Key Points
Keeping your garden neat not only boosts its appearance but also makes the whole space feel more cared for.Weeds, messy paths, bare patches, and undefined edges are the top culprits behind a scruffy look.Quick fixes like mulching, edging, and deadheading plants can instantly boost curb appeal.
While a somewhat messy or even chaotic garden may be tolerated or even preferred by some gardeners, and even conveys their own unique style, others like to keep their outdoor creations looking neat and tidy.
A garden’s appearance can also be a sign of how well it is maintained and cared for, which is connected to overall plant and soil health. We spoke with some garden professionals to get their thoughts on what makes a garden look unkempt.
Meet the Expert
Annette Hird is an experienced gardener and writer specializing in horticulture for Easy Urban Gardens.
Mary Jane Duford is a master gardener and founder of the gardening website Home for the Harvest.
Chrissie Handley is a lawn care specialist and gardening expert who works with Online Turf in the UK.
Weeds
Overgrown weeds, whether in or out of flower beds, distract from the overall landscape design, says Mary Jane Duford, a master gardener and founder of Home for the Harvest.
Regular weeding in summer is usually necessary to keep them under control. Duford recommends weeding every week or two to keep the garden tidy, and says this also makes weeds easier to manage by preventing them from going to seed. She also suggests using mulch to control weed growth.
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Messy Paths
Garden paths made of stone or brick lend structure and visual interest to gardens. But if the paths get covered with fallen leaves or twigs, or stray mulch, this can tend to look messy, says Annette Hird, a horticulturist at Easy Urban Gardens.
Some birds also like to dig in flower beds and may toss bits of mulch out. Hird uses a blower once a week or so to keep paths clean. Using a broom to sweep paths, or a hose to rinse them off occasionally, keeps stone pavers and bricks clean. Hird also suggests using small containers to line paths, which can help prevent mulch or dirt spilling over from the beds: as a bonus, this allows for more plants on display.
Overgrown or Undefined Edges
Chrissie Handley, a lawn care specialist in the UK, says that overgrown lawn edges can easily make a garden look unkempt and unmaintained. She says lawn edging is a simple task that not only makes the lawn look neat, but also defines space by separating the lawn from other garden areas (like flower beds or walkways).
Handley recommends using a spade or edging tool, using overlapping cuts to create straight or curved edges. that can be done to help your lawn look neat and professional.
Duford also believes that the edges of flower beds and walkways can really shape how a garden looks. She recommends using a trimmer or edging tool on overgrown lawn edges, but is also a proponent of making borders to define edges, using stones, bricks, pavers, or planting containers. Even a very simple garden edging design shows off flower beds at their best.
Overcrowded or Untended Beds
Is there such a thing as too many flowers? Well, yes, if your flower beds get overcrowded with perennials that need dividing. Regular dividing keeps things looking neat and keeps plants healthy. Some perennials, such as tall garden phlox, are more susceptible to powdery mildew if they don’t have enough airflow, so be aware of giving your plants some breathing room.
Deadheading perennials also encourages new blooms to keep flower beds colorful and vibrant. Hird also recommends adding a fresh layer of mulch to flower beds to spruce them up and instantly improve their aesthetics.
Bare Soil Patches
Bare patches of soil devoid of grass or plants can make the garden look incomplete, says Duford. In addition, she explains that exposed soil dries out quickly, may attract more weeds, and can erode after windy weather or rainfall, which can create dust or mud.
She suggests filling in bare patches with mulch, ground cover plants, or seasonal flowers to improve appearance and soil health. This can be an easy fix, she notes, and adding some natural mulch or low-maintenance perennials can transform bare soil spots into healthy, attractive sections of the garden.
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