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

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

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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

Fix Your Garden In 8 Steps (5)

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

Fix Your Garden In 8 Steps? ›

Try to compost any organic matter you clear for later use. Cut back overgrown hedges and weeds, but hold back on the trees at first. They can be very difficult to fully remove (you're often left with a huge stump that's worse than before) and take so long to grow and establish that it's difficult to replace them.

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

How do I fix my garden? ›

Instant garden makeover ideas
  1. Mow and weed the lawn.
  2. Tidy paths and patios.
  3. Add colour with planting.
  4. Light up the garden.
  5. Add some garden party panache.
  6. Make the table the centrepiece.
  7. Create a kids' play space.
  8. Cosy up with cushions and covers.

How do I completely reset my garden? ›

Try to compost any organic matter you clear for later use. Cut back overgrown hedges and weeds, but hold back on the trees at first. They can be very difficult to fully remove (you're often left with a huge stump that's worse than before) and take so long to grow and establish that it's difficult to replace them.

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.

How do I get my old garden ready? ›

  1. Clear Out Weeds, Mulch, and Debris. Do a spring cleaning of the area, removing anything in the way until you are back to the bare soil. ...
  2. Prune. ...
  3. Prepare the Soil. ...
  4. Set Up New Planters and Garden Beds. ...
  5. Divide Perennials. ...
  6. Early Planting.
  7. Apply Mulch.

How to restore a weedy garden? ›

If your weeds are extreme, put down a layer of moist newspaper and cover that with at least two inches of mulch. This will destroy the weeds, prevent them from growing, and eventually leave you with a plantable garden.

How do you break up a garden? ›

One of the most natural ways to break up a garden space is by using hedges and shrubs. Plant different shrubs, such as evergreens, between each of your sections. This will help to create privacy and a physical divider between sections.

How to level a garden? ›

Using a garden fork, dig over the soil you've revealed and remove any stones. Add the levelling mixture to the exposed soil using a shovel, then compact it using your feet. Water the area to remove air pockets and add more mixture as needed. Smooth the levelling mixture out using the back of your soil rake.

How do I amend my garden? ›

Amending Poor Soil With Lime, Ash, Manure and Sulfur. Adding lime, poultry manure, or wood ash to your soil can make it more alkaline and raise the pH to a healthier level. Elemental sulfur can help make soil more acidic. Once you've tested your soil, you may have some work in front of you to get it ready for planting.

How do I sort out my garden? ›

Tidy Garden Organisation Ideas and Tips
  1. Try to stay on top of things throughout the year. ...
  2. Sort out your plant pots and tools. ...
  3. Keep on top of greenery. ...
  4. Don't neglect the shed or garage. ...
  5. Get a box for toys and kids' accessories. ...
  6. Clear out broken or unwanted items.

How to redesign an existing garden? ›

Make a plan. Draw out your gardens, write lists, make diagrams, or dig up all plants that need to be moved and stage them where you think they would flourish. Only dig plants up if you are able to re-plant all plants within an hour or so, and make sure all plants stay moist between digging up and transplanting.

Can you refurbish a garden? ›

A garden renovation should be more fun than hassle. Planning will always help, even if you have not started on a time frame or budget, the research stage at the beginning of the DIY garden renovation will help the operation run much smoother.

How to start over on your yard? ›

How do you redo an existing lawn?
  1. Test the soil to discover the best grass to use.
  2. Start removing and thinning weeds.
  3. Correct any soil issues.
  4. Mow the lawn.
  5. Remove thatch.
  6. Fertilize the lawn.
  7. Seed the bare patches.
Jun 26, 2023

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