8 Landscaping Habits That Are Wasting Your Weekend

If it feels like you’re always working in the yard and still not getting the results you want, it might not be the size of your space—it could be your habits. Some landscaping routines do more harm than good or waste time without making your yard look better. These are the things that make your weekend feel like a chore and leave you wondering why the yard still looks off.

Let’s talk about what’s not worth your time.

Watering Every Day

Daily watering might feel like you’re staying ahead, but it actually makes your grass weak. Shallow roots can’t handle heat, drought, or foot traffic, which leads to more problems long term.

Instead, water deeply a few times a week. Letting the soil dry out a bit between watering helps roots grow down where they belong. That one switch alone can save you time and improve your lawn’s health.

Mowing Without a Pattern

If you always mow the same direction, you’re training your grass to lean one way—and that creates a flattened, uneven look. It also wears out the same spots over and over.

Change up your mowing direction each time. Go north-south one week, east-west the next. It takes no extra time but gives you a more even, professional finish without the patchy spots.

Edging After You Mow

Doing all your mowing and then grabbing the trimmer sounds logical, but it’s backwards. You end up blowing grass back onto areas you just cleaned up.

Try edging and trimming before you mow. That way, your mower can suck up and mulch the mess. It’s faster, and your cleanup looks more polished.

Bagging Clippings Every Time

You don’t need to bag every single time you mow. Grass clippings break down fast and feed your lawn. When you bag them all the time, you’re removing free nutrients and adding unnecessary work.

Skip the bagger unless your grass is long or wet. Letting clippings fall naturally can help thicken your turf and cut down on how often you need to fertilize.

Pruning at the Wrong Time

Grabbing the shears whenever you’re in the mood might not do your plants any favors. Pruning at the wrong time can kill off blooms or encourage new growth before a cold snap.

Learn when your shrubs actually want a trim. Spring bloomers usually need pruning right after flowering. Summer plants can handle it later. Timing matters more than frequency here.

Fighting Weeds Without Mulch

If you’re pulling weeds every weekend and still losing, there’s a good chance you’re not using mulch. Bare soil is an open invitation for weeds to settle in.

A couple of inches of mulch can smother new growth and keep moisture where it belongs. It saves you time, helps your plants thrive, and cuts down on the need for constant maintenance.

Overcomplicating Flower Beds

Too many different plants in one bed can turn into a headache. If they all have different watering needs or bloom cycles, you’ll spend more time babysitting than enjoying the view.

Stick to a few hardy options that do well in your zone. Repeating the same plants in different beds also looks more intentional. Less chaos, more curb appeal.

Raking When You Could Be Mulching

If you’re raking up every fallen leaf like it’s your job, you’re making more work than you need to. In many cases, you can mulch leaves right into your lawn instead.

Run your mower over dry leaves to chop them up. They’ll break down fast and feed your soil without the need for extra fertilizer. It’s faster and helps your lawn more than bagging them up.

*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.