Miranda’s Botanical Garden
Interestingly enough, I garden differently than I do most other things, which is to say I take a responsible approach, so I actually feel like my advice is decent.
Take Your Time
Plan, Plan, Plan
Save Money
Here’s where I started. It was a lot of work hauling the stones to the backyard - which is why I say take your time. Unless you have help, expect the process to take awhile.
Taking your time isn’t all bad! Initially, I thought I wanted two round flower beds with a bench in between them. However, after I sat with it for a few weeks, I decided it wasn’t quite right.
The new shape I decided on is MUCH better both visually and it’s also larger so it allows me to plant a lot more flowers and bushes.
I was talking to a friend about the flowerbed I was making and I showed him pictures. He was shocked to hear I was using the fence as the back of the bed. He had a good point, so I added wood boards held to the back of the stones by rebar that I hammered into the ground. This is why I say “Plan, Plan, Plan”.
Here are some of the things to consider:
How much sunlight does the space get? That will determine the plants you can get - Full Sun, Part Sun, or Full Shade. Look up flowers you like and see what kind of sun they need.
What size and shape do you want the flowerbed to be? It’s a lot easier to change that in the beginning. Make sure the shape suits the space. Consider two heights for the bed. Make sure it’s big enough so it’s not swallowed by the space but not so big that it’s out of place.
What materials do you want to use for the flowerbed? Stones, wood frames, lattice along the back, etc. That helps you consider cost and design.
I chose to use retaining wall blocks. I love how they’re all technically gray but they’re all slightly different.
Before adding the dirt, I put landscaping fabric across the bottom. I also put plastic sheets around the inside of the stones so water from the dirt won’t seep through the stones.
I mostly purchased bulbs through nurseries online but I knew I wanted several bushes so we went to a local nursery.
And there you have it! Now we wait for Spring!