Building a Flower Bed around a Tree

Building a flower bed around a tree can add a beautiful and neat appearance to your landscaping. This process is relatively simple and is well worth the effort.

Step 1: Prepare Soil around Tree

Clear the area around the tree to the desired size of your flower bed. If the ground around your tree is currently covered with grass, remove this grass and save it for use in another part of your landscaping, or place in a compost pile. If you do not have anything growing around the tree, you may simply begin by breaking up the soil in the area you plan to create the flower bed. If the soil is exceptionally hard, you may want to use a tiller, but otherwise a shovel and rake will work fine. However, be careful not to damage the root structure of the tree.

Step 2: Prepare a Barrier for the Flower Bed

Purchase a garden barrier, such as a metal tree ring, and place it around the circumference of the flower bed. This will be used to denote the perimeter of the flower bed and help to keep it neat after the flowers and plants have fully grown. If your soil is prone to weeds, you may want to lay down a weed barrier on top of your freshly tilled soil to prevent weeds and other unwanted plants from growing in your flower bed.

Step 3: Add Topsoil

Lay down a layer of topsoil approximately three to four inches thick. Once this layer of topsoil is down you will want to add a layer of protection such as wood chips, or other alternatives found at your local nursery, such as rubber mulch.

Step 4: Plant Flowers and Plants

When at your local nursery, consult with an expert on the best flowers and plants for your location. Depending on the amount of sunlight the area will receive, the type of drainage the soil has, and the make up of the soil, certain flowers and plants will thrive better than others. Your local nursery expert is the best source for this information, as they know your climate the best. Keep in mind the size of you flower bed when purchasing plants and have any idea of how full you would like your flower bed and buy accordingly. Once you have purchased your flowers and plants you may plant according to each plant’s specific needs.

Step 5: Add Boarder to Flower Bed

You may choose to add a border around your flower bed. There are many different options available. You can lay stones, tiles, or rocks. Look at your local hardware store or nursery for available options.

Step 6: Water, Water, Water

Now that you have your flowers and plants in, make sure that you give them plenty of water. They will need more water at the start to help them overcome the shock of being transplanted. However, keep in mind that you need to allow the water to drain in between watering.