8 Details Pro Gardeners Always Notice About Your Garden

Perfecting your garden is a process of trial and error. And sometimes, when you’re in the thick of it, it’s nice to call in an expert for some sage advice or words of encouragement.

Here, four professionals weigh in on details they often notice about gardens that aren’t as obvious to the untrained eye. They have provided us with 8 things pro gardeners will always notice about your garden—and how to avoid making mistakes.

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Plant Spacing

Plant spacing can feel like quite the conundrum. At first, it might look like you spaced plants too far apart, but Keegan Nesvacil of Woodland Tools Co. says it’s crucial to allow them some breathing room.

“The most noticeable aspect from a distance is plant spacing,” Nesvacil says. “If you’re putting a bunch of plants in a very finite amount of space, they’ll be fighting for those resources in that very small area.”

The Size of Your Plants in Relation to Your House

On both your front yard and backyard garden, keep the ratio of the size of your plants to your house in mind to achieve a balanced look.

“It’s important to have plants and trees that complement your home’s size,” Marc Mayer of TruGreen says. “Trees and tall bushes are a good choice for a two-story home, and short plants are more appealing for a one-story home.”

If Plants Have Proper Sunlight

Your garden’s access to sunlight influences the plants you choose. Chris Burns, the director of operations for landscaping and design at Carson’s Nurseries, can tell when a home gardener has taken their time and researched the best spot to place specific flowers and shrubs.

“I always notice when people choose the right types of plants for the areas they want to plant in, whether it’s a more shady area or full sunlight,” he says. “I see a lot of gardens that are full sun where people are trying to grow plant material that is more suitable for shade.”

Unique Crop Varieties

Run-of-the-mill seeds are often a safe bet, but unique flower varieties and vegetables in your beds immediately stand out to farmers like Melissa Millsap, the owner of Urban Roots Farm, Turnbuckle Farm, and Lake Effect Farm.

“When you’re growing things as a living, you’re not so much growing for the excitement of it anymore,” she says. “But, I get so excited when I notice that my friends are trying out really wacky tomatoes.”

The Amount of Mulch You Use

It’s possible to have too much of a good thing, and that is especially true when it comes to mulch. When Nesvacil sees an area with excessive mulch, he refers to it as a “mulch mountain,” which he often sees pop up at the base of trees.

“Mulch is helpful to keep weeds out and help maintain moisture at the base,” he says. “But people tend to go way over the top with mulch and stack it up as high as three or four inches. 

Over-mulching can be harmful to plants because it can reduce the plant’s soil oxygen levels and cause the roots to suffocate.

Lots of Visible Weeds

Pro gardeners pay attention to the soil of your garden. They immediately notice if you manage to keep unwanted weeds at bay, but not just because they deem weeds unsightly. It’s because they know the impact weeds can have on the health of your garden. 

“If weeds start to take over, they can certainly deprive the plants you want to be growing of nutrients, especially if it’s a very invasive species,” Nesvacil says.

The Quality of the Pruning

Keeping your hedges trimmed can feel like a second full-time job. However, it’s not whether or not you’re keeping up with pruning that pro gardeners notice the most–It’s how well you pruned.

Improper pruning “may be due to a dull saw, cutting too close to the trunk or removing the majority of the branches to only leave a trunk,” Mayer says. The timing of when you prune also matters, as you should aim to prune before the onset of new growth in late winter or early spring.

Your Love of Gardening

If your garden is a labor of love, your hard work isn’t in vain. At the very least, professional gardeners notice how much time and effort you put into maintaining your handiwork. 

“With some gardens, you can tell that the owner has a passion for it,” Burns says. “You might notice that they’re out there working in it often, or you can just see the results of what they’ve been doing.”

On the other hand, Burns also says that he notices when people may not have taken the time to maintain their gardens. 

“Sometimes people want gardening to be something they can do, but they just don’t have time, and they unfortunately let it go,” he says.