Creating a beautiful and functional outdoor space is a dream for many homeowners in the Okanagan region. However, achieving the perfect landscape is an investment and often comes with many unexpected challenges and mistakes along the road. At Synergy Landscaping, we understand how easy it is to make mistakes that can quickly turn your exciting project into a fixer-upper which can be quite frustrating—and expensive.
We’ve seen it all, from poor plant planning to neglected landscape maintenance, and we’re here to help you catch these errors before it's too late. Whether you’ve got a green thumb or are just starting out the process of beautifying your outdoor living space, this guide will provide you with practical tips and solutions to avoid common mistakes and create a landscape that you'll love for years to come.
Create a well-defined (and designed!) landscape plan and stick to it
One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make is diving into landscaping projects without a clear plan. Without a defined plan to rely on, you may end up with a design that does not fit your space or purpose and lacks cohesion. Instead, take the time to create a detailed plan that includes your goals, budget, desired features, and a rough sketch of your envisioned layout. At Synergy, our team of expert landscapers can provide you with professional consultation for your landscape. We’ll walk through your site, consider options and ensure it aligns with your vision, plans for the future and appropriate maintenance for a sustainable space.
Don’t overcrowd your plants!
When the time comes to pick out plants for your outdoor space, it's only natural to pick several varieties and colours for a lush, vibrant look. Although the temptation is strong, don’t give in! Overcrowding can not only look overwhelming but also hinder plant growth and create maintenance headaches in the long run. You should choose fewer plants, so they have ample space to grow and spread out, also keep in mind the size your plants will grow to when they reach maturity and space them out accordingly. The common saying ‘less is more’ holds true for your landscape design too. Our landscapists at Synergy have tons of experience creating custom landscape design plans to fit your space, so if you’re hitting a wall, we can help! Here are some additional tips on planting for year-round beauty.
Neglecting proper landscape maintenance
A beautifully landscaped yard requires ongoing care and maintenance to keep it looking its best. Neglecting maintenance tasks can quickly undo all your hard work and not to forget—investment. This is why, you should create a maintenance schedule that includes tasks such as watering, fertilizing, pruning, and weeding. This will help you avoid expensive mistakes and allow you to stay on top of regular maintenance to preserve the health and beauty of your landscape. We offer all of the above landscape maintenance services for Okanagan homeowners and more, we also customize our packages to suit your home’s lawn or garden, and you won’t even have to lift a finger!
Failing to consider the functionality of your landscape design
While aesthetics are important, it's essential not to overlook the functionality of your landscape because what’s the point of a pretty space that you can’t fully enjoy? Failing to consider how you will use the space can result in a design that doesn't meet your practical needs. Before designing your landscape, think about how you will use the space. Do you need areas for entertaining, playing, or relaxing? Maybe you need all three, and they will have to be sectioned off in a way that’s pleasing to the eye and functional.
Features such as patios, pathways, and seating areas can enhance usability and flow. That being said, did you know that the term ‘synergy’ to us is the feeling when everything flows? Safe to say we’re proficient at making landscapes shine; we can work with you to blend functionality and aesthetics in a seamless way that meets all your needs.
Not factoring in outdoor lighting
We all know lighting makes ALL the difference, whether you want to amp up the mood, highlight certain features or make your outdoor space feel cozy. However, many homeowners planning their landscape design in Kelowna consider lighting as an afterthought. Apart from beauty, it also factors in safety, so it is crucial to include it in your landscape plan from the get-go. A mix of lighting elements, such as pathway lights, uplights, and accent lights, to illuminate key features after dark is a good way to start. You could also consider installing timers or smart lighting systems for added convenience and energy efficiency so you can save a bit on your utility bills. At Synergy, we’re all about creating ambient spaces and have helped plenty of Okanagan residents spruce up their outdoor spaces. If you need help with ideas or installing exterior landscape features, we’ve got you covered.
Rushing the landscape design & build process
Cutting corners never ends well and always leads to double the effort and cost to fix; this applies to landscaping, too; it is not a project to be rushed. Taking shortcuts or trying to complete the project too quickly can result in a space that you are not entirely happy with, which will take time to rectify. So to avoid delaying enjoying your outdoor space, take your time during the landscape planning and implementation stages of your project. At Synergy, we’ll work with you from concept to completion to give you the backyard you’ve always dreamed of; we don’t believe in cutting corners and will get to know your project and vision in as much detail as possible for the best outcome. We know that good things take time, and the end result will be worth the wait.
We’re lucky to live in the breathtaking Okanagan region and the best part is being able to enjoy the outdoor environment, so why let common landscaping mistakes cost you your peace and beautiful space? If it all seems too daunting to plan, Synergy Landscaping can take care of all your landscape design needs, just reach out to us, and our team will take care of your vision.
Ready to dig deep and build sustainably? Synergy offers comprehensive landscape maintenance and design services in Kelowna and surrounding areas. We can take care of all your needs. Contact us and leaf your landscaping woes behind!