5 Common Landscaping Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)

Avoid the most frequent landscaping pitfalls: ordering too little mulch, using the wrong soil, skipping weedmat, poor drainage, and forgetting compaction. Learn what goes wrong, how to fix it, and how to get it right the first time—with the help of Nepean Landscape Supplies.

Whether you’re a DIY backyard warrior or a seasoned landscaper, mistakes can happen. But when they do, they usually cost time, money, and a whole lot of sweat. The good news? Most landscaping blunders are totally preventable—with a bit of planning and the right advice.

Here are five of the most common landscaping mistakes we see—and how to avoid them like a pro.

1. Ordering Too Little Mulch

The Mistake:
Underestimating how much mulch you need. You get halfway through the job, realise you’re short, and by the time you come back, the mulch batch might look different—or worse, the job loses momentum.

How to Avoid It:
Use our mulch calculator or talk to the team at Nepean to get the exact volume you need for your garden beds. Aim for 75mm thick for maximum weed suppression and moisture retention.

Top Tip: We always recommend ordering about 5–10% extra to account for settling and uneven surfaces.

2. Using the Wrong Soil

The Mistake:
Grabbing any old “dirt” and expecting it to perform miracles. Different gardens need different soils—what works for lawns won’t suit veggie patches or native plants.

How to Avoid It:
Use the right blend for the right purpose. For example:

• Turf underlay for new lawns
• Veggie mix for raised beds
• Native blend for Australian plants
• Screened topsoil for general landscaping

Talk to us before you buy—we’ve got soil science experts on hand to help you choose the perfect mix.

3. Skipping the Weedmat

The Mistake:
Laying mulch or pebbles straight onto the soil without any weed barrier. It looks great at first… until the weeds start poking through.

How to Avoid It:
Lay quality weedmat or landscape fabric beneath your mulch, stones, or decorative gravel. It reduces weeding, keeps things neat, and helps your mulch last longer.

Look for breathable weedmat that lets water through while blocking light to stop weeds.

4. Poor Drainage Planning

The Mistake:
Ignoring how water will flow through your landscape. Pooling, soggy patches, or run-off damage can ruin your garden—and even your house foundations.

How to Avoid It:
Design with drainage in mind:

• Use roadbase and crushed rock for pathways or areas that need compaction.
• Install ag pipes or drainage cells in garden beds or retaining walls.
• Grade surfaces away from buildings.

Chat to us about materials and site prep to ensure proper drainage from the start.

5. Forgetting to Compact

The Mistake:
Laying pavers, turf, or gravel without compacting the base. It might look fine on day one, but over time, it will sink, shift, or become uneven.

How to Avoid It:
Use a compactor to firm up your base material—especially under driveways, pathways, patios, and synthetic turf. A well-compacted base is key to long-lasting, professional results.

We also supply compaction materials like crushed granite, roadbase, and metal dust.

Avoid Mistakes with Nepean Landscape Supplies

We’ve helped thousands of NSW landscapers, tradies, and home gardeners avoid costly errors by delivering:

• The right products for the job
• Expert soil and material advice
• Accurate volume estimates
• Fast, reliable delivery services

Need Help Getting It Right?

Drop by Nepean Landscape Supplies, where we don’t just sell products—we help you build smarter.