10 GARDEN DESIGN MISTAKES I MADE & Landscape Design Tips to Help You Avoid My Gardening Mistakes

[@peacenow4456]

As a realtor with experience in two states, I so disagree w your realtor/friend. You cannot re-create a blank tract home. Just don't. People will love your gardens, plus they couldn't afford to recreate them from bare dirt. In time, they'll tear out some beds, but over time... think of them enjoying your lovely efforts over the seasons... you have a wonderful infrastructure they don't have to pay for, especially with the price of things these days. They'll be paying high dollar for any house and will do house changes first, while relaxing in your creation. Let them enjoy your professional gardens... sad you could be moving. BTW, even if she is your friend, I'd strongly suggest you move on from her and her office and interview other realtors, obvious she is in conflict with you... I'd never suggest a seller destroy their gardens to attract a sole buyer who is a minimalist... what a narrow demographic! Let those searching garden loving prospective buyers appreciate your gardens. More love gardens than don't they are a HUGE SELLING POINT. Imagine your listing pictures... amazing. I'd come see your place first If I was looking. I listed bare houses, suggested plantings for street cuteness all the time... Beauty and design sells, dirt does not. Hugs...

[@melodykaufer5696]

Strongly agree! Your garden is lovely. I wonder how many people drive or walk by and long to see inside, I would.

[@knitchywa]

We moved after 25 years and I created my garden from scratch. It had been on yours and won a couple awards. It was heartbreaking to leave.

[@carolebaines4075]

So agree, a garden is a bonus and gives you back tranquility, peace and joy as well as privacy.

[@sharonwebb945]

Also STRONGLY AGREE. Gardens sell a place for me…

[@victoriawhite3662]

Personal experience! DON'T USE A FRIEND AS A REALTOR!!!!😮

[@dwoodbury]

I'm glad you made the curved path narrow. It feels like a magical walk into a secret garden; if it was much wider -- though it would accommodate more foot traffic -- I think it would lose a little charm. I really like what you did. You have a real talent for garden design.

[@MrsB_734]

Don't take what your agent said about buyers not wanting your garden too seriously. We sold our house to buyers who chose ours over another they were considering because they loved the gardens. We had almost as much as you do. And the property, landscape/gardens were at the top of our house hunting list too. You just have to market it highlighting the gardens. You will be surprised at the people who would love your yard.

[@lisajelle714]

Very interesting, great lessons to consider! Will you follow this up with your 10 best decisions in designing your garden? That would be fabulous, too!

[@debsmith8102]

Very honest evaluation of your land. I’m 75 and just moved to a newly built home. I love gardening and feel like I’m running out of time. Starting new takes time. So I buy the biggest plants I can and it’s expensive. I also want a lot of beauty, (flowers) and not a lot of maintenance or digging. So this video opened my eyes to judge my land more carefully. Thank you!

[@judymckerrow6720]

I’m 69 and started a new garden, I also feel like I’m running out of time. Unfortunately I can’t afford larger plants so I’m hoping that I will get to see at least some of them reach maturity.🤞🏻 Also that I will be able to finish the garden before I can’t really work out there anymore. I know there will always be some sort of maintenance but all the big digging projects will be done. Good luck fellow garden lover! 🎃🍁🍂💚🙃

[@DalhiaSun]

I’m 76 when I moved into the house I’m in now there were huge shrubs and no Maintanace. Well I finally had the time so I dug in full time. After 9 years, 16:14 this summer I said to myself “Who is going to want this place!?” I can no longer maintain it. Hiring someone to just weed it once this summer was an extreme expence. So I hear you all too well. Your gardens are far more beautiful and larger than mine. But you’re a long way from old! Perhaps a young woman like yourself will be thrilled to have all that work already done. My house is small. So it’s right for older people.

[@DalhiaSun]

I too was surprised to hear you work full time! You are too busy! Please never stop KZbin! We love you!😘

[@ClairThomas-hl7dc]

I’m 66 with arthritis and I have a small space garden and I’m very thankful for your video. Love Grace. I love Grace sitting on the chair ❤

[@patl.4170]

@@judymckerrow6720- I am in your boat 😢.. just retired and playing catch-up in my yard. It’s daunting.

[@hd1ab1]

I can remember making one garden after another at 30 and by 50, we were breaking some of them down and adding back lawn. Now at 68 and retired, I've been changing my gardens with massive transformations. I don't want new spaces to take care of and the old ones don't please me anymore. I'm sure you'll find the seasons of your life won't always correspond with the seasons of your garden. However, we can always try to match them up😊.

[@haleymglick]

I think hardscaping is something people often skip as most passionate gardeners are eager to get plants in the ground. However I have found that hardscaping is the difference between a nice garden and a stunning garden.

[@laliday]

Hardscaping is expensive.

[@HandcraftedintheFoothills]

​@@lalidayyep it is we were just quoted a patio and irrigation for 35k...we are not young anymore so we have to pay people to get it done

[@katiekane5247]

​@@HandcraftedintheFoothillsouch!

[@dustyflats3832]

That’s so true, but so expensive to do. I have little hardscaping and spend enough money to fence out wildlife to protect those expensive plants. The deer are like goats here and not picky. They would have this garden looking like Swiss cheese😅

[@3in2Art]

No mistakes . . . Only learning opportunities and a chance for personal growth. Sharing your issues offers other garden lovers the opportunity to learn. So in essence you’ve added another job to your already lengthy list - that of teacher - and that’s definitely a good thing! Thank you! 💐👏🏻👍🏻💪🏻🙏🏻🥰

[@octogirl2046]

I agree. I am a designer/contractor:) I went to school for three years and was told how to do things, with a few variables. However theory and practice are two dif worlds. You need inexperience to develop experience. It’s a life long process.

[@JayPatel-tm4fv]

For anyone considering designing their own garden a video like this can be pure gold. And after putting so many years work into the garden it also reveals a humble and potentially vulnerable honesty and willingness to reflect on what turned out less successfully. Very valuable to benefit from the learning experiences of others. Thank you for sharing!

[@susanebrown-yp5ny]

Your realtor is nuts!!! Your gardens are a huge bonus, a big plus! Many buyers will really appreciate all your design & work that it took to create that work of art!! Get another realtor. And I am a realtor.

[@heatherw.2751]

I think taking care of all the unglamorous things like drainage and infrastructure before the pretty and fun things is so important! Also, being honest with yourself in how much maintenance you’re truly willing/able to handle.

[@tammy6816]

Loved watching Grace in this video! She’s such a character ❤

[@gardeninggrandma5247]

We've all made mistakes in the garden, Danielle. A couple of items I think can be "easily" addressed with not a huge cost. If you can find someone in your area who is a mason or who installs paver patios, they can cut your driveway to make that grassy area a nice rounded shape on the outside. That will give you the curb appeal you need. You can then add some nice paver stones to bridge the gap between the driveway and the grass. As far as the drainage, I hired someone to install a french drain off my house to divert the water away from the foundation. It didn't disturb any of my garden, it was a simple trench. They did have to go 15 feet or so into my lawn, but that was an easy fix to peel the grass back over the trench. A french drain might help your area as well, so you don't have a muddy mess when it rains. I hope these ideas help you try to resolve some of the gardening issues you have.

[@aalejardin]

It's impossible to do everything right from the beginning -- one just doesn't know enough about the property, even if one is an experienced gardener! Very helpful though to be able to learn from your experience. Also, life is never simple and we are but imperfect creatures. I am a senior citizen and when my contemporaries start to reminisce about their lives and how if they knew then what they know now they would have done differently I have to remind them that, had we to do it all over again, we would just make different mistakes! There are so many factors to consider in gardening -- I view it all as a continuous experiment and try to be happy with the wins and hope some garden-loving person will own the property after me. You have a very beautiful garden and we all appreciate your sharing it with us.

[@tammygiovanna4760]

I think your garden is beautiful 😍

[@vickiek1804]

I was just thinking a couple of videos ago of how your garden has progressed in such a beautiful way. I appreciate your honesty in pointing out things we as gardeners may not have thought through. You are definitely one hard working lady. I had no idea you worked a full time job on top of all your gardening. God bless you!

[@fiercegirldesign1]

I thought the same thing! I had no idea Danielle ALSO had a full time job. I thought KZbin and selling flowers at the stand WAS her full time job. Hard worker indeed!

[@deborahmansfield4809]

Thanks for sharing this. While my gardens are not nearly as extensive as yours, as I age I don’t enjoy the maintenance and just want to enjoy what I have.

[@kathywhitmarsh9938]

Your garden is just beautiful! Tranquil, dramatic and an oasis of peace! "Mistakes" are just opportunities to try something new. We are all learning right along with you. As long as we still enjoy the beauty a garden can bring, it's all just part of the plan.

[@ltuerk]

I agree with your first point on installing privacy fencing. When we moved in, our backyard had no fencing at all, and I considered privacy fencing, which is allowed on our corner lot. My regret is that I gave into peer pressure from a few neighbors, who said tall fencing would “ruin“ the look of our street, so I installed plantings and a 4 foot wire and cedar fence. Since I planted some herbaceous perennials, we have privacy for about five months of the year. I’m considering privacy fencing again!

[@pamwhite5276]

I would PAY to be able to see your garden! It's absolutely my idea of a private getaway right outside the back door!! Also, I do appreciate the need for more compost space and that's so doable! Pick a large space that gets some sun and dig up the plants there (maybe use them for the first layer of your compost) and as you clean out your beds keep adding to the pile. I can tell you that as for me I get just as much thrill from seeing the transformation to compost as I do from the maturation of my beautiful plants/flowers/veggies! Thank you for sharing.

[@catherineslavin7324]

So helpful! I also made the mistake of creating too much maintenance. Tough when you're in your 70s! I'm slowly replacing some prennials with shrubs--each one helps--and they can have multi-season interest as well!

[@miriamrighter1666]

Yes! I am 65 and severely arthritic now. I read a great book about changing your extensive gardens in to ones requiring less maintenance, and have been slowly changing my yard. The author is one who hires a lot of help, so she still didn't quite 'get it' but she had good ideas. Look for lower maintenance perennials, focus on more shrubs that don't require constant shaping, etc.

[@deechiodo6738]

Hi Danielle .... Zone 6. Im by no means a professional but my suggestion about your air flow "mistake" is to limb up your trees and/or large shrubs to help with the circulation. I think we all make many of the same mistakes because we want the look of a beautiful garden NOW, not 10 years from now, and so we plant too close or without thinking of how some plant will eventually block the sun. Illl worry about that when the time comes. I can always move a plant or remove it altogether and make way for a new and better variety. Happy Gardening.

[@theresadyjach5406]

LEARNING EXPERIENCE NOT A MISTAKE. NOTHING IS EVER A MISTAKE. THANKS FOR THE SHARE.

[@lorrainemcwhorter2796]

My lesson learned is buying gladiolus bulbs from the Dollar Store. I bought 9 packages. They were infested with thrips. I got one stalk of blooms and many mangy looking plants. Never again. Needless to say, I learned a lot about pests this summer.

[@lindamcmaster6024]

What I have done this year, if an area is overgrown or has widened, is to just pull out some of the plants! Makes a huge difference! Just because a plant has spread does not mean you must accept its new size! You are the plant helper, so you should do whatever you need to do to bring harmony and sometimes compromise to your garden. In the end it benefits all the plants AND your peace of mind. 🙂

[@DianeMcgowan-ps8qc]

Constructing paths in my garden now and will probably complete next Spring. Thank you for the tip on too narrow paths. I better rethink my plans! Excellent tips! Grace is cute.

[@GardeningOnTaylorMountain]

I love the transparency you show in this video. Your viewers all love your designs but I understand how you feel. Sometimes we see our own gardens from a different perspective. For me, with such a large “farm setting” yard, I do wish I had more borders and secret garden areas. With my cut flower garden, I would have probably not used raised beds but rather plant in ground using rock as borders for each bed. Thanks for helping us all stop and try and think through our garden designs! I’ve always absolutely loved your gardens!

[@sarahcole7338]

Hi! I have beds with rock borders on a very large farm type property and I can tell you weeding around those rocks is a real pain!! In fact I’ve removed thousands of rocks probably hundreds of thousands at this point by hand and wheel barrow and finally finished most of it with the help of our neighbors tractor… just to lower the maintenance.

[@GardeningOnTaylorMountain]

@@sarahcole7338 Hi there! We have tons of rocks and rock piles etc. on our farm. Most of my beds are lined with rock and I agree with you, it takes work to keep them maintained. My weed eaters and I are good friends! The area I wrote about in my comment is in my enclosed cut garden where we have mulch so weeds and grass wouldn't be a problem. I feel like the rock borders are more in keeping with our farm setting but, like you said, they are work but I like that they are free! :)

[@dustyflats3832]

I have a country acreage also and play tug-o-war with design. I can’t plant anywhere without fencing as the deer and rabbits eat everything. Looking at landscaping through fencing is just not the same and difficult to maintain.

[@Oz-vt8ot]

I have watched this video so many times only to get ideas for my yard!! I absolutely love your yard!! Not one thing placed wrong

[@marylynnhaynes7558]

This rings true. I retired and now wanting to add more evergreens and eliminating any perennials that don’t love my property. I want more simple beds. Gardening is an evolution.

[@mooreacrestxgardenening4979]

Gardens are a lot of work, no doubt. I find it amusing when someone says I'm going to get rid of the lawn because it's to much work and put in flower beds. Your gardens are gorgeous and I know you enjoy being in them.

[@susangarland6869]

Love this! I've always believed that we can learn more from our failures than from our successes. I've come to view failures as valuable opportunities for growth, so now I don't mind so much when they happen.

[@colleenpaschall491]

I agree so much with #1. We had lovely neighbors when we first built our home in 2013. But since, the area has rapidly declined. I just assumed it would always be nice. Now I'm playing catch-up with planting tree walls all around me. They're all like 3 ft tall. Maybe in 10 years I will not have to see my neighbors junkyard 😭

[@dustyflats3832]

Sorry to hear. We just got rid of squatters in the country, but before they got pushed out they had mounds of garbage! Last week was about 3 years since this all started and it was FINALLY cleaned up. Bulldozers and scoops and also tore down the crappy sheds. We were cheering them on every day. It was glorious and hope the new owners are decent. Yes, put a fence up. The elderly lady that owned the home died and the daughter with felon sons and others squatted there. So yes, things can change for the worse.

[@SMElder-iy6fl]

I'm glad I went through my years of adding a lot of new plants several years ago before plants got so expensive! Now I know what grows well in my garden, so most of what I add is from seeds.

[@dawndawn6946]

Thank you for taking the time to share this well thought out list, Danielle. I have just started working on creating gardens on my property after 13 years. I am working on finishing an 80 x 80 foot veggie garden, but couldn’t quite complete it without a fence. The fence went up in 2019, our 9th year here!🤦🏽‍♀It was easier for me to design the veggie garden once I could clearly see the boundaries. I have had every learning opportunity you mentioned! I almost feel as if I need to just layout my design and concentrate on hard scape and pathways and structures first. That may be fun for some, but I just want to buy plants and play in the dirt! However, redoing work, designs, and creating more places for weeds to grow is tiring. We are on a 2.4 acre lot, so I am so thankful for generous gardeners, like you, who share your knowledge here on YT. Thank you, again!💖

[@Tuckerz5d]

Thanks, I appreciate sharing your honest experience. I’m dealing with several of those issues, including debating how soon to put up a fence to block new construction on one side of our property. It’s a big expense, but you reminded me that I don’t want to spend the next 5 years complaining about the view!

[@ieeshamroczek6583]

I did the same thing. Now im taking some things out, and the new gardens r more dought tolerant and easy maintenance. I think many of us have done the same thing.

[@SMElder-iy6fl]

I moved a lot of plants last year in our second drought summer. I put plants needing regular irrigation together and planted native plants further from the hose.

[@laurabruton3789]

I love love love your garden!!! Love it!! I love your creativity!! ❤❤❤ I’m only halfway in- but wanted to express my gratitude for letting me see your wonderful garden!

[@patriciamcgonigal2688]

It’s good to get feedback from a realtor and make changes that you agree with if you are serious about selling. But I also think you might consider other realtors if she can’t see the potential of your home. Your garden is lovely. We all have things we might have done differently. That said. I moved to a new home this year leaving behind an amazing garden - I am now recreating my new garden. I found the best and most respected realtor in my last home and I seriously tried to make changes that were recommended and was fortunate to sell quickly. But I also had an agent that was a go getter and really marketed my home.

[@dustyflats3832]

There are few homes on the market and should be no problem selling anything.

[@kaceyid07]

Do not destroy your masterpiece ! This is beautiful and I would want to buy a house with a garden like this. This is a dream garden. Do not destroy this….

[@judymckerrow6720]

Thank you Danielle. A GREAT list of things to consider when planting your gardens. 🎃🍁🍂💚🙃

[@kathleenjacobs9815]

My biggest mistake was putting ivy in containers and allowing it to escape into my natural areas. I’ve spent years trying to keep it from devouring my trees. I NEVER use ivy as a drape in my containers now.

[@MsArtistwannabe]

Your garden is beautiful. We learn as we go. Nothing like experience for teaching us so many things. In my area having a beautiful garden helps sell houses. Lots of folks just hire someone to maintain them.

[@GingerQuinlan]

Thank you, thank you, thank you for this video and your wisdom! I'm just starting to make front yard beds that are different from what we inherited here 10 years ago. Overgrown bushes and trees are now gone, pulled out and now naked beds. Fresh new beds ready to be created. This taught me to look at my yard differently. Thank you!!

[@emkn1479]

The things we don’t realize until we can look back… my grandpa called such things “learning experiences.” I wonder if a small dry well in a garden bed could help your water issues. We don’t get enough rain, which is why I added ours, to keep the water in the ground, not in the gutter and running down the hillside. But I’m pretty sure a dry well can work for excess water too. Ours is very small and hand dug, but it’s made a big difference.

[@urchinsushi2041]

I have a different opinion from that of your realtor - your back garden would be so easy to edit to become more appealing/less maintenance for the next buyer and not a big deal breaker AT ALL - look what you did with the front yard!! You should make your home and your garden YOURS - for you and your family, not for the next family - they can change it to the way they want it like you did before - not to mention more and more people are learning to love gardening and would be ecstatic to live in a beautiful home with such a lovely garden - I would consider your garden a wonderful return on investment for your home value and more importantly quality of life!

[@mbg4445]

I love your garden space. Always look forward to your videos. But I also understand a lot of these issues. Great video.

[@KristiB73]

Grace was definitely the star of this vlog. Love the insight 💙

[@glenyscadman5591]

We bought our place over 30m years ago. Fourteen acres and I was a keen but clueless gardener! Initially I just planted everything but as we are on Tank water only, much of it died. Gradually I learned to plant drought and wind tolerant plants. I managed to plant a 1 1/2 acre garden, which has given us and the animals much pleasure. We have just sold our beautiful home and bought a smaller place on a regular size block. I have thought of bringing in a professional to help redesign the garden of our new house and listening to you has confirmed my decision. Thanks Glenys Brisbane Australia

[@pinkpoodle7100]

Thank you for this eye opening video. I too made many of these mistakes in my garden/yard. Now that I am older and wiser🤣…I have pulled out many of my perennials and filled my gardens with conifers and dwarf trees. I want a lower maintenance garden going forward.

[@marcenalamb7294]

Thank you. I believe these are 10 tips for gardening.❤

[@gardentherapySOS]

I bought 2 acres six years ago and have learned similar lessons as you. BUT these "mistakes" get us closer to our end goal of having beautiful gardens.

[@Janie_Deer]

Thank you for sharing these garden lessons learned. This type of video helps more than those channels that post videos with no accounting for budget restrictions, labor concerns etc. Sure, they are beautiful (as is yours) but that isn’t real life. I love your honest approach to helping us on your NFF channel.

[@chiaroluce]

I can absolutely relate to almost all of your gardening “mistakes,” especially buying plants on sale without first knowing where you’ll plant them. Also, I didn’t know that trees and shrubs grow far larger over the years than sizes listed on labels!

[@QueenAnnesLace13]

Thanks Danielle, for your candor. I was so excited to garden when I purchased my first home 5 years ago that I purchased whatever plants caught my eye. Now I understand about 4 season gardening, shrubs, evergreens and foundation plants. I am also looking at my tiny space for less maintenance and toward resale as I realize it is certainly not my forever home. I had massive drainage issues but was able to run a few yards of PVC piping away from the house and trench some areas to create a small dry creek with stones and pebbles that would slow down the water runoff. Homes and gardens are truly a work in progress. You are younger than some of us who have commented, but you are incredible busy! We are truly grateful for your presence and knowledge here on KZbin. I loved Grace entertaining us through the video.

[@gracepeterson7483]

Grace, I love your face! 😁 Nobody ever has enough compost! Your garden issues are very familiar. I've dealt with them all in my 30+ years of gardening. Don't despair, you can make changes. It's part of the fun. This afternoon, I spent a few hours moving plants around and had a blast.

[@sue3424]

I think it is all about discipline. My mistake was purchasing plants I did not need. However, because they were on sale at Lowes or Home Depot, I would buy them. With my new home, I have stuck to my yearly plan and budget. I am so happier now.

[@daisyjo5358]

There’s so many points in your video that I wanted to make a comment on I have sold four houses in my lifetime and everyone of them have had very extensive gardens, unique to each piece of property. They’ve all sold even as recent as a year ago within a month, and the last one got in a battle about it, someone that doesn’t understand guarding and understand the American way of staying home and putting pride into their home and their surroundings is not the right buyer, but the buyers are more prevalent than what you’re being led to believe. The last lady that bought my last house has reduced my gardens by 50% only because she said she works full-time and has two kids and had to selectively select which garden she was keeping. She said I literally just pulled up the plants Offered them at the curbside let it fill in threw a little grassy down and Bam. She said that was less work and less cost then she would’ve if she would’ve bought a home that had no landscaping so I would have to say not being disrespectful I have to debunk that one person’s opinion, also I’ve always lived by the motto I live here until I don’t people will paint people will change things that you’ve done to try to sell the house. There is a buyer out there for every house and since the pandemic there are a lot more people that want, established homesteads, backyards, etc., you’ve done a beautiful job you make it comfortable for yourself and that next person will come and do the same all the rest of what you had said about bindweed, etc. we’ve all made that mistake lol

[@daygirl2659]

Thank you Danielle for being so transparent with your garden mistakes. You are always so helpful. I was just feeling so discouraged today because of all the aphids attacking my plants and all the mosquitoes that make me have to go out fully clothed in the 90 degree heat. I kinda realized today that maybe I over water and maybe some things are too close together..Well, I know next Spring I’ll still want to be back out there trying my best.😊🤗💞

[@NorthlawnFlowerFarmandGardens]

Hi completely hear you on being fully covered up in the heat! Here's hoping for a mosquito free 2024!

[@dustyflats3832]

@@NorthlawnFlowerFarmandGardensmosquito zappers work well. I grew up near wetlands and know what it’s like. If your not near wetlands then there is water sitting in gutters, ect in the neighborhood.

[@debk2652]

Thank you so much for sharing this video. I struggle making sense out of some of my garden areas & feel like I have made several mistakes over the years as well. I also, shop clearance often and purchase without thinking things through before planting. It’s comforting to know that someone with your knowledge of gardening has the same issues. This gives me great hope & less stress in taking my time with future planting 🌸💓Although, gardeners always notice the wrong in their own gardens I do LOVE all of your gardens.

[@TheNoTillGardener]

Thanks for the frank assessment of your garden’s evolution. You’ve given me food for thought, here. I have made similar mistakes and need to reassess what’s next; culling the botanical herd could be the place to start, for me.

[@janyearly3883]

I enjoyed your video! I’m trying to plant more flowering shrubs and evergreens to prevent so much maintenance. Most of my flowers are in pots.

[@suebar5177]

It seems what you outlined in your video is a natural evolution in one’s gardening journey. I’ve been at it for seven years and am now starting to cut down or move what’s no longer working and redesigning as I go.

[@gracev2335]

I’ve slowly over three years removed the previous owners’ high maintenance plantings. I’m simplifying and considering where I can garden part of the day in the shade. My south side garden is getting a make over so that I have a few boxwoods. I’m also thinking about water and planting more heat tolerable plants. You make some very good observations about your garden. Lessons learned as you say. Good review for end of season. Best wishes for your next phase of gardening.

[@FLlife]

As a 60 year old gardener I had two items that rang true with me. I have given thought about my future with age and ability. My solution is to someday switch to blooming shrubs over annuals and perennials that née more maintenance. I also have a strip that gets the bulk of the rain that is also a pathway and I’ve solved that by making it a gravel pathway or rain garden. Instead of just one type of gravel, I’ve spotted in some larger pebbles to make it more of a natural space. It’s pretty deep so the rain can easily permeate the ground.

[@karenannaluisa3370]

That is a very good idea! In permaculture they actually dig areas called thrifts which are lower than the rest of the garden on purpose to gather rain water in the soil.

[@mitzi605]

Love your journey. My current goal is to help my garden be less work. I'm trying to get winter interest a priority. I'm making sure water needs are down in parts of the yard. I consider the wind,sun,shade,micro climate. I love plants so it is hard to refrain from purchasing more than my yard can support. I definitely keep areas in my yard with lower maintenance plants.

[@marianafranowicz]

Here’s the “BUT” you have had the joy and peace while gardening. I have made the same mistakes and more hopefully your posting helps beginners have the beautiful garden like yours thank you for enriching my days with your posts.

[@carlosu8229]

I created air blocks and have tons of mosquitos too now. I cut down a tree and have some wind now and less mosquitos!!! Thank you Danielle

[@carlosu8229]

And I cut down an avocado and a guava tree to have more light and wind. All these trees were within 6 ft of each other. Much better now. It looks better too. No more mosquitoes! I found the wet area they loved.

[@eileenchang2173]

Hi Danielle, thank you for sharing your experience and learnings! They are not “mistakes” ! These are great points to consider when designing a garden. 🍂🌸❤️🇨🇦 Happy Thanksgiving to my fellow Canadians! 🍂

[@madelinerivera7445]

oh my goodness, here I am just in awe with your beautiful garden, wishing my garden was as lush and interesting as yours. But I'm glad you shared your "mistakes" with us so that we new gardeners can learn from it. I have only 1/4 acre and have so much to do and create. So this video really opened my eyes!! And that realtor, although I kinda understand her point of view, but NOOOOO WAY would your garden deter buyers. Maybe a few, but guess what, they weren't meant to buy your house. Lord have mercy, all the love and hard work you put into that garden. Anyway, this was last year, wondering what you ended up doing. Guess I'll have to catch up. Been watching you for several years; but slowed down watching videos...much to do myself. Thank you for sharing this video!! I'm in PA too so this helps me tremendously.

[@ChristinaMinta]

Beautiful 🎉 you made it ; Thanks for ideas.

[@amyhoff1501]

Oh I hear you loud and clear, Danielle. So many things you mentioned in this video I have come across or did myself in my own gardens. I moved from a 2 acre property where we had build our own house 18 years ago to a smaller property three years ago and I told myself that I will keep it low-key as far as gardening. Well , that didn’t happen . Spring and fall I have a lot to do on my own and often lack the motivation, I’m 67 years old. 🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️

[@fiercegirldesign1]

You're not alone, Danielle! We've all had "lessons learned" in our gardens. I've been working in my current garden for nine years and I'm finally starting to add in shrubs to create more structure and seasonal interest. I should have started with the shrubs. That was mistake number one. Secondly, we had an irrigation system put in about 6 years ago and as the years have passed I have increased several of the garden beds so now I have sprinkler heads in the middle of some of my beds instead of in the lawn. Not the end of the world, but I have to be careful not to plant anything too tall in front of them. It would have been great if I had had the forethought to make larger beds to begin with. And finally, I wish I had paid more attention to what plants are deer resistant. I love hosts and have purchased many varieties over the years (and have divided and transplanted a bunch that were here when we bought the place). Every year the deer decimate them and it really ruins the look of my garden. So no more hostess for me, which is a bummer because I love them. I will do my best to spray them for deer next year, but it's a task I'd like to not have to do, so it's only deer-resistant plants from here on. Mistakes, or "lessons" are how we learn, so even though it's no fun to have to deal with the results of them, they're an important part of the process. I'm grateful for what each lesson has taught me. Here's wishing all of you lovely peeps a great day in your garden! 💚

[@patriciamcgonigal2688]

You might consider holly ferns instead of hostas - deer will leave them. Also most sages and salvia. Ajuga, butterfly weed and bush. They leave my sunshine ligustrum, lantana, boxwood, distillium and lorapetulem. Also vitex, and tea olive.

[@tishatucker7207]

I also love hostas but avoid them because of the pesky deer. I found that if you spray really consistently and aggressively at the beginning of the season you don't have to spray as much toward the middle and end. It's super annoying but it's worked for me so far.

[@SleepyKittens]

Another thing I considered is investing in a shredder/chipper/mulcher combo. I have a lightweight leaf shredder and it is wonderful in turning leaves into compost shreds. I just then lay the leaves directly onto the beds as mulch for annuals, vegetables, new plantings.

[@colourfulmarion]

Thank you Danielle, I learnt a lot from your video. Its amazing that you have a full time job AND this channel AND an amazing garden. I thought you were a full time gardener only! You give me hope as I am just starting out and a little overwhelmed at the time I'm spending already so I'm happy to learn all the shortcuts and lessons from everyone's experiences on KZbin. Keep up the great gardening :)

[@amandashoger7844]

Oh my gosh Danielle, the real estate agent comment made my stomach drop. I adore your garden, and if you ever put your house up for sale, maybe we will uproot from Washington and move to PA! 😂. I’m sure the right people would come along who would be absolutely charmed by the garden and would continue to take care of it (me! Or maybe others who follow your channel!). Anyway I always learn so much from you, thank you for all of your tours & lessons! ❤❤❤

[@ANDREATORO-cf7qo]

Grace is definitely the best!❤ I love the way she enjoys the garden, the paths, the sitting areas 😂 Your garden makes me happy, and I absolutely agree with realtor, it require a specific buyer, but wouldn't that be the goal? To leave your work of love to someone who will love it the same. A garden is really the gift that doesn't stop giving. Thanks for sharing what u consider mistakes, im learning a lot.

[@mollypitcher9380]

Thanks Danielle! At least I’m not alone. 🌸

[@juliemitton86]

Perfect points to consider as we go forward in our gardens. My Husband told me should we sell our home, buyers would be intimidated by the gardens. As my garden ages I am replacing perennials and shrubs with lower maintenance choices. I’ve also made a point to research ways to have lower maintenance beds- mulching with shredded leaves at the right time, buying natives, watering needs since we don’t have irrigation- right plant, right place. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Such great insights!

[@FaithQuinn5000]

Great video! When I started planning my garden in the back yard, I was planning during fall. I learned that there is a HUGE difference in what is full-sun or part-sun during fall versus the spring and summer. Our house faces northeast and in fall we have a lot more shade in the back. Come spring and summer however, it is full sun!

[@JacquiQ]

Danielle I have just been learning this year - there are no "mistakes" just learning experiences ! You did not make "mistakes " , just opportunities to learn something 🤩😉

[@Kay-qt2id]

Go Grace! She’s so beautiful. No mistakes, just look at what you achieved!

[@brianandtamiolson2330]

Omg, this was a very honest video and I can totally relate. Having the willpower to walk past plants that are greatly reduced for fast sale is difficult, especially when you have a Gardening that is in desperate need of being filled with plants. I purchased a house two years ago and somethings I absolutely nailed in establishing in the garden, and I absolutely failed or learned what I shouldn’t have done over the last two years. The one thing I can say is I’ve learned to take it a little slower live with it a space empty and put research in to a plants final size. I think part of gardening is constantly learning and making those mistakes to make you better. Thank you so much for your honesty we can all learn from each other.

[@suekrebs3497]

Thanks for sharing. We all have made mistakes with our landscapes. My husband's uncle lived in a area with sandy soil. He knew that we had just built our home on a mostly blank slate of 20 acres. On one of our visits to his area (a few hours away), he loaded our car with all kinds of plants, trees and shrubs. Our soil is very rich fertile farm land. As a result, some of the plants that he gave us grew like weeds. There was one 7 foot helianthus with stiff leaves and huge roots that spread everywhere. We are continuing to deal with this and now just grow plants that we love and enjoy. You have put in so much work in your space. Gardening is continual learning and evolving for all of us.

[@mkwats5375]

Wanted to thank you for your video about harvesting dahlias into flower food and hot water. Doubled my vase life!

[@NorthlawnFlowerFarmandGardens]

Woohoo!!!!

[@cathymcdonald5675]

Excellent advice for all gardeners. Thank you for sharing!

[@chrisogrady4956]

Your gardens are magnificent! I like the more narrow path exactly as you have it-perfection. Obviously, someone who also loves gardens will buy your home. They will be a major selling point for the right buyer.

[@Sekona.realtor]

Thank you for sharing honestly, so few out there do. Every time I go to KZbin I see nothing but spectacular gardens which seem to be zero maintenance and always look gorgeous and they make it look so easy. Thank you for opening my eyes before I turn my half acre lot into a big mess.(which I almost started to do.)

[@oneblockwonderwoman6833]

I think it's impossible to not make some mistakes when you're an avid gardener faced with a blank spot that is perfect for building a garden. I am nearly 72, and 17 years ago we moved to what we considered our forever home in the country on 17 acres, 15 of which is pasture where we run a couple steer every year. It has a courtyard wall surrounding the California mission style house, and directly behind the south wall is a 70 x 70 foot blank fenced in area that I wanted to develop into a secret garden. We spent three years putting in hardscape and building shallow raised beds, but first we lined the entire area with chicken wire to control the gopher problem. That was mistake number one. Now that the garden has matured and the compost has settled, it makes it nearly impossible to plant new things because the soil is only a inch or two above the chicken wire unless we bring in truckloads of bulk compost every year. A lot of physical labor. Big mistake number 2 was in my enthusiasm, I planted over 60 roses, not realizing that after 15 years or so, they would need to be removed and replaced because they get trunks like trees in our hot summers especially if they aren't pruned hard every year. That's a lot of pruning. And it's really difficult to remove roses which have spread roots through chicken wire. Which brings me to big mistake number 3. 17 years ago, I never thought about that at some point I would become old and broken. But in 2019, I tore both of my hamstring tendons doing vigorous weed pulling after a winter of being sedentary. It was extremely painful and mostly disabled me from gardening. Then 2020, I fell and totally detached the left tendon and ended with reattachment surgeries, one on each side over the next couple of years with 8 month recovery periods. Then last year, I fell and fractured my hip. So I was basically disabled from gardening for most of 4 years. My husband did the best he could to do the pruning, but is not a gardener and had a bout of cancer himself in 2020. Thank God he has been cancer free since surgery. So things in the garden have been neglected. So now that I am older and have much less energy than I did, I am having to rethink and redesign all my garden spaces, pulling out roses...about half of them gone now and more coming out this winter...being replaced with more easy care perennials and annuals.

[@mollypitcher9380]

I have to admit, it sounds like a beautiful piece of property. Best wishes with that garden! 🌸

[@oneblockwonderwoman6833]

Thank you.

[@ninatanti6530]

Your yard is beautiful. I see no mistakes, just “experiments”! I love trying out new things and if things aren’t to my liking I just say, oh well and try something else ….if I feel like it. My backyard is one big experiment. Everything is constantly changing!

[@Karen-iw4qj]

I’m glad that at the end of your video you changed it to things that I would do differently. I think you have one of the most beautiful gardens. If only mistakes in life had such a lovely outcome lol. As for the realtor, I understand what she is saying, but for me, the only way I would ever move was if I found another property with already existing gardens because leaving my house is ok but leaving my gardens is whole different thing! Whoever looks to buy you house will be in love with your garden.

[@fraukeg.facchini2691]

Thank you for your honest assessment of your gardening challenges but what my mind zeroed in on was that you are willing to sell your house and garden! Are you going to start a new garden at another house? Thinking of all the love and labor that you have put into your house and garden makes me a little sad. I have had to do it several times in my lifetime and learned to let it go, so it is possible. Good luck! 🤗

[@lindaannb]

I think we’ve made every one of those 10 mistakes! 😂 The most problematic one for me is the trees that have turned 90% of our yard into part to full shade. Mature trees are pretty expensive to remove so we are going to have everything trimmed and “limbed-up” this winter and see if that helps.

[@texastx8247]

Where I understand the realtors comments on the garden, I think there are two sides to that coin 😁. I being a garden and plant lover would love to find a property like yours. I would see it and think look at all this work that is already done! I can start enjoying it right away and love having it to garden in. There are a lot of us out there 😁 Not to mention there are plenty of people would love a ready to go small cut flower business and that person would see your place as a home and ready to go small business!!. Im guessing that realtor is so not a plant gardening person herself and thats okay …. But because of that she isn't appreciating the huge value in what you have there, not just in appeal but in dollars as well! 🤗 Not saying its for everyone but neither is any other factor about a property, location, brick color, bathrooms, kitchens, etc. is my thinking. Some great look backs and if I did it again thoughts on your garden 👍

[@joycedagostino8869]

That is such a good point about buying from roadside stands, it sounds like some of the growers just start the plants outside in a field and when digging up the plants, they are digging up a bunch of weed seeds along with it. Should be something to be cautious about when buying from plant sales because many might not have started their plants with sterile seed starting mix and good potting soil. Your comments about privacy is very important, we all need to feel that our house, garden and yard is a private place. I still think you have done an amazing job but I can see how your realtor would want to advise you regarding the resale potential when you have a lot of gardens and landscape. I think we've all bought something on clearance because they were a good deal only to have them become more of a problem than a good addition. Always enjoy seeing Grace.

[@hungtran-hf9ir]

Thank you for sharing. It's learning. I am new in the garden, your sharing is very helpful to me. Good luck with selling your house.

[@melissajones9334]

No way!!! Your garden is absolutely beautiful!

[@seriouslyreally5413]

Evaluating for the shade of the trees you plant at maturity also extends to the trees on your neighbor's property. We have evergreens, Firs, Spruce, a border of Western Red cedar that have grown 30ft above their original height at the top of our house where they were when we moved in 23 years. They are now at least a 100 ft tall. Okay, they make up the western and Northern exposure. But on the south- southwest side where I get my best all day full sun, likewise the Ponderosa Pines that are in our neighbor's yards are also 30-50 ft taller than when we moved in and have now over 100 ft tall so every day at 5pm the sun goes behind one of their clumps of pines and my garden is in partial shade for another 2 hrs. When you live in a northern state those 2 hrs of full sun in late summer and Fall are precious. Can't do anything about my neighbor's trees...

[@My5ticBlu]

Thank you for the review. I buy plants from. What I call the "no body loves me" rack at Lowes. This year I stopped doing that for similar reasons you mentioned. In regards to the goji berry plants .. just pull them out. There is nothing and nobody forcing you to keep them. Now is the perfect time to pull them. Do some research and replace them with a hydrangea or lilac. In the area that is now more prone to shade, replace your ants that require more sun and less moisture with hosta's. Hosta's come in many different leaf color, viagations and sizes. They are easy, peezy to take care of and really only need cleanup in the fall. Your raised beds ... you could easily change those into vegetable beds, versus flower beds and in the areas that you could clear out some of your overgrowth and open it up, making it more desirable for potential buyers .. do it. The slope .... there could have been a natural pound or creek there at one time which is causing your property to cave in in that location. I would take that picture to a local garden center that also does landscaping and ask them their thoughts. The one fantastic thing about plants .... you can change them. There are no permanent rules in regard to them and landscaping. As a final comment ... you have done a beautiful job ... I loved the walk through of the property. ❤❤

[@TheFarmOnSleepyHollow]

Thank you, Danielle, for sharing your learning experiences. I sometimes think about who would want our property when we are no longer here. This is where we would like to live for the rest our lives but I do wonder about the next family here. Then I think about how much joy our gardens bring me about I would not change a thing. I've decided to live in the present. It would be tougher, though, if this wasn't our final home. Regarding your water issue, have you thought about adding rain barrels to the end of each of your downspouts? You could collect water while alleviating the issue in the area that receives too much water. I'm sure you have thought of that but I hope the suggestion is helpful!

[@sharonwebb945]

I love your honesty in pointing out lessons you’ve learned- we who follow along on your journey can certainly avoid some now, but of course I guess we’ll make some of our own… but boy the journey of building gardens is so worth it. I’ve left behind 3 gardens after selling homes from my 20’s to now my 50’s. I’m now gardening in pots as no one will help me dig out lawn for gardening beds (3 young adults sons not interested, husband in late 60’s not up to it). So you garden according to the season of life your in, your budget, available time etc. But there’s no way I can live without some kind of gardening in my life. It brings me so much joy. We were all born to create… it’s in our dna… so whether it’s cooking, painting, quilting, gardening, knitting, sewing, sculpting, designing houses, games or other technology etc we all in some way love to create. It energises us. Sometimes I just look at a flower up close at all the details or a bee or butterfly and I breathe in deeply the beauty and wonder of God! He’s breathtakingly magnificent as is all He has made.

[@JessicaJLandi]

I love that the narrative is all the [top ten] mistakes made, but the visual is one of the nicest gardens on the internet! As for the water collecting area...why not go with it and make a little pond in that area. Rerouting the path around the pond may take out some of the existing garden...but it could end up even more beautiful.

[@GrandmaSandy]

So much for sharing your beautiful garden with us. I always love coming over and seeing your beautiful garden and you shoot your videos just beautifully hugs and kisses from grandma, Sandy, and Debbie.