Top Landscaping Mistakes Homeowners Make (And How to Avoid Them)

After 46 years of building landscapes in Minnesota, we've seen the same mistakes repeat themselves over and over. The good news: every one of them is preventable. Here are the most common landscape mistakes homeowners make, why they happen, and what to do instead.

Mistake #1 - Skipping the Drainage Plan

Most homeowners think about plants and patios first, drainage second (or never). But water is the single biggest threat to any landscape investment. We've torn out brand-new patios that were installed without proper grading because the homeowner didn't realize water would pool against the foundation. Before you choose a single material, get a drainage plan.

Mistake #2 - Choosing Plants for Looks, Not Climate

Minnesota Zone 4 is unforgiving. Plants that thrive in nurseries (often grown in milder zones) routinely fail in our winters. Always verify hardiness zone before purchasing. The University of Minnesota Extension publishes excellent winter damage guidance that's worth reading before any major planting.

Mistake #3 - Cutting Corners on Base Preparation

This is the mistake we see most often on patios installed by other contractors. Inadequate base depth, wrong material, no compaction - and within three winters the patio is heaving and shifting. Proper base prep takes longer, costs more upfront, and saves thousands in repairs later. Learn about our landscape installation services and how we approach every project from the ground up.

We've torn out brand-new patios that were installed less than a year earlier because the base prep was wrong. The fix isn't patching - it's starting over.

Gary Speich, Founder

Mistake #4 - Ignoring Long-Term Maintenance

A beautiful landscape installation is only as good as the care it gets. Beds get overgrown. Edges get sloppy. Plants stop performing. Most landscape damage happens gradually - small issues that compound over years. Build a maintenance plan into your project budget from day one. Read about our property care programs to see how we help homeowners stay ahead of it.

Mistake #5 - Trying to DIY Structural Work

Decorative planting? Great DIY project. Building a 4-foot retaining wall? Almost always a mistake. Structural landscape elements (walls, steps, large patios) require engineering knowledge most homeowners don't have. The cost of fixing a failed wall is usually 3x the cost of building it correctly the first time.

How to Avoid These Mistakes

The thread running through every mistake on this list is the same: they all happen at the planning stage, not the execution stage. By the time you're laying stone or planting trees, the most important decisions have already been made. Take the planning seriously.

Get a real consultation before you start

A 30-minute walk-through with someone who knows what they're doing will save you thousands of dollars and years of regret. Schedule a consultation - we do these free of charge.

Buy the right materials, not the cheapest

Material costs are a small fraction of total project cost over the lifetime of a landscape. Going cheap on materials is one of the fastest ways to guarantee you'll be replacing them.

Plan for Minnesota, not Pinterest

Beautiful landscape photos online are usually from milder climates. Make sure every plant, material, and design decision accounts for Minnesota winters specifically.