A new survey by Toolstation of 1,013 UK homeowners with gardens has found that a quarter of homeowners think they’ve never made a mistake when gardening. To dig into this further, Toolstation asked professional landscapers what are the most common mistakes they’ve noticed on jobs.
The survey of landscapers revealed the most common gardening mistake landscapers have noticed is homeowners planting a tree in the wrong location. You can see the ranking in the table below:
| Ranking | Gardening Mistakes identified by Landscapers | Percentage of Landscapers agreeing this is a mistake |
| 1 | Planting a tree or plant that then grows too big | 71% |
| 2 | Not maintaining the lawn properly | 64% |
| 3 | Not considering the maintenance to upkeep the garden | 57% |
| 4 | Not thoroughly planning a design for the garden before starting work | 50% |
| 5 | Watering too much or too little | 29% |
| 6 | Planting high maintenance plants or vegetables | 21% |
| 7 | Planting plants or vegetables too close together or in the wrong spot | 21% |
| 8 | Using the wrong soil or not amending the soil | 21% |
| 9 | Not killing the roots properly when weeding | 21% |
| 10 | Planting plants or vegetables in the wrong season | 14% |
Homeowners should consult a professional landscaper before making any major changes to their garden, especially when planting trees. Tree roots can grow long and deep, potentially damaging patios, driveways, foundations, and other features of your garden. Planting a tree in the wrong location can also lead to overcrowding, which can stunt the growth of nearby plants, shading them out and preventing them from getting the water they need to survive.
Gardening and landscaping experts advise homeowners to proceed with caution when digging their gardens
The survey also revealed that half of homeowners have admitted to burying items in their garden. To dig into this further, Toolstation asked professional landscapers what advice they can give when digging holes in their garden.
Before digging around for buried treasure, trade professionals often use specialised equipment like CAT Scanners to identify potential hazards. Extreme caution should be taken to avoid damage to your property.
One gardener from the Southwest said, “Internet cables, irrigation pipes and outdoor power cables can be found at shallow depths. They can be difficult to spot as there’s no easy way to identify which are which”.
“You should be mindful of power lines and telephone lines above ground. Below ground, you can have power cables, water supply, gas supply, sewerage, and drainage. Power supply cables and gas supply are colour coded and mostly protected, while manhole covers or similar in a garden will indicate sewerage and drainage.”
Damaging pipes and cables associated with your property is not only expensive to repair but could also be dangerous.
Another landscaper agreed, advising the following, “Dig down with caution! Plans are not always available. Items are buried by previous occupants or forgotten about by the present residents. I have uncovered many hazards, too many to mention. Make no assumptions.“
The Top Safety Tips from Landscapers
The survey also identified the top safety tips from landscapers. This included:
- Wear Personal Protective equipment such as gloves, safety google and face masks
- Always keep fertilisers and chemicals in their original containers
- Make sure to use the correct tools for the job
- Wear Appropriate clothing, safety footwear and headgear
- Follow safety protocols and guidelines when using ladders and equipment
See the full piece here: https://www.toolstation.com/campaigns/whats-under-your-garden
