How do you create a new flower bed?

Vickie Vaughn
by Vickie Vaughn

How do you fill in a new flower bed before planting? Do you mulch before planting or after? How do you level it out? I just moved and currently my yard is not level and holds water. My front yard looks like a mud puddle at times. The landlord is supposed to get some dirt to level it out but is holding off till spring weather sets in. I want to start working on my yard! So I thought by starting a flower bed would be something I could do.

  3 answers
  • Kelli L. Milligan Kelli L. Milligan on Mar 13, 2019

    Be patient, let him get his work done. Still early.

  • Nancy Turner Nancy Turner on Mar 13, 2019

    I would wait until your landlord finishes grading the yard, he may have to harm what you do in the process, plus it sounds like it is way too early. Did he ok you putting in a garden? If he did, perhaps while he is grading the yard, he could open up where you want to plant your garden. He most likely is going to put in top soil in the yard and you need something like garden soil or potting soil or other type of amendments like compost for healthy plants. Make sure you get the ok on the garden and plant what you want, but go according to the sun the garden area gets each day. Your landlord may even help you out with supplies if he likes the idea of a garden or two in the yard. I lived in a rental house for fourteen years and it had planting areas along the front and sides of the porch and around one side of the house. She didn't chip in on the project at all, but welcomed me to do it. Due to all the mature trees on the property around the house, I planted it with Hostas and they grew wonderfully. This will actually improve the value of his rental property due to the increased curb appeal and can lead to getting being able to raise the rental value to future tenants. You could also see if he has ideas for other garden areas he may want. I know my landlord let me put in a vegetable garden in the back yard with no repercussions when I moved out.

  • Lynn Sorrell Lynn Sorrell on Mar 13, 2019

    Mulch is very last step; level it out with a hard rake( better wear gloves so you don't get blisters); you can add bags of organic compost to flower/garden beds and mix it really well into soil that is already there don't plant til after Mothers Day--unless you are in really warm climate;wait til he is done so he doesn't trample your new flowers