12 Common Landscape Problems (and Solutions) in The Fraser Valley

Landscaping is supposed to make life easier, but sometimes, it introduces a whole new set of problems. Maybe your backyard floods after every rainfall. Maybe your mulch keeps washing away. Or maybe those tree roots are turning your lawn into a tripping hazard. You're not alone if you're dealing with any of these issues. Landscaping problems are common but solvable with the right plan, tools, and expertise. In this guide, we’ll walk through the most common landscape problems homeowners face and provide practical, long-lasting solutions tailored to our part of the world. Back 40 Landscaping solves tough landscape problems with long-term, low-maintenance solutions. Based in the Fraser Valley, we serve homeowners across Chilliwack, Abbotsford, Mission, Langley, and beyond, especially those living on hillsides, rural properties, and challenging terrain.

Whether managing water flow, building rock-solid retaining walls, or designing functional outdoor spaces, we’ve seen and fixed just about every landscape issue you can imagine. Our team combines practical experience with the right tools, techniques, and training to help you avoid the headaches from shortcuts or surface-level fixes.

Common Landscape Problems in the Fraser Valley and Solutions

Even a well-designed yard can bring unexpected challenges, and many of us aren't so lucky. Every outdoor space has quirks, from shady corners where nothing seems to grow to landscapes that demand too much of your time. The key is knowing how to turn those quirks into strengths with smart landscaping ideas that suit your lifestyle, aesthetic, and the realities of our region. In the next few sections, we’ll look at common issues and offer our expert insight about how to make them work for you.

Hills and Soil Erosion

Hilly areas and sloped yards can cause soil erosion and disrupt surrounding areas, such as garden beds and walkways. Soil erosion is the displacement of soil and a form of land degradation. It’s a natural process caused by water, ice, snow, air, plants, animals, and humans, but in residential landscapes, it often becomes a bigger issue due to poor grading or drainage.

What causes soil erosion? In many cases, it’s water runoff on sloped land. If left unchecked, it can wash away topsoil, expose roots, and make planting nearly impossible. Installing a properly engineered hardscape retaining wall is one of the best ways to prevent soil erosion and control runoff. Other types of hillside landscaping ideas include ground cover plants and mulch to help lock in soil, while also cutting down on maintenance.

Compacted Soil

If your yard feels rock-hard underfoot or water tends to sit on the surface instead of soaking in, you’re likely dealing with compacted soil. This happens naturally over time, especially in high-traffic areas, and it can make it almost impossible for grass and plants to grow properly.

So, how to fix compacted soil? The solution usually involves mechanical aeration. That's creating small holes in the ground to allow air, water, and nutrients to penetrate deeper. For severely compacted areas, adding organic matter like compost or topsoil may be necessary to improve the soil structure. In new or renovated landscapes, addressing compaction is a crucial first step. If you skip it, even the best plants or sod won’t thrive.

Sun

If your lawn gets full sun throughout the day, it could be damaging your grass, flowers, and garden beds. High sun exposure often leads to dry, compacted soil and stressed plants, especially if your watering routine can’t keep up.

An easy solution is to plant drought-tolerant perennials, which thrive in dry conditions and need less maintenance. Another option for these hot zones is a rock garden, a beautiful and practical way to manage sun exposure while reducing water use. For areas that need greenery but can’t support real grass, consider low-maintenance shade landscaping like artificial turf, which provides year-round visual appeal without the water bill.

Lack of Privacy

You most likely bought your home to enjoy your outdoor space. But if your backyard backs onto neighbours or open streets, you may retreat indoors instead. Landscaping for privacy is a smart way to reclaim that space and create a more peaceful, secluded yard.

To reclaim your personal space, consider adding trees or hedges around your yard’s perimeter. These natural barriers create a green wall between you and the outside world. Prefer something with less upkeep? A privacy screen, fence, or pergola offers a stylish, low-maintenance alternative.

Drifting Mulch or Gravel

Nothing ruins a tidy yard faster than mulch or gravel that won’t stay put. Drifting mulch and gravel is especially common on slopes or in areas with heavy rainfall or foot traffic. It can wash into lawn areas, onto patios, or even into drains.

Fix it by first taking a look at your drainage. Redirecting water away from beds with a perimeter drain or dry creek bed can reduce the runoff causing the problem. Next, make sure your mulch or gravel is installed over proper landscape fabric and secured with solid edging to help keep everything in place.

Small or Awkward Spaces

Tight corners, narrow side yards, and oddly shaped sections of your yard often get ignored, but they can be full of potential with the right approach. 

Start landscaping small backyards by identifying how you want to use the space. Are you looking for more space for relaxing, storage, or simply improving curb appeal? Even the smallest spots can benefit from intentional design. With the right layout and materials, awkward spaces can become charming nooks that complement the rest of your landscape, not an eyesore.

Problems With Drainage

If your yard does not have sufficient drainage, your outdoor space can become an unusable, muddy mess. Without a proper plan, excess water can pool in unwanted areas, drown plants, and even seep into your home. Intentional, professional drainage solutions are your best weapons against backyard flooding.

French drains or a perimeter drain are often the ideal approach, depending on where and how the water collects. These systems channel water away from vulnerable areas, keeping your yard dry and usable.

Not sure where to begin? Many homeowners ask: Who to call for drainage problems in the yard? The answer is a landscaping company that understands water flow, grading, and structural support. (That's us!👋) With the right fix in place, you'll be enjoying your landscape again in no time.

Shade

Just like too much sun can scorch your lawn, too much shade can make it difficult for plants to grow and thrive. Most plants need at least a few hours of direct sunlight, but that doesn’t mean your shady areas are a lost cause.

The solution? Focus on low-maintenance shade landscaping. Plenty of shade-loving perennials (plants that come back every season) thrive in low-light environments, offering colour and texture without constant upkeep. Hostas, ferns, and bleeding hearts are just a few examples. If you’re working with a deeply shaded corner of your yard, adding raised flower beds or garden paths can break up the space and make it feel more inviting.

High Maintenance Landscape

If your yard feels like a full-time job, you’re not alone. While lush landscaping looks beautiful at first, it often leads to an endless maintenance loop that's more exhausting than fulfilling. Constant watering, pruning, weeding, and trimming can eat up your weekends and your energy.

If you're feeling overwhelmed or want to guard against future chore-packed weekends, try blending softscape elements like plants and trees with hardscape features such as walkways, patios, and rock gardens. Adding pavers, gravel beds, or retaining walls reduces chores while solving problems like erosion, poor drainage, and uneven terrain.

Old or Dangerous Structures

Old decks, broken pathways, or crumbling patios can be downright hazardous in addition to unsightly. Tripping hazards, unstable railings, and uneven steps are all common issues we encounter in aging landscapes.

In some cases, repairing the structure might be possible, but often, it’s more cost-effective and safe to replace or redesign. Updating with low-maintenance hardscaping materials like pavers or composite decking gives your yard a fresh, modern look that’s built to last. If you’re unsure whether a structure is still safe or worth salvaging, it’s always a good idea to get a professional opinion before moving forward.

Tree Roots

Tree roots can create big problems in your landscape, especially when they begin to surface or spread near patios, walkways, or garden beds. They crack concrete and disrupt hardscapes and compete with grass and plants for water and nutrients.

Wondering what to do with tree roots above ground? In many cases, cutting them isn’t the best solution, since it can damage the health of the tree. Instead, consider accommodating them. Landscaping ideas around tree roots can include raised garden beds, mulch rings, or carefully planned hardscaping can help protect both the tree and your yard. Aim for options that reduce soil compaction, increase drainage, and minimize disturbance, like ground cover plants, decorative rock, or curved pathways that follow the root line.

Unwanted Wildlife

While it's great to share our outdoor spaces with nature, certain animals can quickly turn your yard into a source of frustration. No one wants raccoons digging through garden beds or deer snacking on your perennials. Unwanted wildlife can damage plants, spread disease, and create ongoing messes.

If you're tired of playing defence against the critters in your yard, the solution may be in your landscaping. Incorporating elements such as dense shrubs, fencing, or gravel borders can create gentle barriers that deter intruders. Choosing plants that are unappealing to problem wildlife (like lavender or ornamental grasses) can also help keep visitors at bay.

Landscaping Problems in the Fraser Valley? We Dig Those.

Back 40 Landscaping specializes in long-lasting, low-stress solutions that work with your yard, not against it. Tell us a bit about your project here. We’re excited to help you love your landscape again.