Top Landscaping Mistakes That Are Costing You Time and Money

A beautiful yard doesn’t happen by accident—but a lot of mistakes do.

Many homeowners pour time, money, and effort into landscaping only to end up with dying plants, drainage problems, or outdoor spaces that don’t serve their needs.

At Salas Outdoors, we see it all the time—and we’re here to help you avoid it. Whether you're DIY-ing your yard or working with a contractor, these are the most common landscaping mistakes homeowners make—and how to fix them.

1. Planting Without a Plan

One of the biggest mistakes is jumping in without a proper design.

When you:

• Buy plants without considering size or placement
• Ignore sunlight or water requirements
• Overcrowd beds with no structure

…your yard ends up looking messy and unbalanced.

✅ A professional landscape design ensures your layout is functional, cohesive, and tailored to your property.

2. Ignoring Drainage Issues

Water is powerful—and if it doesn’t drain properly, it can ruin everything.

Common signs of drainage mistakes:

• Standing water after rain
• Erosion or exposed roots
• Mold near your home’s foundation
• Water pooling around patios or walkways

✅ Salas Outdoors incorporates grading, French drains, and catch basins into your design to keep your yard dry and healthy.

3. Choosing the Wrong Plants

Not all plants work well in every yard.

Mistakes include:

• Choosing species that don’t match your zone
• Overwatering drought-tolerant plants
• Putting full-sun plants in shady areas
• Using invasive plants that spread out of control

✅ We select low-maintenance, climate-appropriate plants that thrive in your environment and support long-term success.

4. Skipping Soil Prep

Even the best plants won’t thrive in poor soil.

Homeowners often skip:

• Soil testing
• Adding compost or organic matter
• Aeration and grading before planting

✅ We assess and amend your soil before any installation so your landscaping grows strong from day one.

5. Overlooking Maintenance Needs

That gorgeous landscape might look great on day one—but will it still shine three months later?

Common oversights:

• High-maintenance plants with too much pruning
• Water-thirsty turf without irrigation
• Mulch that degrades too quickly
• Forgetting weed barriers in flower beds

✅ Our designs focus on easy-to-maintain landscaping so you spend more time enjoying your yard—not working on it.

6. Not Using Edging or Borders

Without proper borders, flower beds blur into lawns, mulch spreads onto walkways, and your yard starts to look unkempt fast.

Good edging:

• Defines spaces
• Keeps mulch in place
• Reduces weed spread
• Enhances curb appeal

✅ We install long-lasting stone, metal, or concrete edging that complements your design and boosts structure.

7. Forgetting Lighting

Your landscape might look amazing—during the day.

But at night?

• Walkways disappear
• Guests can’t see where they’re going
• You lose the visual impact of key features

✅ Salas Outdoors offers landscape lighting design to highlight focal points, improve safety, and extend your yard’s usability after dark.

8. Thinking Short-Term Instead of Long-Term

Quick fixes might save time now—but they’ll cost you later.

For example:

• Using cheap materials that deteriorate quickly
• Planting too close to the house or each other
• Cutting corners on grading or hardscape foundations

✅ We think long-term with every project—from layout and spacing to material choices and durability.

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