Busting 10 Common Landscaping Myths (So Your Yard Doesn’t Fall for Them)
Landscaping is equal parts science, art, and stubborn trial-and-error. Unfortunately, a lot of “common wisdom” floating around garden centers and neighborhood barbecues is flat out wrong. Let’s clear the mulch and separate fact from fiction.
Native Plants = Zero Maintenance
Myth.
Reality: Some natives spread like gossip (we’re looking at you, black-eyed Susan). Others are divas about soil pH. Research local ecotypes before you commit.
Fall Is Pruning Season
Myth.
Reality: Open wounds + cool, wet weather = fungal buffet. Prune deciduous trees in late winter; evergreens in early summer. Exceptions exist—bleeding maples hate spring cuts.
Daily Sprinkles Keep Lawns Lush
Myth.
Reality: Shallow daily watering creates weak roots and fungal parties. Give turf 1–1.5 inches of water 1–2 times per week. Deep roots = drought-proof grass.
Trees Belong Right Next to the House for Instant Shade
Myth.
Reality: Roots love plumbing lines like raccoons love trash cans. Large shade trees need 15–20 feet of clearance from foundations; ornamental trees can sneak in at 6–10 feet. Your future self (and your plumber) will thank you.
A Layer of Gravel Under Soil = Perfect Drainage
Myth.
Reality: Congratulations, you just built a perched water table. Water pools above the gravel instead of draining through it. Fix soggy spots with a proper French drain.
Volcano Mulching Is Tree TLC
Myth.
Reality: Piling mulch against trunks invites rot, pests, and girdling roots. Keep it 2–3 inches deep and pull it back 2–4 inches from the bark. Your tree isn’t a volcano goddess.
Grass Clippings Cause Thatch
Myth.
Reality: Clippings are free nitrogen and vanish fast. Only bag them if they’re clumping after rain. Otherwise, leave ‘em—your lawn eats its own fertilizer.
Landscape Fabric = Weed-Proof Forever
Myth.
Reality: Weeds colonize the top of the fabric in 2–3 years. Try cardboard + 4–6 inches of mulch for biodegradable suppression, or budget time for occasional hand-weeding.
Spring Planting Is Always Superior
Myth.
Reality: Fall (6–8 weeks before frost) is prime time for perennials, shrubs, and trees. Cooler air + warm soil = root party. Spring works for annuals, but don’t sleep on autumn.
More Fertilizer = Greener Everything
Myth.
Reality: Excess fertilizer burns roots and pollutes waterways. You can get a soil test at Site One in Ocala and have it reviewed by UF for a custom plan.
The Ultimate Myth: “Set It and Forget It”
Even “low-maintenance” landscapes need seasonal check-ins: divide perennials, refresh mulch, tweak irrigation. Think of your yard as a living investment, not a diorama.
