. Make a landscaping budget and layout your lawn according to your budget and choices. Your lawn project will never end or end up a mess if you don't plan ahead. It's easy to fall in love with purple petunias at the home center but if you have nowhere to put them, the point is costly and pointless.

If you're going to be showing your home while it's for sale, simplify your yard and make it neutral for everyone. Take some of your personal likes and items away and save them for your new home that you'll be moving into. Don't forget to remove unnecessary personal items from your deck, yard and porches.

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Curbing Your Curb Appeal

Whether you are trying to sell your home or just make it more appealing, the exterior is the first thing buyers or guests will see. It is important to make sure that from the curb your home is aesthetically pleasing. It does not really matter what the inside looks like if the outside is an instant eye sore or turn off. Adding charm to the exterior also adds value and overall attractiveness to the entire property. Make sure you are not overdoing it or going about it the wrong way. Overkill is not necessary and unfortunately it is prevalent. Learn to let go and curb your curb appeal.

As a Realtor, I can not tell you how many times I have walked onto a property with someone, and the first words were “Uh oh, I hope the inside looks better.” Or “Wow, so far, so good.” Let us focus on the dos and don'ts of proper curb appeal.

Siding should be well kept and painted if needed. Carefully choose a proper color to accentuate the style or features of your home and neighborhood. Bold colors are chancy and have to be selected with caution. It doesn't matter where you are in the country, Every location is different. Some Victorian or traditional homes here in Ohio, in areas such as Lakewood, Rocky River, Cleveland Heights and Beachwood, are best suited for bold colors. If your home is modern, earth tones may clash. Cold colors such as blues and purples typically do not work well with brick homes while pale or neutral colors may drown out a home’s architecture depending on the surroundings and other homes on the street.

Pressure-wash any dingy siding, decking, awnings and porches and replace siding sections that may have dents or flaws. Any mold or moss growth should be removed (Bleach and pressure-wash). Old television antenna or satellite dishes should be taken down and chimney caps in place along with proper flashing.

Windows and screens should all be in tact and cleaned regularly. A stiff bristle hair brush works well for screen build up. New storm doors are a great way to add appeal for a decent price. If your current doors/screens are in need of paint or replacement, it may be something to consider.


Windows in today’s market are looked at seriously and replacement windows are almost expected. New windows can add a wow factor instantly. If you can’t quite swing it, at least make sure your existing windows are sparkling, free of cracks, functional, and there are no missing storms or screens. Paint the window trim if needed. No paint should be chipping or pealing including on the home, porch, awnings, or windows.

The yard should always be looking its best. Bushes and landscaping should be neat and trimmed so that the beauty of your home is seen. The lawn should be edged and flower beds maintained if present. Patches on the lawn should be filled in and weeds removed on a regular basis.

Proper watering is necessary to maintain the work and money you’ve put in. Wild flowers purchased in quarter packets should never be planted if they are going to become overgrown and not kept up. If you have had mulch in the past but have not freshened up the beds with new mulch recently, replace or remove. Ferns on the porch or planted flowers in pots that are now wilting or dead should be removed instantly and flower color choices should not clash with the home’s color scheme.

Too many different style bushes, trees or flowers bunched together can clutter and overcrowd the beauty of each group individually. Complement the landscaping and space accordingly. Large porches should have large planted pots. One small hanging basket on a wrap around country porch is best put away. A happy medium of colors/sizes of flowers and plants is key.

Large trees that are or are starting to hang onto the home or garage should be watched and trimmed often. Not only can it cause harm to your roof but it scares potential buyers away and looks neglectful. Gutters should not have plants growing inside of them. I’m serious. I have seen gutters that have not been cleaned in so long that there is build up and growth.

Make sure all outdoor items that are not being used are put away neatly, including lawnmowers, toys, hoses, garbage cans, and couches and refrigerators on porches. If it does not belong outside, it should not be there.

Address numbers should be the proper size and color for your home or location it is placed. Adding new address numbers or a new mailbox is a cheap and effective way to spruce up the home.

Lighting is also a crucial part of exterior appeal. Solar or ground insert lighting along flowerbeds or walkways should all have bulbs. If one is blown out, the entire effect is ruined. Keep with the same lighting choice. If you’re working with amber lights, stick with amber. Place accent lights near doors and make sure the home looks welcoming after dark.

A home buyer looks at the exterior first. If the items mentioned above are not addressed properly they view it as neglect. If you are neglecting the outside, what should they expect on the inside? Don’t let them raise eyebrows before even stepping foot on the inside. Guests, visitors and neighbors will appreciate your efforts and notice your attention to detail and maintenance. Most importantly, you won’t be coming house, you’ll be coming home. You will reap the benefits and be pleased with your work and homes curb appeal.

Contact our RE/MAX team of expert Realtors in Ohio for more home tips and assistance.