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A well-maintained yard can be a relaxing retreat, but it can also increase the curb appeal and even the value of your home.
But, if done incorrectly, efforts to improve your outdoor space can make it look cheap.
From choosing the wrong pots to, counterintuitively, being also The Mail’s garden editor Tidy looks at the 11 common mistakes that can cheapen your garden, rather than help it thrive.
When tidy is too tidy
Many of us grew up with strict ideas about well-kept gardens, with grass well mowed and weeds pulled. But that is no longer the predominant aesthetic.
Letting go a little and being a little messy can lead to a shelter looking more expensive. And leaving the plants you sowed yourself in the summer and the seeds in the winter will make your garden look more expensive and abundant. Phew!
Wildflower beds with their own plants are now the predominant aesthetic
Yellow is not soft.
Don’t get me wrong, I have a soft spot for bright yellow flowers, like daffodils and sunflowers. But these striking flowers must be used in the right context.
Large garden beds the color of a hi-vis vest? It’s a no. Yellow is difficult to combine with other colors and should be used sparingly.
The dangers of artificial grass
The quickest way to make your yard look affordable is to lay down artificial grass. Used widely in sports facilities, artificial grass became popular because it does not need to be mowed or watered, making it considered low-maintenance and durable. But it almost always seems unpleasant.
Furthermore, the disadvantages far outweigh the benefits. It is ruinous to wildlife and contributes to global warming by absorbing more radiation than live grass, which acts as a carbon sink. Natural grass allows rainwater to be absorbed, while artificial grass can cause runoff after heavy rains that cause flooding.
In hot climates, it can reach dangerous temperatures, especially for pets who could burn their paws. Additionally, it only has a lifespan of ten to 20 years, after which it is difficult to recycle.
Bare fences without soul
Bare fences can make your yard look boxy and cheap. There are many easy climbers you can plant to soften the feel and make your garden look more luxurious.
Star Jasmine is a beautiful evergreen with pretty white flowers, while the climbing hydrangea is good for a shady corner.
If you want privacy, remember that evergreen hedges cannot be more than 2m high, according to the Tall Hedges Act. Instead, try planting deciduous silver birches with attractive white trunks and green foliage in summer when you are in the garden.
Don’t settle for plastic furniture
Molded plastic chairs are unsightly and should be avoided at all costs. Plus, they’re uncomfortable and will fall off if you lean too far back or cut into any bare flesh unlucky enough to touch the seat.
If your budget doesn’t stretch to new wood, rattan or metal alternatives, search for local groups online to see if anyone has second-hand sun loungers or outdoor dining sets on sale.
If you’re willing to buy something used and worn, it can often cost less but look more expensive.
Fine borders, a thing of the past
Narrow flower beds around the edge of a rectangular lawn used to be considered the ideal garden design, but these days it seems lacking.
The edges should be at least one meter deep to allow planting in several layers. Don’t just place them around the perimeter of your garden. Flower beds used to divide a space add a touch of mystery and look much more elegant.
Gadgets and gazebos
Barbecues, fire pits, corner sofas, gazebos, oversized paddling pools – it’s easy for your outdoor space to become filled with so many garden items that you can’t move around without tripping over them.
Decide what you really need and use it often, then recycle the rest. Or store them carefully in the shed until you want to use them.
Plastic pot horror
It is difficult to keep plants in good condition in plastic containers, even those that try to imitate terracotta.
In addition to the lack of sustainability, the problem with plastic is that, unlike materials such as wood and stone, it does not protect plants against drying out in summer and freezing in winter, and it is not breathable.
If you have plastic pots, reuse them for propagation and save your best non-plastic containers for display.
Paving the way to disaster
Every gardener needs a place to sit, but this shouldn’t come at the cost of losing too much grass.
Ideally there would be a ratio of at least two-thirds planting and turf to one-third hardscape. If you are installing a new patio, consider leaving spaces between the pavers for low plants such as creeping thyme and Mind-Your-Own-Business, which will also help with drainage.
If you want to park your car in the front garden, choose a permeable surface with plants along the edges.
Flying greenhouses
I must confess that I have one of these mini shelves covered with a transparent plastic zipper cover. But after it fell outside too many times in windy weather, despite being tied to the wall, I brought it into our shed where I now use it as a propagation unit. A pile of overturned seed trays and spilled soil adds nothing to curb appeal.
Remove dead potted plants
A well-tended potted planting can give a cheerful welcome to a garden or balcony, but there is nothing as unpleasant as being greeted by a collection of dead, shriveled and unidentifiable potted plants.
Avoid this by researching and choosing plants that you like and that encourage you to water and feed them regularly. Having a water tank nearby makes this task much easier.
