A great garden bed isn’t just “a pile of soil.” It’s a layered setup that controls weeds, supports roots, and matches the sun + mature plant size, so your garden looks good and stays easy to maintain.
Here’s the full step-by-step, from cutting the grass to finishing with mulch or stone.
Before you plant: 3 decisions that save you money
1) Sun exposure
Spend one day checking your space:
- Full sun: 6+ hours
- Part shade: 3–6 hours
- Shade: under 3 hours
Plants that need sun will struggle in shade (and vice versa), so match your plant choices to your light first.
2) Plant size (height + spread)
Read the tag and plan for mature size, not the baby size.
- Tall plants go toward the back (or the center in island beds)
- Spread matters: most “crowding” problems happen because plants were placed too close
3) Soil pH
If you’re adding new soil, it’s still smart to test your soil before planting, because pH affects how plants absorb nutrients.
- A quick test helps confirm your soil is in a healthy range
- It’s especially important if you’re planting acid-lovers (like blueberries/hydrangeas)
Materials you’ll need
Tools: shovel/spade, rake, wheelbarrow (helpful), garden hose, hand trowel
Weed barrier options: cardboard, landscape fabric (optional), staples/pins if using fabric
Soil: triple mix/topsoil + compost
Finish layer: mulch or bark nuggets or river stone
Optional edging: metal/plastic edging or stone (for a clean border)
Step 1: Mark your bed shape
Use a hose or spray paint to outline the bed.
- Curves are mower-friendly and look natural
- Keep beds reachable: 3–4 ft deep is ideal (so you’re not stepping into the bed)
Step 2: Cut and remove the grass (best results)
This is the cleanest way to start a bed.
- Use a spade to cut the sod into strips/squares
- Lift and remove it
- Compost it (grass-side down) or use it to patch lawn areas
Alternative: if you want to smother instead of remove, overlap cardboard over the grass and wet it down well. It’s slower, but it works.
Step 3: Weed prevention (cardboard vs landscape fabric)
Best for most planting beds: cardboard
- Blocks weeds
- Breaks down naturally
- Improves soil over time
Landscape fabric: best for stone beds and pathways
Fabric is great when the top layer is rock and you won’t be digging often. In planting beds, fabric can make future planting and soil improvement harder, and weeds can still grow on top of it in mulch.
Rule of thumb:
- Planting beds (flowers/shrubs): cardboard is usually best
- River stone beds: landscape fabric is usually best
Step 4: Build your soil layer (this is where success happens)
Don’t just dump one bag of soil on top, blend for root health.
For flower/shrub beds
- 2 parts soil (triple mix/topsoil blend)
- 1 part compost
For veggie beds
- 1 part soil
- 1 part compost (or heavier compost if your soil is poor)
Spread to a depth of 6–12 inches if possible, then rake smooth.
Step 5: Water and let it settle
Water the bed thoroughly so soil settles before planting.
Top up low spots if needed. This prevents sinking later.
Step 6: Plant with spacing in mind (height + spread)
Place plants while still in pots first so you can “preview” spacing.
- Leave room for mature spread
- Group plants with similar sun and water needs
- Plant at the same depth they were in the pot (most plants hate being buried)
Step 7: Finish the bed (mulch or stone)
This final layer is what keeps the bed looking clean and reduces maintenance.
Option A: Mulch (most common)
- Use 2–3 inches
- Keeps moisture in, blocks weeds, protects soil
- Keep it a few inches away from stems/trunks
Option B: Bark nuggets
- Longer-lasting look than fine mulch
- Great for shrubs and low-maintenance beds
- Same rule: keep away from stems/trunks
Option C: River stone
- Clean, modern look
- Best paired with landscape fabric
- Use edging to keep stone from spreading into lawn
Tip: Stone beds can run warmer and may dry faster, choose plants that can handle heat.
Quick checklist
✅ Check sun exposure
✅ Plan for mature height + spread
✅ Test soil pH before planting
✅ Remove sod (or smother with cardboard)
✅ Build soil + compost layer
✅ Water, plant, then finish with mulch/bark/stone
Don’t want to DIY it, or want a designer to help you navigate before you DIY?
Ask Ritchie’s Green Team, our design and installation department that’s just as trustworthy as our name.
Learn more and get started here: https://www.ritchiefeed.com/pages/ritchies-green-team
