Whether you've moved to a new home with overgrown flowerbeds, or you want to give your plain backyard some character, learning how to create the garden of your dreams can seem daunting if you're new to the hobby.

However, the following lessons in what not to do should help you avoid any costly outdoor catastrophes while cultivating your plot. From killing your newly laid lawn to planting in the wrong place at the wrong time, click or scroll on for the most common gardening mistakes and how to fix them.