Building a Flower Bed From Scratch

Building a new flower bed is not a difficult task, but it is a big job.

See that teeny little one to the right? that is the one we are going to be building today!

One thing I like to do before I start to dig up the grass and make a new bed, is draw a diagram of my garden. I put all of the existing features on graph paper and then experiment with new shapes and positions until I find the one that will easily compliment the garden.

Once that is done, you will need to create your shape. I use a garden hose to make the curvy beds...but use turf spray or powdered chalk for more rigid or square shapes. You can also use string tied to a garden stake as a guide for cutting your shape. After you have "mapped" out your new shape on the lawn, you should then take a minute or two to view the new area from different locations in your yard. If you are satisfied with the way it will look , you can begin to cut it out!

I use a sharpened half moon edger and a flat shovel to remove the sod from the inside of the new bed. Dig down with your shovel or edger about 5 inches deep. I like to cut squares that are not too heavy for me to lift. I pick up each square and knock the excess soil from the bottom, being careful not to leave any grass roots behind. You can then use the removed sod in a different location, or discard it if you don't need it. If you plan to re-use the sod, store it in a cool place so as not to distress it too much.

You can now loosen the rest of the soil. Dig down about 2 feet and turn the soil. This will help make sure you don't leave behind any weeds or grass roots. It will also make adding compost, manure, or peat moss a lot easier to mix in. Now is a good time to decide if you will need more soil or if once the existing soil has been "fluffed up" it will be enough. I don't generally need extra soil when building a smaller size bed. Some of the larger beds will need a little more to mound them a little bit. Once you have finished turning the soil, clean up your edges and make sure they are smooth and not jagged or messy. Now is when you will have the option of making a "Tootsie trench" or adding edging material of your choice. (to review the method of my Tootsie trenches...see previous post called "the scoop on my flower bed edges...)

After you have done all of these things, you are ready to start planting....have you chosen your plants yet?

I have stuck a rose bush that I have had no idea where to plant it in there...and some Gerber Daisy's are there...I have set them in place to decide if they are where they need to be.

I even have an audience!

Once I planted my Gerber's, I decided that it was not full enough...so I robbed another flower bed of a few Sweet Williams......I also added a solar rock..that smiles...and a Dracena. Hey..the rock is sort of creepy when he lights up...so if someone steals it...go ahead! lol...Move the big pot out of the way, and start the clean up!

another view...looks like I need to pressure spray that dirt stain from the pot away!

…and another. I better not forget to dead head that Rose!

My supervisor is here to inspect!
See the smiling rock? his face lights up after dark...a little scary so I put it here where it won't get so much sun and be lit for so long!

Wow! We did it! Am I proud of us! It only took 1/2 hour!

Well....now I need a glass of something cold...

Thanks for stopping by today…I hope you will stop again…and maybe join in the fun for Fertilizer Friday there are so many great posts every week!

Until Next Time…Happy Gardening!

*)*)*) Some people are the flowers in your garden of life. Others are the manure that makes your garden stronger

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`*.¸.*´Glenda/Tootsie
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(¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`•.
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original posting 07/08/08