When to Make Your Beds … Beautiful, That Is!

And the weather is…

Again, it looks like Kansas is experiencing every possible kind of weather simultaneously! But, don’t worry too much! Those summery days this week must surely mean that spring is, indeed, hopping around the corner with great enthusiasm.

This week alone will see temperatures from 78° to 40° – on the same day! But you know, this could be a blessing. Even if you can’t be outside with your flowers right now, you can undoubtedly plan what you want to do with bedding this year. So, let’s start with the basics, shall we?

Bedding areas

Let’s try to make a simple map of your landscape. Then, we will draw each tree, shrub, hedge, fence, and bedding area onto our plan. This will give us a rough idea of what we already have and might want to change or add. 

You have an incredible landscape when it’s not covered by winter. I know you have Divine Lawns to help you keep your lawns green and healthy. They probably do snow removal for you, too. Do you know they can help with flower bedding, woody plants like trees and shrubs, and seasonal cleanups? Once spring cleanup is done, you can start planting new flowers and replant the bulbs you put away for winter.

While you are cleaning up and preparing for a beautiful flower growing season, let’s think about mulch for a few minutes. We laid down a thick layer of mulch in the flower beds just before the first snow fell. It insulated our plants and soil from too much fluctuation of temperature. Installing new mulch in the spring, when we’re planting flowers and other ornamental plants, will help insulate our roots and soil from the hot temperatures and help with water retention where it’s needed.

Let’s look at your map. You have chosen some great spots for your bedding areas. Those are lovely shrubs and bushes, too. It looks like a great plan, but some of these beddings are missing from the landscape. Are those the ones you want to add?

Bedding planning and building

Let’s get your landscaping team involved as soon as possible. They can advise you about what plants and flowers will do best in your corner of Kansas and what you can expect to need to maintain the bedding.

They will most likely suggest mulch (everyone suggests mulch). Once the plan is done, they will know how much and what kind of mulch you’ll need to prevent weeds and increase the moisture retention in your bedding. You can even ask them about changing the color of your bedding to enhance your house. 

They might modify your plan slightly based on what they see outside. Once that’s done, they’ll note areas of shade and full sun and what times of day your bedding can expect to be where the sun is shining the hottest. That information will help you choose the kinds of plants that will thrive in so much sunlight and choose the plants that will do well in mostly shady areas.

They will also discuss shaping the existing bushes to compliment your garden. They might suggest different shapes. They will have pictures of former work so your choices can be more accessible.

Tree trimming in and around your garden will also be discussed. As usual, the heavy winter snow has damaged some branches, which must be removed.

Have you thought about adding rocks around the borders of your bedding? There are many kinds of ornamental rocks in various shapes, sizes, and colors. 

After the cleanup!

Wow, would you look at that! Your Divine Lawns landscapers did a fantastic job of spring cleanup! Have you checked the flower bulbs we stored away before the snow? They all survived the winter; that’s great.

I see that the bedding areas have new mulch—what a nice contrast to your house. Of course, the flowers will be delighted in their new bedding.

Have you thought about what kind of gardens you’re going to install in your bedding? For instance, a cutting garden would be planted with flowers that you like to bring inside. Those flowers provide a beautiful pop of color to any room and fill the air with scent. If you are short on vases, a trip to some of the local thrift shops might be a good idea. They usually have a good variety of shapes and colors.

A container garden of raised beds might give you the herb garden you’ve always wanted to enhance your cooking without having to bend over much to tend the plants. Yum!

Good job!

The red coleus looks excellent against the house, and it was an excellent call to plant it close to accent that contrast. You’ll have to keep an eye on it, though; it tends to take over any spot it’s planted. 

I see you have some edging around the mulch beds around the tree roots. Mounding it up like that will help the tree regulate temperatures from hot day to cool night. In addition, it will help the tree keep moisture near its roots, where it’s needed most. 

You’ve put mulch around the base of your woody plants, like shrubs and hedges. It will help them to regulate temperature, just like the tree.

You can still plant other things in the bedding around the trees. Make sure the plants will have tall stalks with the flowers at the top to get the flowers and leaves over the top of the mulch. Bearded iris would be beautiful against the background of the tree, and you can dig out the bulbs for winter storage when you’re increasing the mulch for winter.

Your bedding is looking fabulous, and you’ve left room for changes as the seasons go along. I can smell the beautiful flower scents along with the scent of cut grass. It’s so relaxing and beautiful. You and your landscape partners, Divine Lawns, have done a Divine job here.