The Ten Worst Things You Can Do to Your Garden (And What to Do Instead)

A great garden isn’t about perfection—it’s about good decisions made consistently over time. Most struggling gardens aren’t victims of bad luck; they’re suffering from a handful of common (and totally fixable) mistakes. If your landscape feels high-maintenance, messy, or disappointing, one of these may be the culprit.

Let’s talk about the ten worst things you can do to your garden—and how to avoid them.

1. Planting Without a Plan

Impulse buys at the garden center are fun… until you get home and realize you’ve planted a 10-foot-wide shrub in a 3-foot space.

Why it’s a problem:
Crowding leads to constant pruning, stressed plants, and a garden that never looks “finished.”

Do this instead:
Start with mature plant size, sunlight, and soil conditions. A simple plan—even a rough sketch—will save years of frustration.

2. Ignoring Sun and Shade

That “full sun” perennial won’t magically adapt because you love it.

Why it’s a problem:
Wrong light = weak growth, fewer flowers, and disease problems.

Do this instead:
Observe your yard throughout the day and match plants honestly to conditions. The right plant in the right place really is everything.

3. Overwatering

More plants die from too much love than neglect.

Why it’s a problem:
Soggy soil suffocates roots and invites rot, fungus, and pests.

Do this instead:
Water deeply and less often. Improve drainage where needed and let plants establish strong root systems.

4. Planting Aggressive Species in Small Spaces

Some plants are bullies—and they don’t care how carefully you planned.

Why it’s a problem:
Aggressive spreaders quickly crowd out neighbors and turn maintenance into a constant battle.

Designer tip:
Save fast spreaders for large, naturalized areas. In smaller gardens, stick with well-behaved perennials and clump-forming grasses that stay where you put them.

5. Skipping Soil Prep

Plants don’t grow in dirt—they grow in soil.

Why it’s a problem:
Compacted, lifeless soil limits root growth and water absorption.

Do this instead:
Amend soil with compost before planting. Healthy soil means healthier plants and fewer problems long-term.

6. Mulching Incorrectly

Mulch volcanoes are garden killers.

Why it’s a problem:
Piling mulch against stems and trunks traps moisture and causes rot.

Do this instead:
Apply 2–3 inches of mulch, keeping it pulled back from plant crowns and tree trunks.

7. Pruning at the Wrong Time

Just because you can prune doesn’t mean you should.

Why it’s a problem:
Improper timing removes flower buds and weakens plants.

Do this instead:
Know whether plants bloom on old or new wood and prune accordingly. When in doubt, prune less.

8. Treating Every Plant the Same

Gardens aren’t one-size-fits-all.

Why it’s a problem:
Different plants have different needs—forcing uniform care leads to underperformers.

Do this instead:
Group plants with similar water, light, and maintenance needs together for easier care and better results.

9. Fighting Nature Instead of Working With It

Trying to maintain a perfect lawn in deep shade or a lush border in bone-dry soil is an uphill battle.

Why it’s a problem:
Constant inputs, high costs, and disappointing outcomes.

Designer tip:
Let your site guide your design. When you work with your conditions, the garden practically takes care of itself.

10. Expecting Instant Results

Gardens are not overnight projects.

Why it’s a problem:
Impatience leads to overplanting, overpruning, and unnecessary replacements.

Do this instead:
Think in seasons and years, not weeks. A well-planned garden improves with time—and that’s part of the reward.