Planning Your Garden Bed
Begin by assessing the type of light your garden receives, as it will determine the ideal plants to choose. Observe your yard throughout the day to gauge the amount of sunlight different areas receive. Plants are categorized as needing full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight daily), partial sun (around half of that), or full shade (little to no direct sunlight). Keep in mind that sunlight patterns change with the seasons, with morning sun being gentler than the intense afternoon sun.
When planning your garden bed, think about how it will look throughout all four seasons. Mixing annual and perennial flowers that bloom at different times can achieve year-round beauty. Adding shrubs and small trees can elevate your flower bed’s overall appeal.
Don’t overlook the importance of plant placement. Arrange taller plants at the back and shorter ones in the front to provide depth and privacy to your garden.
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This flower bed uses gentle curves to create a shape that naturally draws the eye to the entryway and makes the space feel more welcoming. To achieve this look, lay out a garden hose to outline the pattern first before digging the bed.
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This bed is accented with stacks of natural stone, which provide texture and structure. You don’t necessarily have to build a wall; one or two well-placed rocks our small boulders add interest to any bed when artistically placed.
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Raised beds allow you to plant in what may be otherwise unsuitable conditions, such as sandy, rocky or clay soil. They can be a few inches to a few feet tall, which make gardening easier on the back, too.
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You don’t have to have a dedicated vegetable garden; combine edibles and ornamentals in the same bed for a pretty and practical garden. Here, tomatoes tumble alongside annuals such as flossflower. Flowers also attract and support pollinators, which is essential for some crops such as squash to form fruit. You even can incorporate edible flowers in your garden design!
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Tall flowering plants, like those found in meadows, are beautiful and support pollinator insects. While it’s not practical to transform your entire yard into a meadow, you can convert a small portion, such as a narrow strip along the driveway or a small border area along your property line.
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Your flower garden is already colorful, but adding an accent piece in an eye-catching hue, such as this sunny-yellow Adirondack chair, puts your personal stamp on it.
