What shape and material should I use for new beds on sides of porch

when I did my planting bed in front of the house I made them as deep as the stoop/ pourch, and carried them them to the edge of the house, rounding off the corners...it’s easier to mow that way.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWXVkWvAHDs Shows how to get a nice edge when making bed. Also, hose can help you decide where to put bed.

i would go with a comma shape, or something rounded to soften your square edges

I have always liked an organic shape. Kidney etc. Don't make it too deep as it really is a hassle when weeding.

Good Luck,

I always like a row of perenneil shrubs towards the back of the bed like azaleas, hardy fuschias, peonies, hydrangeas, rhododendrons all add color, and are lower maintenance than flowers. To me the hydrangeas and peonies are the most cottagey. Leave at least a foot and half behind the scrubs for air flow.

as for plantings....drive tru your neighbor hood, what plants catch your eye? do some research. .you dont want a plant that will invasive, some can damage the masonry. plant in layers, tallest to the back, medium..then smaller. plant each as if is fully grown. use annuals for color while the other plants "mature". do you have an outside tap to water those beds?

I would do window boxes, but i would extend the deck on both sides rounding off the edges, then i would plant a 2 - 3 foot row of small dwarf shrubs or lauropia, or hostas keeping your plantings low so you can see the home. I would use black mulch and paint the house white with gray , black or if you really want that old school farmhouse look green why green i don't have a clue...for my home i am painting my home a very faint gray with high gloss white trim, black around the old wooden orginal screens, then adding either white or black shutters i will let my house speak to me as i go and see what pops...Like all of us budget comands what we do and when .if that be the case paint just the front of the house for now plan the deck space and shape your border garden for where it will be, down the road, do one side of the deck then the other side later in a few years it will all come together. homes are forever, you can never have enough deck or porch on any home let alone a farmhouse

What a great porch! I’m glad you’re adding the third post too! Holy cow that’s quite a span. One tipster recommend rounding corners for ease of mowing and I’d like to add abother. You may want to consider bugs with your plantings near where you sit. I learned the hard way with my bee loving plants :)