When putting in a garden or new landscaping it’s easy to get ahead of yourself by simply buying plants and putting them in wherever there’s room. But that kind of haphazard horticulture can quickly become problematic according to Ben Hare, owner of Garden City Landscapes in Silverton.
“If you don’t have a plan, your landscaping will come out disorganized and unappealing,” Hare said. “You may also find yourself wasting time, money, and resources on mistakes that could have been easily avoided by making a detailed plan in advance.”
One of the most common errors novice gardeners make is not looking to the future.
“In terms of landscaping mistakes, this is a pretty major one,” Hare pointed out. “Not taking maintenance into account can lead to unnecessary expenses, wasted time, and frustration. Additionally, certain plants may require more maintenance than others. Thus, they may not be suitable for your lifestyle or budget.”
After working in landscape maintenance and design for the past 19 years, Hare has witnessed a fair share of gardens gone wrong – plants placed too close together, too close to structures or allowed to grow too big – all errors could have been avoided had the owners taken the time to design, or hire someone to design for them, first.
“Having a landscape architect design your landscape can be very helpful for many reasons,” Hare said. “You will have a clearer idea of what the finished landscape will look like and a better idea of what to budget for. It can also be helpful when looking to get quotes from landscape contractors.”
“Just like a car or house, regular maintenance helps prevent costly repairs. For example, if shrubs become overgrown, they may not be able to be pruned and will have to be removed and replaced. If weeds get out of control it will lead to a more labor intense clean-up which can be more expense than regular weed control,” Hare added.
Once again, it all comes down to planning.
“Even if you are going to be installing your landscape in phases,” Hare said, “make sure you have an overall plan so the whole landscape looks cohesive.”
And so, get the most from your outside space.
“The options are endless,” Hare said, “but you need to prioritize…Depending on your space and budget you might be able to create a space that has it all…” But you may just need a little help.
– Melissa Wagoner
