The Most Expensive Landscaping Mistakes Homeowners Make in Colorado (and How to Avoid Them)

Most landscaping mistakes don’t look expensive at first. They look fine until a season or two goes by—then suddenly you’re replacing plants, fixing drainage, or wondering why nothing seems to thrive.

And guess how long most companies warranty their work? You guessed it; one year.

In Colorado, the margin for error is smaller than most people think.

Why This Matters

Between intense sun, dry conditions, and unpredictable weather, your landscape is under constant stress. Forget the added factors such as deer and elk thanklessly using your new flower bed as a gourmet salad buffet…

What works in other states doesn’t always work here. And we often see homeowners doing everything “right”—but still running into the same issues.

The Mistakes That Cost the Most Over Time

1. Overwatering (and weakening your landscape)

It’s the most common issue we see. More water feels like the safe move. When something starts turning yellow or brown, everyone immediately assumes it’s because the weather is so hot and dry.

But adding too much water often leads to:

- Shallow root systems

- Increased disease

- Wasted water and higher bills

- Drowned plants

What works better:

- Deeper, less frequent watering that encourages roots to grow down—not stay at the surface.

Watering your plants slower, more deeply, and less frequently helps them develop strong roots that grow deep, pulling water from larger areas of soil.

Pro Tip: Run your drip system early in the morning and late at night, for 30 minutes each time. Then shut off your system. Over the next 2-3 days, check the soil from a random sampling of your plants to see how moist it is 3-6” deep.

- Wet=don’t water

- Sticks together=perfect

- Dry & crumbly=add water

Now you know how often to run your system!

2. Planting without considering sun and exposure

Not all parts of your yard are the same. We regularly see plants installed in full sun when they need shade, in wind-exposed areas without protection, and in spots where reflected heat becomes an issue.

They might survive, but they won’t thrive. What works better is to match your plant selection to microclimates around your property—not just what looks good at the nursery.

3. Skipping soil preparation

This one gets overlooked ALL the time. Colorado soil often needs help—but many installations skip that step entirely. This results in poor drainage, nutrient deficiencies, and plants that never fully establish.

What works better is to amend the soil early and build a foundation that actually supports long-term growth.

4. Ignoring drainage and grading

Water has to go somewhere. When it’s not planned correctly, you get:

- Standing water

- Erosion

- Long-term damage to both landscape and hardscape

Start with:

- Designing for water movement from the start—not fixing it later.

What This Means for You

Most of these mistakes don’t show up immediately. They show up months—or years—later, when the cost to fix them is much higher.

A well-planned landscape should get better over time, not get harder to manage.

Final Thought

The difference between an average landscape and a great one isn’t just how it looks on day one.

It’s how well it was thought through from the beginning.