Garden Bed Installation in Aldie, VA: Doing It Once, Properly

New garden beds look simple, but most of what decides whether they thrive happens before a single plant goes in.

Shape and edge

Long, sweeping curves are easier to mow around and look better than tight wiggles. A deep, clean-cut edge keeps mulch in and grass out.

Fix the soil

Much of Aldie sits on heavy clay, and soil around newer homes is often compacted subsoil left by construction. Loosening it and working in compost matters more than any fertilizer.

Plant for the mature size

The most common mistake is planting too close to the house and too close together. A shrub that will be six feet wide needs to go three feet from the wall.

Plant at the right depth

Trees and shrubs planted too deep decline slowly over years. The root flare should sit at or just above the finished soil level.

Mulch, then water

Two to three inches of mulch, kept off trunks and stems. Then deep, regular watering through the first growing season.