6 Things That Immediately Make Your Garden Look Bad, According to Gardeners

Gardening isn't an exact science—even the most seasoned horticulturists sometimes get things wrong. However, if you constantly have to do garden makeovers because your lawn quickly turns brown or your plants fail to thrive, you could be unknowingly making common landscaping mistakes.

We asked the experts about the things that immediately make your garden bad and how to avoid them to help your lawn and flower beds flourish.

Planting Without a Plan

It's easy to get carried away when you see all the beautiful plants in your local garden center. However, Master Gardener Nicole Dillon says that buying too many different kinds of plants without considering color, shape, growth habits, and required conditions can quickly make your garden look chaotic. 

When planning your planting, avoid these mistakes: 

• Too much variation: This can make your flower beds look cluttered and chaotic. “There is a place for single specimens in the garden but limit these purchases,” Dillon says “Groupings and repeating elements always bring continuity to your space.”
• Wrong plant, wrong place: You might have selected low-maintenance, readily available, and bright marigolds for your flower beds, but if your yard doesn't get enough light, these full sun lovers won't thrive. “Know your growing environment before selecting plants and choose plants accordingly. Or improve your growing conditions—prune trees to let in more light or amend your garden soil to improve drainage,” Horticulturist Amy Enfield says. 
• Overcrowding: Consider spacing when planting. “Overcrowded plants can stretch as they compete for light, get choked out by faster-growing neighbors, and are more prone to disease issues because of poor air circulation,” Enfield says. 

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Bad Watering Techniques

Getting watering wrong is one of the most common things that immediately makes your garden bad—whether that's on lawns or in flower beds.

Many novice gardeners water all their plants with the same frequency and provide the same amount. However, Enfield points out that requirements vary by species, and grouping plants by moisture requirements can help simplify watering tasks and minimize mistakes.  

“The time of day that you water can also affect the overall health and appearance of your garden,” Enfield says. “The best time to water is early morning before 10:00 am. Avoid watering during the hottest part of the day (10:00 am to 2:00 pm).”

Enfield says it's also usually best to avoid overhead watering. Watering at the base of the plant means most of the moisture reaches the roots, and it reduces the spread of disease by keeping the leaves dry.

Plant genetics and breeding expert Matthew Koch says that another common mistake is over or underwatering your lawn, stressing the grass. He advises adjusting how often and how long you water your lawn for depending on the season. 

“Typically, lawns need about 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week in the warmer months, while cooler seasons may require far less to prevent overwatering and root rot,” Koch says.

Neglecting Weeding

If you don't take appropriate prompt action to control weeds, they can quickly overrun your landscape, making it look bad. Enfield explains that it also means they compete with desirable plants for nutrients, water, and light.

“Weeds are easier to remove when they are caught early before they have a chance to become established, spread, or set seed,” Enfield says. 

Getting Lawn Height Wrong

It’s not just letting your grass grow too long that can quickly make your lawn look bad. Koch says that homeowners often mow their lawns too short.

“Grass length plays a large role in overall lawn health, so using a quality mower that allows for proper adjustments can make a big difference in the appearance and health of your grass,” Koch says.

The ideal grass-cutting height depends on your grass type, how long the grass is before you cut it, and your climate.

However, as a general guide, cool-season grasses do well being cut to 3 to 4 inches high and warm-season grasses to about 2 to 2 ½ inches high.

Overlooking Yard Cleanup 

Don't just focus on raking leaves when cleaning up your yard. Letting debris such as twigs, grass clippings, and pulled or pruned plants build up around your garden quickly makes it look cluttered and grubby. 

“Regularly removing debris not only keeps the garden tidy but helps prevent disease by allowing for proper airflow and making it less likely that critters will be nesting near your home for winter,” Dillon says. 

However, Dillon cautions against getting carried away with fall cleanup. 

“While some perennials, like peonies, should absolutely be cut back, many can remain standing throughout winter, and pruning should be postponed until Spring,” Dillon says. “Ornamental grasses provide movement and interest in the winter garden, and coneflowers provide seed for birds during the winter months.”

Ignoring Yard Furniture and Decor

Focusing on essential gardening tasks like watering, mowing, and fertilizing means it's easy to forget about your yard furniture and decor. However, a dirty, shabby garden table and chairs immediately make your yard look unloved.

Dillon says fall is a good time to evaluate non-plant elements in the garden. Deep clean things like furniture, fountains, and bird baths. If your furniture looks sun-bleached or broken, consider making repairs or replacing it.