Landscape Raised Beds

Landscaping – Raised Beds
Raised beds look a lot better than flat beds.  They should be built out of quality topsoil and be topdressed with compost, mulch, bark, or wood chips.  Compost is the favorite topdressing for landscaping contractors.  In desert areas, colored gravel is a popular alternative. 

Where do raised flower beds go?  They are usually put around the edge of the home.  In addition, a kidney or jelly bean shaped island is often put in the front yard. 

Weed Fabric 
Weed fabric can get you out of several years of weeding.  Weed fabric quality varies greatly.  You should not be able to rip or tear it by hand.  Buy commercial weed fabric.  Costco sells weed fabric that is commercial grade and at a fantastic price in the spring. 

Weed fabric can be put down with large metal horse shoe shaped fabric pins.  The fabric should overlap by about six inches.  Make sure you use enough staples to keep it down securely. 

One common problem with weed fabric is that there is not enough topdressing to prevent the fabric from showing through.  Be generous with topdressings to avoid fabric showing up. 

Plants
Landscaping is really about showing off plants.  Putting them on a raised slope makes them stand out more.

Corner Lots
Properly done corner lots can be landscaped fantastically.  The corner area should be built up into a huge island.  Plant larger trees and shrubs and throw in some boulders.  It will look very awesome.  The island will be build up a lot more than six inches and may be a few feet high.

Edging
Grass tends to grow into raised flower beds.  You have several edging options, rubber or plastic edging, steel edging, and curbing. 

Don’t ever use the cheap rubber edging.  It’s  worthless stuff. 

Steel edging is the best for looks.  It is seamless and isn’t readily seen.  It goes deep into the dirt to prevent grass from growing into the flower beds. Professional landscapers prefer steel edging.

Curbing is another good option.  Slanted curbing is the most popular style used nowadays.  However, curbing is not universally popular.  Some people like it and some hate it.