It’s easy to get excited about a garden makeover—especially when you’ve got a blank slate, a few Pinterest boards, and maybe some fresh plants calling your name. But if you’re thinking about redoing your outdoor space, there are a few things that can go wrong early on (and they’re not always obvious at first).
We’ve worked with a lot of Vancouver homeowners over the years, and the truth is, the most common garden install mistakes are totally avoidable. Here are a few things we often see—plus what to think about before diving in.
Starting Without a Plan
It might sound obvious, but jumping into planting without a layout is one of the easiest ways to end up with a yard that doesn’t quite work. People often get inspired by one area—maybe the front steps or a side bed—and start planting before thinking about how everything connects.
If your yard has a slope (which is common around here), or weird patches of shade, that should shape how your garden gets installed. It’s not just about where the sun hits—it’s about water flow, foot traffic, and how the space feels overall.
A garden install company in Vancouver will usually begin with a full site assessment before anyone touches a shovel.
Picking Plants Based on Looks Alone
We get it. You go to the nursery, see a few gorgeous shrubs or flowers in bloom, and bring them home on impulse. But sometimes those plants don’t like the shady back corner, or they grow way bigger than you thought.
That’s how small gardens end up overgrown, or full-sun plants get tucked under trees where they struggle.
In our North Shore climate, plant choices matter. It’s not just about how they look today—it’s how they’ll fill out over the next few years.
Forgetting About Drainage
It rains a lot here. You know that. But it’s still easy to overlook how your garden drains—until you step outside in February and realize your flower bed’s become a puddle.
When installing a garden, soil prep is a bigger deal than most people think. If the ground’s too compacted or clay-heavy, water doesn’t move, and roots can rot. That’s why one of the first things we check is how the soil holds and moves water. Fixing it later is a much bigger job.
Focusing Only on One Season
You plant everything in May, it looks amazing in June… and then by August? It’s flat. Or worse—bare all winter.
One mistake homeowners make is building a garden that peaks in one season, usually spring. That leaves a lot of off-months where the yard looks tired.
We always try to build in layers. Early bloomers. Late colour. Evergreens. Grasses. Plants with texture. A garden doesn’t need to be “on” all year—but it should never feel totally empty.
Forgetting How You’ll Use the Space
We’ve seen gorgeous gardens that just… don’t get used. Why? Because the layout doesn’t fit how the homeowners actually live.
If you’ve got kids, pets, or love having people over, those things should shape your garden layout. Maybe that means leaving room for a path or making sure the patio connects to a sunny corner.
A good garden feels like it fits your life—not like something you’re afraid to walk through.
Looking for a Garden Install Company in Vancouver?
We help homeowners in Vancouver and across the city design and install outdoor spaces that feel natural, personal, and low-stress to care for.
At Bloomingfields, our focus is on thoughtful layouts, climate-aware plant choices, and making sure the garden feels like an extension of your home.
If you’re thinking about updating your yard, reach out here. We’re happy to chat and help you avoid some of the usual headaches.
