it needs looking after /being looked after

The second is correct, not the first.
The first would be correct if you replaced "being" with "to be".

Ok,thank you very much once again

Use either.

Slight difference in meaning, IMO:

Big gardens seem like a nice idea, but they need (the task of ) being looked after.
Big gardens seem like a nice idea, but they need (someone) looking after (it.)

Not in British English !

quand meme

Evidemment tu ne sais rien des circonflexes.

disagree.
agree...

yes/yes

Some people don't like being corrected.

You'll get over it !

Big gardens seem like a nice idea, but they need being looked after.
Big gardens seem like a nice idea, but they need looking after.

=====================

Fresco wrote: The second is correct, not the first.

Region replied: disagree.

Forgetting 'correct' for the moment, where is such a collocation used, Region, Punkey?

They need to be washed.

?They need being washed. ?

I need to be enlightened.

?I need being enlightened. ? [possible, of course, but not the same meaning]

You need to be told.

? You need being told. ?

Big gardens seem like a nice idea, but they need looking after.

When I have a cold I need looking after.

When I have a cold I like being looked after.

like+being CORRECT
need+being INCORRECT

Big gardens seem like a nice idea,
but they need to be looked after

The OP asked WHICH ONE IS CORRECT?

I said both.

OP didn't ask which one is BETTER or PREFERRED.
OP didn't ask for a re-wording.

being + participle is permissible.

But then again, I don't NEED BEING RIGHT all the time

That really doesn't mean a whole lot, Punkey.



Is the underlined an example of being + participle?

Is needs being looked after an example of being + participle?