5 Common Garden Maintenance Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)

16 April 20253 min readLaurens van den Assem

A beautiful, well-maintained garden requires attention and the right care. Yet in practice, mistakes are often made that hinder the growth and appearance of your garden. In this article, you will read about five common mistakes and how to easily avoid them so that you can have the best garden in the neighbourhood!

1. Watering too often (or too little)

Watering seems simple, but it often goes wrong. Many people give a little water every day, while watering less frequently but more deeply is actually better. This encourages roots to grow deeper. Too much water causes root rot, while too little leads to withered plants. The solution? Check the soil: if it still feels moist a few centimetres deep, it's better to wait a bit longer before watering.

2. Pruning at the wrong time

Pruning keeps your garden tidy and stimulates growth, but timing is crucial. Many people prune in spring, for example, while some shrubs already have buds or flowers. Or they cut back in autumn, which makes plants vulnerable to frost. Learn when to prune each plant: spring-flowering plants should be pruned after flowering, and summer-flowering plants in spring. Tip: there are various handy pruning calendars online that can help you with this.

3. Wrong plants in the wrong place

Every plant has a preferred spot: sun, shade, moist or dry soil. Yet plants are often placed randomly, with disappointing results. For example, if you put a sun-loving lavender in the shade, it will remain sparse and hardly bloom. The same applies the other way around: shade plants can burn in full sun. Always read the plant label or get advice at the garden centre, so that your plants are placed where they can truly thrive.

4. Leaving weeds 'until it gets bad'

Weeds grow very quickly and compete with your plants for water, light and nutrients. Many people wait until it's worth weeding, but by then it's often out of control. Some weed species also spread via roots or seeds, making the problem worse quickly. By removing weeds regularly at an early stage, especially after rain, you keep weeds in check.

5. Forgetting to fertilise or fertilising incorrectly

Plants need nutrients to stay healthy. Yet fertilisation is often overlooked or applied incorrectly. Too much fertiliser can damage roots or disrupt soil life, while too little fertiliser leads to weak growth and a dull appearance of your plants. Therefore, use the right fertiliser at the right time and take into account the needs of your plants and soil type.

Conclusion

With the right attention, you can avoid common mistakes that unnecessarily hinder your garden. By watering, pruning, fertilising and controlling weeds more consciously, you get the best out of your garden. A little knowledge and timing make all the difference, and your garden will thank you!