Adding flower beds

351 Views 3 Replies 3 Participants Last post by bencrabtree27, 1 mo ago

Ndgardener

Discussion Starter · 1 mo ago

Hey! I'm a very novice gardener, and as you can see I have a pretty big and empty backyard. This is only half of it. I'd like to have a cut flower garden back here (less to mow, help the birds and bees, and flowers are pretty!!). But I have questions - should I build it right up against the fence? Do a raised bed? This is kind of a low spot in the yard...should I build up the ground a little? Any advice would be much appreciated.

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Aggrorider1

· #2 · 1 mo ago

This forum is great for lawn care however I find it lacking in landscaping input. I would love to find a site similar to this in that aspect or see this forum grow more in this section.

I personally like natural edging to garden beds and think they look best without being raised much if any. That location looks fairly close to the neighbors house and I would be a little concerned with raising the area and creating new drainage issues. Could just be the angle of the photo though.

Keep in mind the mature size of what you will be planting to have correct spacing from the fence and other plants.

An example of natural edging and not raising the ground taken from google image search below.

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Ndgardener

Discussion Starter · #3 · 1 mo ago

Aggrorider1 said:
This forum is great for lawn care however I find it lacking in landscaping input. I would love to find a site similar to this in that aspect or see this forum grow more in this section.

I personally like natural edging to garden beds and think they look best without being raised much if any. That location looks fairly close to the neighbors house and I would be a little concerned with raising the area and creating new drainage issues. Could just be the angle of the photo though.

Keep in mind the mature size of what you will be planting to have correct spacing from the fence and other plants.

An example of natural edging and not raising the ground taken from google image search below.

View attachment 12464

That is pretty gorgeous, and more what I envision in my head when I think of a flower garden. In the spring, we tend to get standing water there when all of our snow melts, especially because the neighbors have a very aggressive grade there on that side of our their house. That makes me worry about any perennials!

I may have to think about my plan for a while longer, but I really love that look. Thanks for your response!!

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bencrabtree27

· #4 · 1 mo ago

Welcome to TFL, Being a novice this will be a time to start learning about plants. Understanding what tolerates shade, amount of water, etc. The more you learn and the more you plant youll want to switch up the bed a bit. I agree with @Aggrorider1. Start with a simple natural edge, trust me - the shape of your bed will change once things are planted and definitely change year to year as you add/subtract plants and their growth.

@Aggrorider1 also hit it on the head with making sure you understand the mature size of the plant when you plant. Way too often I see too much stuff crammed in a small spot.

My best advice would be to go to a reputable nursery near you and talk with someone, have them show you things that will work for you. I.E. plants that can tolerate the environment in that corner (definitely show them the pic!) and most importantly what you would like to see there. If you want to see perennials that re-bloom, or shrubs/flowers that the birds and the bees like. They'll know whats best, and can direct you that way. I wouldn't be afraid of perennials, you'd be surprised how hardy some can be.

As far as adding any soil, If there is a low spot in the middle of the corner (not the fence), I would just toss the dirt you dig up from the edge and throw it in the low spot and level it all off before you plant. Mulch heavy if it is a new bed, dont be afraid to lay it on thick, and if you plant in the spring, make sure you keep them watered.

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