The Most Common Landscape Questions Gardeners Ask (and The Home & Garden Store provides you with Clear Answers)

Every season, gardeners tend to ask the same core questions about their landscape. Whether you’re new to gardening or have years of experience, these concerns come up again and again. Below are the most common landscape questions gardeners ask, along with clear, practical answers to help you grow with confidence.

Fertilize, water, prune, location? - It should all start with a concept design

1. What’s Wrong With My Plant?

This is the most common gardening question of all.

Most plant problems are caused by watering issues, not pests or disease. Overwatering can suffocate roots and cause yellowing leaves, while underwatering often leads to wilting, browning, and leaf drop. Other frequent causes include poor drainage, planting in the wrong location (too much or too little sun), nutrient deficiencies, or temperature stress.

What to do:

• Check soil moisture before watering

• Make sure water drains properly

• Confirm the plant is suited for the site

• Look closely for insects or disease before treating

2. What Should I Plant Here?

Gardeners often struggle with choosing the right plant for a specific spot.

This question usually involves sun exposure, soil type, space limitations, or environmental stress like heat, wind, or drought. Plants thrive when they are matched to their environment rather than forced to adapt.

What to do:

• Observe how much sun the area gets each day

• Note soil conditions and drainage

• Choose plants suited to our climate and conditions

• Consider the mature size of the plant

3. How Often Should I Water?

Watering confusion is extremely common.

Different plants have different water needs, and lawns, trees, shrubs, and flowers should not all be watered the same way. Shallow, frequent watering can actually weaken plants by encouraging shallow root systems.

What to do:

• Water deeply and less often

• Adjust watering based on weather and season

• Newly planted plants need more frequent watering

• Established plants need deeper, longer watering intervals

4. When Should I Prune This?

Improper pruning is one of the main reasons plants fail to bloom or grow well.

Some plants bloom on old wood, while others bloom on new growth. Pruning at the wrong time of year can remove flower buds or stress the plant.

What to do:

• Identify whether the plant blooms on old or new wood

• Prune spring-flowering plants after they bloom

• Prune summer-flowering plants in late winter or early spring

• Remove dead or damaged branches anytime

5. How Do I Get Rid of Pests or Weeds?

Pests and weeds are inevitable, but they don’t always require chemicals.

Many insect problems are seasonal and may resolve on their own. Overusing pesticides can harm beneficial insects and create bigger issues later.

What to do:

• Identify the pest before treating

• Use physical removal when possible

• Encourage beneficial insects

• Spot-treat weeds rather than blanket spraying

6. Why Does My Lawn Look Bad?

Lawns often show problems first because they’re heavily used and closely monitored.

Common lawn issues include improper watering, dull mower blades, compacted soil, nutrient imbalance, or insect damage.

What to do:

• Water deeply and infrequently

• Mow at the proper height (will change based on season)

• Aerate compacted soil

• Fertilize appropriately for the season

7. What Plants Won’t Deer or Rabbits Eat?

This is a frequent concern in many areas.

While no plant is completely deer- or rabbit-proof, some are far less appealing due to scent, texture, or taste (The Home & Garden Store has an article on this issue).

What to know:

• Animals eat what’s available when hungry

• Young plants are more vulnerable

• Plant diversity reduces damage

• Physical barriers can be very effective

8. How Can I Make My Landscape Lower Maintenance?

More gardeners are looking for ways to reduce upkeep.

Low-maintenance landscapes focus on proper plant selection, efficient watering, and smart design (we have an article on this subject also).

What to do:

• Choose plants adapted to our climate

• Group plants with similar water needs

• Use mulch to reduce weeds and water loss

• Avoid high-maintenance plants in difficult locations

9. Why Didn’t My Plant Come Back This Year?

This question comes up every spring.

Plants may fail to return due to winter damage, poor drainage, incorrect hardiness selection, or stress from the previous season.

What to do:

• Check hardiness ratings before planting

• Improve drainage in problem areas

• Be patient as some plants leaf out late

10. How Do I Improve My Soil?

Healthy soil is the foundation of a healthy landscape.

Poor soil structure, low organic matter, or nutrient imbalances can limit plant growth.

What to do:

• Add a high-quality compost regularly

• Avoid working soil when it’s too wet

• Use mulch to protect soil structure

• Test soil before adding fertilizer

  

  Mother and daughter out plant shopping...

Final Thoughts

Most landscape problems can be traced back to plant choice, watering practices, timing, and site conditions. When those four elements are right, gardens become healthier, easier to maintain, and far more enjoyable.

If you ever have questions, remember—there are no bad gardening questions, only opportunities to learn and grow and The Home & Garden Store is here to help you with “your home and garden success.

The Home & Garden Store – Boise, Idaho

www.thehomeandgardenstore.com

ph: 208.350.6888/208.917.4820