Fix Your Garden In 8 Steps (2024)

Sometimes a garden is too much of a mess to be salvaged. Here are the steps to building a new bed or border from scratch.

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Step 1: Mark It Out

Fix Your Garden In 8 Steps (1)

Make your new garden the best it can be. Give it a fun shape with flowing curves, or use it to echo the lines of your house. Get it just right by laying out a hose to outline your bed. Once you have the perfect shape, mark the edges with a line of sand or flour.

Editor's Tip: Always call your local utility companies and get your yard marked before you start digging.

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Step 2: Get Rid of the Grass

Fix Your Garden In 8 Steps (2)

If you have grass growing in your new garden spot, dig it up If you have grass growing in your new garden spot, dig it up with a spade or sod cutter. Or, if you have time to wait, mow that area as low as you can, then cover it with a several-sheet-thick layer of newspaper and several inches of soil or compost. Then, wait a couple of months for the grass to die.

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Step 3: Dig the Garden Bed

Fix Your Garden In 8 Steps (3)

Now comes the digging. For how to dig a garden bed, start by removing any rocks, roots, or other debris. If you have poor soil, now's also a great time to incorporate organic matter, such as compost. Just dig it in while you work the ground.

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Step 4: Edge Your New Bed

Fix Your Garden In 8 Steps (4)

Keep the lawn from crawling into your garden with a good edge. A trench about 8 inches deep and a couple of inches wide will stop even the worst invaders from crossing. Alternatively, sink an edging material around the perimeter of your garden.

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Step 5: Site Your Plants

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Though it takes a little extra time, placing all your plants before you put them in the ground can make a world of difference. This allows you to get the spacing right and make sure your plants look good next to each other.

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Step 6: Get Planting

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When you know all your plants are in the right spots, plant them in the ground. It's helpful to loosen or tease the plants' roots before you put them in the ground, especially if they're root bound.

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Step 7: Spread Mulch

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Other than amending the soil, the best thing you can do to keep your new garden healthy and low-maintenance is to spread mulch. A 2-inch-deep layer of shredded wood or other material will do wonders for stopping weeds and helping your soil conserve moisture during times of drought.

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Step 8: Water It In

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Once your bed is planted and mulched, give your plants a good soaking. If your mulch is dry, it may absorb some water before your plants can. Soak dry mulch well to make sure your plants get enough moisture.

Fix Your Garden In 8 Steps (2024)

FAQs

What does Laura LeBoutillier do for a living? ›

Laura LeBoutillier is an internet sensation. And in the gardening world, that's saying something! In the five years since she and her videographer/husband Aaron started making Garden Answer advice videos, Laura has collected a social media following of more than 5 million people.

What are the steps to garden? ›

Steps to Creating Your First Garden
  1. Choose Your Garden Type. Before you so much as break the soil, you should decide what kind of garden you want to grow. ...
  2. Pick Your Garden Spot. ...
  3. Test Your Soil. ...
  4. Amend Your Soil. ...
  5. Determine a Weed Strategy. ...
  6. Consider Your Sunlight. ...
  7. Plant Your Plot. ...
  8. Buy Your Plants.
Apr 25, 2023

How to start a backyard garden 11 steps for new gardeners? ›

  1. Step 1: Manage Your Expectations. ...
  2. Step 2: Decide On The Type of Planting Method. ...
  3. Step 3: The ABCD of a Perfect Garden Spot. ...
  4. Step 4: Pick a Suitable Garden Size. ...
  5. Step 5: Choose the Veggies. ...
  6. Step 6: Plan Your Vegetable Garden Layout. ...
  7. Step 7: Gather Your Tools and Materials. ...
  8. Step 8: Prepare the Garden Bed.
Mar 17, 2024

What is the most important thing in a garden? ›

Why and how it's important for gardeners to improve the soil in their gardens.

How does Laura from Garden Answer make her money? ›

According to Social Blade, Laura's channel has amassed millions of views, translating into substantial ad revenue and sponsorships. Product Endorsem*nts: Laura's collaborations with various brands in the gardening and lifestyle niche also contribute significantly to her net worth.

Who is Laura Garden Answer's husband? ›

Learn more about Laura and videographer/husband Aaron, whose social media brand, Garden Answer, has a following of more than 3 million people.

What is the alternative to steps in the garden? ›

Ramps represent a much safer option, providing a smooth means of changing level. Unfortunately, they require much more space than steps to produce a gentle gradient.

What vegetables grow well together? ›

Companion Planting Chart
Type of VegetableFriends
CabbageBeets, celery, chard, lettuce, spinach, onions
CarrotsBeans, lettuce, onions, peas, peppers, tomatoes
CornClimbing beans, cucumber, marjoram, peas, pumpkins, squash, sunflowers, zucchini
OnionsCabbage, carrots, chard, lettuce, peppers, tomatoes
12 more rows

How do you layout a garden for beginners? ›

As a general rule, put tall veggies toward the back of the bed, mid-sized ones in the middle, and smaller plants in the front or as a border. Consider adding pollinator plants to attract beneficial insects that can not only help you get a better harvest, but will also prey on garden pests.

What is the key to a successful garden? ›

Soil/Compost/Nutrients

Roots often need help to maneuver through the dense soil and access necessary air. To help alleviate this difficulty, adding compost, leaves, manure, fertilizer, or even compost tea can be beneficial. All these amendments will help create an ideal environment for plants to thrive in.

What are the four things people do in a garden? ›

15 activities to do in your back garden!
  • Plant a bulb. Add some colour to your garden, while engaging in a fun, family-friendly garden activity. ...
  • Hang a bird feeder. ...
  • Keep a nature diary. ...
  • Draw every insect and animal you see. ...
  • Make a picture from twigs and leaves. ...
  • Go stargazing. ...
  • Bird watch. ...
  • Play skipping.
Feb 18, 2022

Who pays for the work and plants on Love Your Garden? ›

TV presenters and architects George Bradley and Ewald Van Der Straeten, who are often make an appearance on the show, revealed on their website that the network funds the whole project.

How much does it cost to subscribe to Garden Answer? ›

Garden Answers app is a free download and free to use the automated search as often as you want. There is an option to subscribe to premium for $3.99, which is charged annually on the same date each year. Subscriptions are managed through your Apple or Google Play account on your device and not through the app.

Where do Laura and Aaron from Garden Answer live? ›

First and foremost, it's important to note that Garden Answer is filmed on location at the home of its creator, Laura LeBoutillier, in La Grande, Oregon. Laura and her husband Aaron have turned their property into a beautiful oasis that serves as the backdrop for Garden Answer's videos.

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