10 Common Landscaping Problems (And How to Deal With Them)

If you have a backyard, you most probably have faced landscaping problems. Almost every garden and yard has at least one, which can sometimes appear impossible to solve. However, any problem has solutions, and all you need is a little patience to deal with them. Here are the most common problems people have faced, and some suggestions on how to solve them.

1.      A terrain full of rocks

If your yard or garden is too rocky, you might find yourself in a difficult position. Planting is hard in such a soil, as the roots won’t have enough room to develop. Also, your other ideas of landscaping might not coincide with rocky slopes. Removing the rocks might be difficult or almost impossible, so you can look at the bright part. The easiest solutions in this case is to incorporate the rocks in your landscape design. You can do a lot with a rocky terrain, and turn your backyard into a beautiful spot with an intricate appearance. Look for plants that can grow in harsh environments, or use the rocks to create beautiful patterns.

2.      A terrain with plenty of erosion

Erosion occurs when the land is too dry, and cannot be solved with irrigation. If the area undergoing erosion is not rocky, you can bring some stones from a different landscape and build an exquisite design. However, you might not be a fan of a rocky garden. Fortunately, there are other ways to help you combat erosion. Another solution would be to grow a plant patch to cover the eroded area. This will prevent the process from progressing, but it might consume some resources. If you want something to offer you more design options, build some retaining walls. These will keep the land from disappearing, and allow you to be creative when decorating them.

3.      A patch of land which is constantly scorched by the sun

If your garden doesn’t have many trees, you might discover many areas where the land is extremely dry. Living in a warmer region is tough, as many plants won’t survive the scorching sun. In this case, you have to go a little less traditional and opt for exotic plants that are resistant to droughts. The technique you can try is called xeriscaping, which means landscaping with drought-resistant plants. These are mostly succulents and plants that can retain water, and are more common in desert areas. However, they can work wonders in a dry garden. You can combine them with other perennials that resist dryness, and populate the dry patch of land. If you still have other plants that you want to keep in your garden, you can group them all together in a non-dry area. It’s better to choose similar plants that require the same watering habits.

4.      A spot in the garden which is extremely wet

Your garden might struggle with drought, but it might also have to deal with drainage. It can often happen that some parts of your land end up flooded with an excessive quantity of water. This is problematic, as it forms puddles which affect the overall aspect of the garden. In extreme cases, the wetness might be so severe that it puts the foundation of your house in danger. An easy and pretty solution would be to install a French drain in your garden. This consists of a ditch filled with gravel. The ditch might contain a draining pipe or not but, either way, it is a both effective and good-looking way to get rid of the excess water. However, that extra water might have been a bother because you couldn’t grow anything in the garden. Fortunately, there are plenty of pretty plants which can grow in an extremely wet environment.

5.      A spot with too much shade

You might have too many trees in your garden which cover a big part of the terrain in shade, or it might come from buildings or other formations. Either way, it’s easier to take advantage of it than fight it. You can make the shady spot pretty by covering it in plants which love darkness. There are plenty of plants you can use that can thrive in the shade.

6.      Too many mushrooms

Under certain conditions, mushrooms might start spreading all over your garden, causing a quite unpleasant issue. They are very difficult to get rid of and, most of the time, you never succeed in eradicating all of them. Instead of using fungicides or other costly methods, you can fight them in other ways. Mushrooms will stop multiplying to rapidly if the environment is no longer suitable for them. You can start by fixing any possible drainage sources, so the soil won’t be so humid. Also, remove any decaying organic matters, be it creatures, plants, or even tree bark. You can also clip the grass regularly and dig the soil so it stays aerated.

7.      Your garden doesn’t offer you privacy

No matter how much time you enjoy spending in your garden, it automatically becomes unpleasant when your neighbors can see everything you’re doing. You want your garden to be a refuge from the world, so you probably don’t want them to see into your yard, even if you have a good relationship. The easiest solution to solve the privacy issue is to hide your garden with a wall. This might sound bulky and unaesthetic, but the wall can be made of hanging plants. You can put up some frames where the plants can grow, or maybe plant some trees or bushes in this spot. If you want something quicker, you can always build a fence. To stay on the middle ground, you can install a privacy fence. This is thinner, easier to put up, and can be covered in vines or other hanging plants.

8.      Pests are eating your garden

Just like any crop or plantation, your own garden can become the victim of pests. Fortunately, this is one of the easiest landscaping problems you might be dealing with. There are dozens of pest-control solutions of all types. You can opt for insecticides or poison, but you probably won’t want toxic substances to cover your plants. They can stay unharmed if you choose organic substances. Intruding wildlife can also be included in the pest category, as they eat all your plants whenever they break into your garden. In this case, poison is not an option, but there are many other solutions. You can start by putting fences between the animals and your plants. Depending on the pest, you can either build something bigger or cover the plants with wire cages. Also, there are many products on the market which help you deal with animals. You can buy some sprays which leave an unpleasant smell over your plants, and will definitely drive the intruders away. If this is too expensive, you can always sprinkle some scented soap over the plants. One last solution would be to plant herbs that can resist animal attacks, but make sure you choose something suitable for the pests you are dealing with.

Which Type of Hedge Trimmer is Best for Dealing with Common Landscaping Problems?

When it comes to addressing common landscaping issues, it’s essential to choose the right equipment. Different types of hedge trimmers are available to tackle diverse challenges efficiently. Electric trimmers are perfect for small yards, while cordless trimmers offer versatility and convenience. Gas-powered trimmers are ideal for larger landscapes or tougher jobs, ensuring power and mobility. Consider your specific needs and select the most suitable hedge trimmer for a seamless gardening experience.

9.      Your garden is overtaken by weeds

Weeds are, again, one of the most common landscaping problems, as they disturb the whole balance of the garden. It’s tiring to endlessly pluck them, and eradicating them might affect the plants you want to keep. The savior in this situation is mulch. Mulch is the solution for many landscaping problems. It is of various types, and mainly represents a material which can be sprinkled on the ground between plants. Among the materials, there is hay, straw, leaves, stones, pine straws, or something plastic-based or wood-based. Mulch won’t only get you rid of weeds, but will also give a chic look to your garden.

10. You don’t have time to tend the garden

In the end, the most widespread among landscaping problems is the fact that gardens are quite high-maintenance. You have to water the plants, cut the grass, get rid of weeds or pests, and this takes time. If you don’t do it, your garden will end up looking seriously bad and perturb the whole peace and relaxation feeling. The solution for lazy gardeners is to insert durable materials in their landscape. A design based on stone is incredibly low-maintenance, doesn’t require attention and cleaning, and also looks good. Instead of looking cold, a stone design will make the yard look sophisticated and modern. Another durable material is wood. This might suit your needs better, as it perfectly fits the garden look. Wood is also more welcoming, and might make your guests feel at home whenever you invite them to come over. It might take a while until you convert your garden into a low-maintenance pretty space. However, once you’re done, you’ll never have to worry about mowing, watering, and pest control.

Conclusion

Having a garden comes with great responsibility and dozens of landscaping problems. If you are dedicated enough and want to keep your backyard space pretty, there are plenty of solutions to solve the issues. All you need to do is be creative and open-minded when choosing the plants and decorations, and your garden can immediately turn into a haven of peace and relaxation. Image sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.