Creating a New Garden Bed

In my current home, I have prepared six new garden beds from scratch. Each one better than the last. One of the tell-tale signs of future planting success is the preparation of the new bed itself. 

With the benefit of several new beds under my belt, I have developed a process of steps which  increase the prospects of the plants I intend to add to the garden.

Firstly, there is a great benefit to first testing the soil. Before digging up the grass, it’s vital to ensure that the quality of the soil will be receptive to the plants you wish to add. Even in my small property (150 ft x 26 ft), the soil is never the same. In the front yard, we are rich with coniferous trees, producing a slightly more acidic soil. While in the backyard, the pH is neutral but sandy. 

Once I have determined that the soil is of good quality (or has potential with the help of some amending), I plan out shape by laying out an old garden hose in the shape I desire. Once I have determined the shape, I have moved towards a no-till method where I add a layer of paper yard waste bags and 2-3” of mulch to kill the grass in the area. Typically, I let this process occur over 10-12 months to ensure no sneaky grass enters my newly formed garden bed. Taking the no-till route ensures that I preserve the topsoil and all of its incredible nutrients. Once the grass has been disposed of, I cut the edge of the garden bed with an electric edging machine and lift any soil/grass from the shoulder. I smooth out of the edges and sometimes add some natural edging material (stone, river rock, leftover bricks) to delineate the lawn and the garden. Once the edges are complete, I continue to amend the garden bed with some fresh compost from the compost pile prior to planting. I will very gently till in the compost taking care not to disturb the existing topsoil. 

Once the plants are arranged in pots and with the correct spacing, I will plant and water in each new addition before adding 2-3” of organic, well-aged natural mulch for moisture retention and weed control.

In the cases of very heavy soils (e.g., clay), a gardener may want to employ the double digging method as they prepare the garden bed. The process of double digging is essentially cultivating the soil by going the depth of two spades (approximately 50cm/20”). Double digging is critical for previously-untended, heavy soil areas to improve draining and ensure that the garden bed has the rich nutrient required for the intended plants. Double digging allows the gardener to amend the soil with rich organic matter (e.g., compost) more deeply and break up the existing heavier soil. For a detailed procedure on double digging, the RHS provides an excellent overview. 

Once garden beds are prepared, gardeners may consult one of the many free garden plans available online for plant selection and design inspiration.