#landscaping tips

henlo! a lot of people asked me about how I landscaped my town in some of the photos I posted so here are some of my tips for landscaping your island to make it look more natural or just add some cute touches :+)

Pick a theme! this is very important as you want to be able to landscape your town based on the theme/vibe you want on your island! For my town I want a woodsy/forest vibe filled with white flowers! (You don’t have to have one colour theme you can use several different coloured flowers in your town whatever you prefer <3!

Now you have an idea of what vibe you want on your island you can pick a spot that you want to landscape! At the moment I’m only focusing on one part of the island instead of doing several different parts of the island because I find it more organised but you can start wherever you like.

Use weeds to make paths or scatter a few around! you can use a mix of weeds (there are three different types) or you can use one type of weed to make a path I normally use clovers!

+ also grow some of your weeds to different stages or keep them small when making paths I usually keep my weeds in the first stage of growth I used this weed growing guide to help control the growth of the weeds

Plant flowers everywhere! Put one or two around trees and a few in little patches you can use one type of flower or put different types of flowers together to add some variety!

Have a mix of trees! You can plant cedar trees on the ground not just on the mountains and it looks more foresty when there is a mix of hardwood trees and cedar trees I also added a few bamboo and palm trees around my island to get a more tropical theme too.

+ I also like to chop down trees and leave the stumps in the ground to open up the space when there are too many trees around and they make cute little seats and make it look more realistic (you can also chop down trees at different growing stages to make lil mini stumps :3)

Use custom designs to decorate the ground, I added some sparkles, tiles, picnic blankets, wood planks, I also use the island designer app to lay down dirt paths to make small gardens/farms where you can plant saplings and flower buds <3!

Add loads of furniture/decorations and just really clutter everything like garden lanterns, benches , tiny libraries, books, stools, pillows, stalls etc. It really depends on what theme you want on your island :+)!

+ you don’t have to do this but I also add in single fences/ log stakes next to trees or flowers because they look cute idk?

customise items so they fit with your theme and overall vibe! Make sure that everything is the way you would like it! It takes a long time to landscape your town fully and you may want to change your theme throughout <3!

+ Here’s a small example with labels of some simple landscaping I did earlier I hope this helps explain it more?

The Sims 4 Landscaping Tutorial-Curb Appeal

Wondering what to do about the space in the front porch or searching for a garden you don't have to care for? Or maybe you just want an overgrown cottage style gardens? In this video we look at shrubs that go well with each other and how to showcase them in a natural looking overgrown cottage style garden curb appeal.

The Sims 4 Landscaping Tutorial - A Semi-Romantic Garden

If you’ve got a garden in Auckland, you probably know how quickly pests can take over. One day, everything looks healthy and thriving — and the next, you spot aphids on your roses, slugs devouring your lettuce, or tiny caterpillars munching away at your veggies. It’s frustrating, right?

The good news is, you don’t need harsh chemicals to protect your garden. Over the years, I’ve learned some natural, eco-friendly ways to keep pests under control — and my plants are thriving because of it. Here’s what works for me in Auckland’s climate.

Auckland gardens come with their fair share of pests. From my experience, these are the usual suspects:

Aphids: Tiny little bugs that suck sap from plants and weaken them.

Slugs and Snails: They seem to love the same plants I do — especially lettuces and seedlings.

Caterpillars: They munch on leaves when you’re not looking!

Mites and Thrips: Small but harmful, leaving spots or deformities on leaves and flowers.

I quickly realized that using chemicals often does more harm than good. That’s when I started looking into natural ways to protect my garden, and it’s made a huge difference.

What I Do to Keep Pests Away Naturally

1. Neem Oil — My Go-To Bug Repellent

I keep a bottle of neem oil handy. It’s amazing for controlling aphids, mites, and whiteflies.

How I use it: Mix it with water and a tiny bit of mild soap, then spray on leaves and stems.

Tip: I always spray early in the morning or late in the evening to avoid burning the leaves.

It’s safe for bees and other pollinators, which is a big win in my garden.

2. Companion Planting — Planting Smart

I’ve found that planting certain herbs and flowers near veggies really helps:

Marigolds near tomatoes and peppers keep aphids away.

Basil and mint around the garden ward off flies and mosquitoes.

Chives and garlic near cabbage and other leafy greens help prevent pests.

It’s like having a natural defense system built into your garden.

3. Invite the Good Bugs

I learned to embrace insects that are actually helpful:

Ladybugs eat aphids.

Praying mantises are great at controlling caterpillars.

Lacewings target tiny pests like mealybugs.

I even planted dill and fennel to attract them — it’s amazing how nature balances itself when you give it a chance.

4. Simple DIY Sprays

Sometimes, all you need is a quick homemade solution:

Soap spray: Mix a little liquid soap with water to tackle aphids.

Garlic-chili spray: Blend garlic and chili with water, strain, and spray on plants — works wonders for most pests.

These are cheap, easy, and don’t leave chemicals in your garden.

5. Mulch and Physical Barriers

Auckland’s damp soil can be perfect for slugs and snails, so I’ve started:

Using mulch to keep soil moist and prevent weeds.

Laying crushed eggshells around my lettuces and cabbage to keep slugs away.

Covering vulnerable plants with netting if pests are particularly bad.

Sometimes, simple steps like these are more effective than anything else.

6. Regular Garden TLC

The biggest tip I can give? Keep an eye on your garden:

Remove dead leaves or debris where pests hide.

Rotate crops in your veggie beds.

Check plants daily, so you can catch infestations before they spread.

A tidy garden is naturally healthier and less prone to pest problems.

Final Thoughts

Keeping your Auckland garden pest-free doesn’t have to be complicated. By using natural methods — neem oil, companion planting, beneficial insects, and a bit of observation — you can enjoy healthy, thriving plants without chemicals.

I’ve found that working with nature, rather than against it, is the key. And honestly, it feels better knowing that my garden is safe for my kids, pets, and the environment.