Things to Consider Before You Start Building Your Flower Bed

Raised flower beds are a great addition to any yard. When you build your beds up above the natural dirt line, the soil is less compacted than the surrounding soil. This allows your plant's root system to expand more rapidly and excess water drains away faster so your plants don't become waterlogged. Both are critical to beautiful, lush flowers. Plus, you'll end up with a better grade of soil in your beds than is available in your yard.

Before you get out your shovel and start building flower beds, you should think about the type of plants you want to grow and your particular growing environment. If your yard is shaded but you want to grown roses, they may survive, but they'll never thrive. The sun/shade requirements of your plants are the most important thing, but you should also think about the mature height and width of the plants. If that shrub is going to grow to 15 feet, don't plant it in front of a window. In a few years, your window will be completely blocked by the hedge. Plus, it becomes a hiding spot for burglars breaking into your house.

When you have the perfect location for your raised bed and you've decided which plants you want, picking a border material is next. You'll want to match the general look and feel of your house. For example, you wouldn't want to use rough railroad ties around a very formal brick mansion. Today you have a wide variety to choose from. Your local nursery or garden center should have several options for you to look at. Try to visit as many stores as you can, since they probably each carry a different selection.

After you choose a border material, you'll need to measure the area so you can buy enough material. If your flower bed is not perfectly square or rectangular, you can use a garden hose to outline the bed, then stretch the hose out in a straight line and measure it.

Now it's time to get to roll up your sleeves and get to work - Contact Dave for more information about enhancing your landscape with raised flower beds.