Many homeowners dream of a beautiful outdoor space, but too often their DIY landscaping plans fall short because they feel overwhelmed, and there are too many factors to consider. Whether it’s due to poor planning, improper plant selection, or overlooking critical long-term factors, landscape design mistakes are surprisingly common—and costly. At North Coral Landscaping, we help Winnipeg homeowners avoid these pitfalls with thoughtful, expert-led landscape design services tailored to your outdoor space, lifestyle, local wildlife and climate. Today we want to go over the top 10 common landscaping mistakes—and how our experienced team can help you avoid them.
1. Skipping the Planning Phase
Mistake: Jumping straight into planting without a cohesive landscape design.
Why It’s a Problem: This often leads to mismatched aesthetics, poor functionality, and an under-utilized space.
North Coral’s Fix: Our landscape designers and landscape architect begin every project with a detailed design plan—complete with layout drawings, plant selection, and 3D renderings for both front and back yards. When you start planning with intention, you save money, avoid future problems, and create a more visually appealing space.
2. Choosing the Wrong Plants
Mistake: Selecting plants without considering soil conditions, sun exposure, or Winnipeg’s climate.
Why It’s a Problem: The wrong plants can result in stunted plant growth, disease, or the need for constant replacement and higher maintenance costs.
North Coral’s Fix: We source plants from trusted local nurseries and only choose native plants and perennials suited to your soil, local climate, and maintenance needs. From fruit trees to shrubs, our comprehensive understanding of local species ensures your garden flourishes.
3. Poor Drainage Planning
Mistake: Ignoring water flow and drainage systems.
Why It’s a Problem: Water pooling can cause soil erosion on your lawn, puddling, and even foundation damage to your grass.
North Coral’s Fix: We incorporate grading, maintenance and drainage strategies during the planning phase to protect your investment long-term. Whether it’s channeling rainwater away from your home or preventing waterlogged roots, we help you maintain a healthy soil system long-term.
4. Overlooking Seasonal Interest
Mistake: Designing for just one season.
Why It’s a Problem: You’ll end up with a bland landscape during fall and winter, and it can reduce aesthetic appeal for potential buyers.
North Coral’s Fix: Our landscape designs include interest for all four seasons using ornamental grasses, trees, hardy evergreen shrubs, perennials, and seasonal blooms. This ensures your yard remains beautiful from the first spring thaw through the depths of winter.
5. Misplaced Hardscaping
Mistake: Installing patios, walkways, or fire pits in awkward and impractical locations.
Why It’s a Problem: This disrupts flow, functionality, and enjoyment of your outdoor space.
North Coral’s Fix: We consider how much space you actually use and need. Using 3D visualization tools, we optimize layout before installation—making room for outdoor grilling, dining areas, or elements like a cozy fire pit that invites you to dine outdoors under the stars.
6. Lack of Lighting Planning
Mistake: Forgetting about outdoor lighting.
Why It’s a Problem: Poor lighting affects safety, security, and curb appeal after dark.
North Coral’s Fix: Our packages include integrated lighting designs to enhance your garden’s visual appeal and improve visibility for early morning or nighttime use. Light up walkways, highlight key features, and extend the time you can enjoy your yard.
7. Ignoring Maintenance Needs
Mistake: Creating a high-maintenance landscape without realizing it.
Why It’s a Problem: You may find yourself overwhelmed, leading to neglecting maintenance and an overgrown, chaotic yard.
North Coral’s Fix: We design low-maintenance yards tailored to your lifestyle, considering maintenance requirements, budget, and time. From slow-growing shrubs to drought-tolerant perennials, we help you maintain beauty without excessive effort.
8. Disregarding Property Lines and Utility Access
Mistake: Planting or building too close to property lines or above utility lines.
Why It’s a Problem: This can cause legal issues, service disruptions, or expensive rework.
North Coral’s Fix: Our experienced team handles permits, checks for utility access, and respects municipal guidelines before we dig. This prevents costly setbacks and ensures everything is up to code.
9. Inconsistent Style or Vision
Mistake: Mixing too many themes or not matching your home’s architecture.
Why It’s a Problem: The result is a disjointed, visually cluttered yard that lacks cohesion.
North Coral’s Fix: We work closely with you to ensure the overall landscape design reflects your taste, matches your home’s architecture and compliments your lifestyle. Whether you love a sleek modern aesthetic or a cozy cottage garden, we make sure every element works together to elevate your curb appeal.
10. Trying to Do Too Much Alone
Mistake: Tackling a large-scale project without professional help or research.
Why It’s a Problem: This often leads to overspending, stress, and mediocre results.
North Coral’s Fix: With over a decade of experience and a full design-build team we understand landscaping isn’t just about moving dirt—it requires design expertise, skilled labor, budgeting and strategic planning. Our design-build team manages every detail so you don’t have too—from grading to irrigation, plant selection, and finishing touches—ensuring the highest quality at every step.
Conclusion
Landscaping your yard is one of the best investments you can make—boosting curb appeal, comfort, and value. But it only pays off when it’s done right and you avoid these 10 common landscaping mistakes. At North Coral Landscaping, our landscape designers go beyond avoiding landscaping mistakes—we build exceptional spaces that align with your home, your lifestyle, and your dreams.
Whether you’re planning a summer renovation, a garden upgrade, or a total backyard transformation, we’re here to help you save money, avoid common landscaping mistakes, protect your investment, and create an outdoor space you’ll enjoy for many years to come.
Ready to start your Winnipeg landscaping project? Contact North Coral Landscaping to get started.