10 things your landscaper won’t tell you

1. Don’t plant your flower beds too narrow or close to the house. You should extend your beds out by at least one to two thirds of the height of your house.

2. Don’t dig your plants too deep. The roots can suffocate and collected water can cause them to rot.

3. Most established lawns need less fertilizer. You should water once a week, or once every five days in extreme heat.

4. When planting groups of the same species, plant them in odd numbers such as seven or nine. Repeat the group throughout your garden for a cohesive effect.

5. Save money by hiring someone to draw your landscape design, and then plant it yourself.

6. Don’t pick up leaves. Instead, mow over them and leave them to break down on your lawn. It will help keep weeds down.

7. Street view is important, but make sure you take a look at your garden from inside your house. It needs to look good from your windows.

8. Choose flowers by looking at a colour wheel. Colours that are opposite each other look amazing when planted together, like red and blue.

9. Don’t pick up the grass clippings. They’ll be great food for earthworms and microbes that will help keep your lawn healthy.

10. Twice a year, use a fertilizer with time-releasing water-insoluble nitrogen.