Flower Bed Tutorial

I like to sit out on my deck and enjoy a nice cool adult beverage. So I decided to do some landscaping around the deck to spice it up a bit.

I had three goals in mind for the design:

Provide privacy from the neighbors
Provide an enclosed feel to the deck to make it feel more cozy
Create some traffic control

I accomplished all three goals with a nice design. This design also make significant improvements to the front yard so that the facade is more attractive. I haven't built the front parts yet and still have one major bed in the backyard to complete.

Here's how I built it:

STEP 1: Got a professional designer to draw up plans [ E-mail Dean Lackey, the designer ]

STEP 2: Drew out the bed on the ground

Before installation with bed drawn on grount

STEP 3: Installed foundation of chopped block and drainage system

6 in chopped block foundation in concrete

Drainage system in foundation blocks to allow for good drainage

STEP 4: Installed drip sprinkler system (modular heads)

sprinkler system was laid on ground later to be covered with soil

STEP 5: Moved sterile organic-rich dirt and watered it to help it settle

Moved 12 tonnes of soil (10 yards) into beds

STEP 7: Laid first stone layer and then raked out dirt to the edge

Stones were called 'Autumn Blend' purchased from a local stone retailer

STEP 8: Installed weed cloth

Weed cloth will let the water flow through but not let seed get passed into the soil

STEP 9: Laid additonal stone layers and positioned plants

Plants are Texas native and purchased from a local nursery

STEP 10: Installed plants

Cut precise holes in weed cloth and installed plants

STEP 11: Moved mulch (Texas hardwood which has organic material) and raked it out

STEP 12: Installed lights

Compare Before and After