Planning a new lawn and garden beds

Lawns and beds fail for the same reason: poor soil and poor preparation. The seed, sod, plants and mulch are the cheap and quick part. Grading the ground, building the soil and watering at the right time decide whether it thrives. Most quantities are volumes or areas, so they are easy to work out once you know the area and the depth.

This planner starts with the ground, then covers the lawn, the beds and the care that keeps them going.

Step 1: Measure the area and grade the ground

Measure each lawn and bed as simple shapes and add them up. Grade the ground to fall gently away from the house, and fill low spots. Call 811 before digging deeper than a few inches. If you are bringing in or taking away soil, work out the volumes first.

Step 2: Build the soil

Topsoil goes on in a layer of 4 to 6 inches for a new lawn, and 6 to 12 inches in a new bed. Test the soil if you can, and work in compost before planting. Order topsoil by the cubic yard and convert to tons if the supplier sells it by weight.

Step 3: Seed or sod the lawn

Seed is cheaper and gives a wider choice of grasses; sod gives an instant lawn and is easier to keep alive in a hurry. Seed in the right season for your grass: early fall is best for cool-season grasses in most places. Sod goes down within a day of delivery.

Step 4: Plant and mulch the beds

Space plants by their mature size, not their size in the pot. Mulch 2 to 3 inches deep keeps weeds down and holds moisture, but keep it away from the stems and trunks. Raised beds need a mix of soil and compost, ordered by the cubic yard.

Step 5: Feed, water and protect

Water new seed lightly and often until it sprouts, then deeply and less often. Feed the lawn by the area, following the bag. If you treat weeds or pests, mix sprays at the label rate and never more.

Step 6: Edge, path and finish

Edging keeps lawn, mulch and gravel apart. Decorative rock goes over landscape fabric, and a path of pavers or gravel gives access to the beds in wet weather.

Before you start

• The season: seeding and sodding have their best weeks.
• Call 811 before digging.
• Water access and a plan for the first weeks of watering.
• A soil test if you can, to learn the pH and nutrients.
• Rules on watering and fertilizer in your area.

Mistakes that cost people money

• Laying seed or sod on compacted, unbroken ground.
• Too little topsoil, so the roots cannot grow.
• Mulch piled against tree trunks and stems.
• Watering for a few minutes every day, which keeps roots shallow.
• Spraying weed killer or pesticide stronger than the label rate.

Frequently asked questions