Ah, the great outdoors — where grass grows, weeds plot revenge, and homeowners stare at their bland yards wondering, “How hard could it be to make this pretty?”
If you’re a DIY homeowner in the Southeast U.S. looking to upgrade your landscaping without accidentally flooding your crawlspace, planting over the gas line, or creating a mosquito habitat the size of a kiddie pool, you’ve come to the right place.
Let’s break down how to plan the layout of landscape beds — step by step — with a splash of humor, a dash of wisdom, and absolutely no judgment for that patch of lawn you’ve been "getting around to" for three years.
Step 1: Walk Your Kingdom
Before you do anything drastic (like dig), walk your yard. Morning coffee in hand. Barefoot, if you're feeling brave and the fire ants are feeling merciful.
Look at the spaces you want to transform and ask yourself:
- Where does the sun hit throughout the day?
- Are there any soggy areas that never seem to dry out?
- Do I trip over the same exposed tree root every time I mow?
Pro Tip: Watch how water flows after a heavy rain. That “adorable low spot” near the patio might be less charming when it's a surprise koi pond after every thunderstorm.
Take notes, take photos, and above all — take your time.
Step 2: Call Before You Dig (Seriously)
We know you’re eager to get that shovel moving. But one dramatic thunk into an underground gas line and you’ll be on a first-name basis with the fire department.
Call 811. It’s free, it’s fast, and it saves you from explaining to your spouse why the cable has been out for three days.
Also, take stock of what’s already underground:
- Irrigation systems
- Sprinkler heads
- Sewer or septic lines
- Invisible fences (especially if you have pets)
It’s much easier to plan around these now than to re-dig everything later with tears in your eyes and mud in your boots.
Step 3: Consider the Future (Because It’s Coming)
It’s tempting to plan your beds like they’ll live in eternal spring, untouched by time or budget creep. But future-you may decide to:
- Add a deck
- Build a shed
- Install a pool
- Sell the house
Think about how your beds might interact with those future projects. Leave space for change. Avoid blocking access to HVAC units, meters, or hose bibs. Your landscape beds are not barricades; they’re beauty with a side of practicality.
Step 4: Dream Like a Designer, Plan Like an Engineer
Here comes the fun part: imagining what you want the space to feel like.
Ask yourself:
- Do I want a lush, layered look?
- Do I want structure and symmetry?
- Do I want to block the neighbor’s trampoline from my line of sight forever?
Sketch It Out. You don’t need a degree in landscape architecture to draw some simple shapes. Think:
- Curves = softer, more natural feel
- Straight lines = formal and modern
- Big shapes = visual impact from the curb
- Layered heights = depth and dimension
Use garden hoses or a roll of carpenter string from your local hardware store to map your future bed edges in the yard before you commit to cutting anything. They’re flexible, reusable, and way more forgiving than spray paint.
Step 5: Pick Plants with Purpose
Now we get into the flora. The Southeast has a delightful combo of heat, humidity, and occasional ice — which means choosing the right plants is critical. Think:
- Sunlight requirements: Full sun? Partial shade? Full-on vampire shade?
- Water needs: Drought-tolerant or thirsty drama queens?
- Mature size: That cute little shrub will not stay “fun-sized” forever.
- Native vs. Exotic: Native plants tend to thrive with less fuss.
Go for a Mix of:
- Evergreens for year-round structure
- Flowering plants for seasonal color
- Grasses or groundcovers to soften edges
- Pollinator-friendly choices to bring in the bees and butterflies
Don’t forget spacing. Plants need elbow room too. (Plants don’t know the meaning of “mind your own business”.)
Step 6: Drainage (the forgotten step)
Nothing ruins a beautiful bed like soggy soil and root rot. Often, gutter downspouts are the cause of some pesky flooding issues. Before planting a single thing, test your drainage.
Here’s a quick way to do it:
- Dig a hole about a foot deep.
- Fill it with water.
- Watch how long it takes to drain.
If it takes more than a few hours, you’ve got drainage issues. Consider:
- Raising the bed with soil or stone
- Installing a French drain
- Choosing moisture-loving plants (like iris, sedge, or swamp hibiscus)
Bottom line: Water should move through the soil — not turn your flower bed into a rice paddy.
Step 7: Edge It Like You Mean It
A well-defined edge makes a landscape bed look polished — even if you haven't planted a thing yet.
You can edge with:
- Natural spade cuts (cheap and classic)
- Metal or plastic edging (easy to install, but not very durable)
- Stone or brick (lower purchase price, but more labor-intensive and requires yearly maintenance)
- Concrete curbing (this is where Border Magic comes in… but more on that later 👀)
Good edging keeps mulch in, weeds out, and your lawn mower on the straight and narrow.
Step 8: Mulch It Like a Pro
Mulch isn’t just for looks. It:
- Retains moisture
- Regulates soil temperature
- Suppresses weeds
- Adds a finishing touch that says “Yeah, I know what I’m doing”
Use 2–3 inches of mulch, but don’t pile it up against plant stems or tree trunks unless you’re trying to create a fungal theme park.
Pro tip: In the Southeast, shredded hardwood or pine bark works great and decomposes slowly. Pine straw is also popular, especially if you want a more natural woodland vibe.
Step 9: Irrigation = Sanity
Unless you enjoy dragging hoses around in August heat like it’s a CrossFit challenge, install a watering solution.
Options include:
- Soaker hoses
- Drip irrigation
- Smart sprinkler systems
It’s worth doing while the beds are still bare. Once everything is planted and mulched, installing irrigation becomes an Olympic-level game of Tetris with mud.
Step 10: Add the Finishing Touches
The devil’s in the details — and so is the delight.
Think about:
- Lighting: Solar path lights, uplighting for trees, or string lights for ambiance.
- Garden art: Sculptures, birdbaths, quirky gnomes with stories to tell.
- Seating areas: A stone bench or Adirondack chair can turn a bed into a destination.
- Pavers or stepping stones: Great for accessibility and keeping shoes mud-free.
At this point, you’re not just landscaping — you’re curating.
A Word on Maintenance (aka: Future You Will Thank You)
As thrilling as the planning and planting phase is, maintenance is where the real magic happens — or doesn’t.
Design with maintenance in mind:
- Choose plants that don’t need constant pruning.
- Install weed barrier fabric only if you're not planting directly through it (otherwise, it's a pain).
- Leave space between beds and fences to walk behind.
- Don’t overplant. Trust the process. And the plant tags.
Final Thoughts (and Your Secret Weapon)
Landscaping doesn’t have to be overwhelming — or outrageously expensive. With a little planning, some honest evaluation of your yard’s quirks, and a few dirty fingernails, you can create something beautiful and functional that lasts for years.
But hey, if you want to skip the stress of edging and elevate your whole landscape design, here’s a tip from one professional to another DIYer:
👉 Call the pros at Border Magic for a free landscape consultation. Our decorative concrete edging is durable, gorgeous, and custom-built to match your style and layout. (Translation: No more mulch spillovers or wobbly plastic strips.)
We’ll help you bring your dream beds to life — no trench foot, no gas line disasters, and no second-guessing required.