How to Make New Garden Beds - Flowers, Shrubs, Perennials, Trees

[@weathersings]

Getting ready to convert a chunk of my front yard from turf into a flower bed, this video was so helpful! Thank you!

[@adoster2008]

What a difference using your approach to amend the soil in my garden has made to this year! All my perennials are waking up and they look amazing!

[@JimPutnam]

Awesome. Nature knows best. We need to put a blanket on and get out of the way.

[@TheEnthusiasticGardener]

Fabulous, I did exactly the same this time last year, I was so fed up with how bad my small lawn was looking (and I really tried everything to improve it) so I cut all round in a circle and I’m so pleased I did as now I have far more planting space instead. Love your new borders 😍

[@JimPutnam]

New planting space is the best! Thanks for watching!

[@itsmewende]

I swear I'm not stalking you =^) Hope Richard gets you to the store, look forward to seeing what you find.

[@TheEnthusiasticGardener]

@@itsmewende 🤣🤣🤣 I’ve booked tomorrow afternoon off work and I’m off plant shopping 😎🥰😊👍😝

[@TheEnthusiasticGardener]

@@JimPutnam definitely, love your channel Jim, watch every episode 😊

[@itsmewende]

@@TheEnthusiasticGardener W.O.N.D.E.R.F.U.L =^)

[@kerryjean2223]

A true gardener after my own heart. My land is so tiny I no longer have any turf anywhere x 💮🌸🌺🇦🇺

[@kerryjean2223]

Those poor microorganisms... I didn't see any roots

[@JimPutnam]

Bermuda and Zoysia grass can't be killed by cutting off the top

[@kerryjean2223]

@@JimPutnam well I as soon as you see any pop back up that you immediately pull it out by hand. That's what I did after removing the dreadful creeping Sir Walter Buffalo by hand. Only took about an extra year to get it all out. I put concrete right around the borders but it still finds its way in from the the neighbours through the tiny fence overlaps and the tiny gaps between the fence and the concrete. Hideous stuff should not be legal as far as I am concerned. For that very reason I would not buy a second hand property or ever use creeping turf. So I had two homes built over the years. Now I just rent. Love your channels x 💜🇦🇺

[@annebuchanan3200]

Nice try Jim, blaming the grass. We’ve all been there. It’s all about wanting more garden space. 😉

[@JimPutnam]

True that!!

[@emilyr.6542]

Hahahah removing turf for more garden beds. A true gardeners game.

[@jamb1579]

Haha true!

[@Alejandro_C62]

😂

[@ryancmclaughlin]

Dude, you're amazing. You explain how to do things naturally and organically (ahem...the right way...) but also make space for other methods if people need them. I love that. No judgement - just different approaches for different needs and always with a mind towards being as sustainable as possible. Solid work. Keep it coming, homie.

[@itsmewende]

I did this last autumn. I extended a bed, 12' long, with a curve 2' out to 8 at the sidewalk. After planting it with around 230 bulbs...which I'm enjoying now...I turned the grass over and back over the bulbs then covered it with 3- 4" of composted tree bark. Look forward to seeing your border fill in.

[@JimPutnam]

Nice, lots of work. Good luck with everything this spring!

[@itsmewende]

@@JimPutnam Thanks, and yes it was more than a notion. At 63 it took me 2 days, the second I had to keep tell myself to just get it DONE, I think the thought of a day 3 is what got it done.

[@hobbitlady7568]

Dude you know I’m a fan so don’t take it the wrong way but you crack me up spraying that line for some reason! So smooth! Haha

[@josephinebrevig8748]

Gardening is so satisfying. The joy of starting my journey through Covid lockdowm gets me so emotional. You've taught me so much on my journey. You were one of my first KZbinrs i subscribed to. Thank you so much Jim. Just love your videos.

[@wavelene7]

Just the video I was looking for on how to start/extend a garden bed. Thanks so much for sharing your wealth of information!

[@chelseajones4141]

Now that you are reducing the grass, do you ever think of adding a water feature? I'm surprised I haven't seen one considering how much you love the birds and pollinators. Fantastic guide btw, Jim! I really appreciate your non synthetic approach using simple compost and time to improve the soil instead of so many quick fixes that ultimately disappoint and compromise the health and presence of all sorts of beneficial organisms.

[@Tofog22000]

Less lawn and more planting beds, sounds like a win win!

[@JimPutnam]

For sure!

[@AndreaRoss-f7e]

I’ve done this before a few times. So much fun. I will be doing this in 2022 and in 2023 as well since I am renovating my backyard now.

[@juliannetaylor9989]

I planned on doing this in my front yard this is year! So glad to see this addressed by you. Thanks for sharing another great lesson, Jim!

[@elizabethsmolens2752]

I did this just today. I am preparing a flower bed. Out here in Oregon we had normal rain fall for March (the first time in several years) so our grass is green and thick. My flower bed expansion included removing wedges of turf which were 4 to 5 inches deep in places! I can't wait to see the perennial planting. Thank you for your video.

[@Stumpchunkman226]

This is good info for me - first time ever trying to landscape a house. One thing I've learned for sure is that no matter what the project, there are usually more wrong ways to do it than right ways. Thanks for getting me started.

[@LitlPoot]

thanks ever so much for sharing your tips and tricks in creating a new bed - and removing all that sod !!! I have several similar projects on my "to do" list and your knowledge and inspiration are encouraging !!! looking forward to seeing how the new bed turns out !!!

[@JimPutnam]

Good luck with everything!

[@heatherw.2751]

I just reshaped one of my beds last weekend and I lifted all the sod by hand like you. Hard work but so satisfying!

[@verawallace9055]

💪lady

[@natemullen5868]

Nice video Jim, got me inspired to expand my annual bed now!

[@GinaCriv]

Hey Jim 👋 It is so satisfying to dig up and make a new bed...all the planting possibilities. It looks so good.

[@canuckviolet3322]

Yes! It all starts with the soil!! Keep preaching it Jim! One of these days could you do refresh of how to be smart shopper at a garden center and discuss how to pick the right plants for your soil? Speaking as one who has been burnt.. bought many things that do not flourish in acidic soil but look oh so pretty in the grower's pot!

[@paulhughes5446]

Another great one Jim! Cannot wait to see what you will be planting in the space.

[@JLee-pc2vc]

My trench edging (7a red clay) sometimes has some standing water in it for a little while after a heavy rain. Is that normal or have I done something wrong with my digging? In this week's Q&A video can you give us a ground level closeup of where the compost meets your vertical edge? I want to make sure my edging looks like it's supposed to and isn't too deep. Great step by step video!

[@rsal6043]

This is why i watch and subscribe..natural solutions and some hard work to make a better looking garden..love it.

[@glendapeters8899]

Thanks to your advise and seeing your oak leaves in your beds I scrunched up a majority of my leaves in the beds with gloved hands and covered them with compost and fine bark mulch. It sure beat raking and burning all those leaves and put them to good use! Always find your videos interesting and love seeing your flowers and shrubs.

[@JimPutnam]

Awesome. Good luck with everything this spring!

[@loriledner6528]

Your gardens are getting more and more beautiful all the time !!! That job looks exhausting and way too hard for me- but definitely fun to watch🌷

[@ProPlugger]

Your extended garden bed looks terrific! Can't wait to see your new plantings!

[@JimPutnam]

Thanks for watching!

[@litaholloway2721]

Very nice edging…I’m gonna have to copy that,..pretty soon My yard will be gorgeous just like yours, Jim. 😉👍

[@sonyakim4403]

I’ve done this before a few times. So much fun. 😅😭 I will be doing this in 2022 and in 2023 as well since I am renovating my backyard now. 🥳💀

[@GardenDoodles]

We find ourselves expanding our garden beds just a little bit every year, too! Don’t think it will stop anytime soon.

[@JimPutnam]

New space is the best!

[@katiekane5247]

Dang it Jim, you gave away the secrets! The results from the Soil cube exceeded my expectations, wish I could afford 2 more!

[@csellers5818]

Can’t wait to see what you plant. I’m sure it will be gorgeous!

[@mlyacko2]

I lay out the bed edge with 12’ pex, linking them together with cheap barb unions. Then I tack them down with landscape weed barrier stakes. Perfect arcs. Then cut the edge in with a small flathead shovel (don’t have a fancy edger).

[@hobbitlady7568]

You know you put that a little wide so much hard work!!!

[@GardenHands]

Great video and beautiful garden bed! I have been extending my established beds and building new beds each year. My preference is to smother with cardboard and compost if I have the time and the grass isn't horribly invasive. A couple beds I've needed to do what you did, a light tilling to get rid of the grass roots. Great overview!

[@MelodyHopkins]

Haha! I was wondering what Jim was gonna do when he ran out of planting space. 😂😂😂

[@JimPutnam]

I was too!

[@MelodyHopkins]

@@JimPutnam Better prioritize that patio space while there's still some left!

[@TheBrunnette1]

Exactly the video I needed. Thank you for this step by step and the notes about compost! It's so empowering to know how to DIY!

[@godisincontrol32]

Great Idea 🎉

[@terriebutler6737]

So jealous that we do not have ‘Soil Cube’ here in southeastern Virginia. And they deliver, how NICE! Happy gardening Jim 🌳🌳🌳🐕

[@dearestgarden]

Looks so good!! Can't wait to see you start planting 🥰

[@kimbar11]

Looks beautiful! Digging out grass for more plants is exciting! I did a lot of that last year.

[@debbiesineath1952]

Your yard is beautiful!

[@paulalang1023]

I’m excited to see what you plant!!! Looks great!

[@TheEnchantedWoodnymph1111]

Thank you Jim for another great Video!

[@JimPutnam]

Thanks for watching!

[@twilde3754]

Thanks for this demonstration -- helps me in my garden tremendously!!

[@stephaniejohnson2937]

Love seeing the progression of your garden space :)

[@HookedandRooted]

Jim that border looks so pretty with those pansies! So fun to cut out sid and have more planting space. Although my husband would argue otherwise 🤪

[@ronaldcurtner6402]

Your on a role . Happy spring

[@ya-ya1766]

Watching you in shorts, wondering what today is like in Raleigh. Saturday in Georgia is 43 degrees at 10:30 am today. This weather is crazy.

[@kathrynmettelka7216]

No more grass. I have beds and areas of pine bark nuggets for paths. and a woodland look in the back garden. If I've been paying attention, the answer is usually compost. I love the stuff. It makes all the difference.

[@kimpollard6021]

You make edging look easy. It always beats me when I try to do it.

[@TuoInside]

Thanks, Jim!

[@bead9609]

Your japanese maple looking great!!!

[@GloriaLynch-c4k]

Can you do a in depth video about getting nutrients to your soil like the compost you talked about in this video. Thanks on the great info

[@TheBarefootedGardener]

Looks awesome Jim! For that remaining turf, how about a water feature and a small patio?

[@JimPutnam]

Both are happening, but don't tell anybody🤫

[@kathrynmettelka7216]

@@JimPutnam We know nothing.

[@razasyeda6054]

its beautifully curated

[@RedBeardRetroTech]

Thanks for the video and the knowledge ❤🙏

[@katie405]

Can you do a in depth video about getting nutrients to your soil like the compost you talked about in this video. Thanks on the great info 👍

[@judymckerrow6720]

Thank you Jim. 🌷💚🙃

[@JimPutnam]

Thanks for watching!

[@mattycroxton]

Great video, Jim!

[@ArlynleahTacloy]

wow nice garden.i love garden too

[@saraw8503]

I have a LOT of seedlings from my winter sowing. Hubs asked me today….where are you going to plant them? Good question. Maybe a new bed hmmmm…

[@JimPutnam]

There ya go!

[@graylagran7443]

Same here, so I tilled a new patch.

[@dianegentry3255]

Looks great!! Great video!

[@gracem6795]

I have some 2000 sf area, where I had to delay laying sod for 2 years. The more I think about it, it was never destined for sod.

[@wendy6710]

Very useful information! Looks great

[@peggydove8756]

Great information! Thanks! I wish I could work that fast! 😄

[@57colliegirl]

I playced cardboard over grass in Fall. Weighted d ou wn with bricks. Covered with mulch. Now this Spring I hope planting perennials and shrubs will be a snap. I don't like digging turf...Am 65 so taking easy way out! Is this OK for soil? Looking forward to few weeds too. Your soil is beautiful!!

[@rosiesingleton6480]

👍🏻 Good job - a lot of work - I’m exhausted just watching you 😬

[@JimPutnam]

It is tough. I'm always in a hurry, but it would be better to take breaks doing this type of work.

[@graylagran7443]

I have Bermuda grass and it is the devil! I’m doing a flower patch in the front yard which I’ve tilled once, and will till again tomorrow. I didn’t try to remove the grass first as it’s tough work. Hopefully with multiple tillings weeks apart will kill the roots and all. 🤞🏼 ps, I have a similar sun joe tiller and love it! I love that I just plug it in and pull the trigger, and it starts every time 🤩

[@lainyjane4581]

my sun joe arrives next week. have bermuda evil grass. deep roots. worried. lots of plants standing by needing to be in ground. zone 7 TN. huge space. any advice welcome.

[@graylagran7443]

@@lainyjane4581 I planted yesterday. I went through the bed with a cultivator and found lots of root pieces with new growth. Bermuda has deep roots.

[@kanchanamendis7181]

Nice video Jim. I would like to try it.

[@anneandrews7053]

Awesome information!🏆🏆🏆🏆💚💚💚💚💚

[@joshuamcleod6547]

Love it. Thank you

[@gardeningonthewestforkwith8994]

Do you love that electric tiller ? I’m on small garden spot its a perfect size. Zoysia grass a pain for border’s. Never enough gardening space 😏. Love your info always to the point!

[@graylagran7443]

I got an electric sun joe and love it. So much easier to manage than a heavy gas powered one. It’s still a workout, but nice to just plug in, pull the trigger, and go!

[@maryannditullio2581]

You make it look so easy. I have a QUESTION.Last year I purchased compost. I did not use it all. I have been told that compost is no longer viable because everything has died. Is there a way to rejuvenate it??

[@angelabarker8611]

So educational

[@L4sleeko]

Looks nice. Yes, digging up grass is a pain in the tail, though I found doing it in late winter is ideal as it’s still asleep. Could you over seed with a different type of grass to thicken things up?

[@luigi298]

Also ideal when the ground is still wet after it rains.

[@joeysoprano8405]

great video. thanks!

[@156aliciasy]

Hello great video. I appreciate it because I did not know what to do on grass. I am a new home owner trying to make my garden. Look great. I do have a question after you put the compost. Do you then dig in the compost and your soil To put the plants in.? Or do you till it again after you've put compost?

[@drewshouse]

Jim, when you first began digging up your zoysia after marking the new bed. Any reason you didn’t just till from the get go? As opposed to using your trench shovel to dig up the surface?

[@leesa9615]

Beautiful

[@judymiddleswart9350]

Thanks!

[@williamtaylor2412]

love this

[@feduppatriot7647]

Cover it with cardboard , completely, that’s important to make sure it’s completely covered, with layers if you have to . Cover it with top soil /compost then plant whatever your heart desires . The cardboard breaks down and becomes apart of the eco system , weed block cloth is a waste of time and money. The most expensive and best weed cloth is great for making grow bags that will give you several seasons but cardboard is the way to go when you want to cover up and smoother the grass / weeds and build on top of that .

[@persephonespomegranate]

I keep trying to find an easier way to create and expand beds (I am not strong enough due to illness so I have to hire someone which gets expensive) but nothing seems to beat the pure, hard labour approach. I’ve seen people do the no dig method but who has time for that?! Some people, I guess, and good on you but I need it done and dusted this season. If viewers have any other tips for gardeners who don’t have the strength for digging up and lifting sod, I’d love to hear! Same with planting trees that need large holes dug. I looked into getting a drill with bits like Laura at Garden Answer uses but there’s so much force and kickback with those, I imagine you need just as much upper body strength to control it that you do to just dig a hole...

[@verawallace9055]

You could add thick newspaper or Cardboard on top, add soils and mulch on top deep enough for planting, I did this when the spot was hard as a rock and didn't have the Strength to dig

[@GardenKath]

Yes, you definitely need to be strong to handle an auger, especially the big ones. My answer is to hire someone. I’m lucky, and my lawn guy is a really great guy and has super reasonable rates. I also have a strong adult son, but he’s harder to book. 😂

[@janereel1903]

I sympathize about not having strength to do many garden chores. I did use the no-till/no dig method and used cardboard to smother oriental bittersweet and other invasives. I did what Charles Dowding's channel shows and covered the cardboard with compost. I waited 1 season to plant into these areas. Yes, I'm pulling out bittersweet here and there but the principle is that the roots get weaker. I had no option but to do this as the garden funds had to go elsewhere. This year it's been amazing how good things are doing. Feed the soil that feeds the plants.

[@theresaodwyer2026]

Looks great! What do you look for when buying bulk compost from a landscape supply company? Thanks for the great videos!

[@MMMM-mq3bt]

Great ideas . Tiller i have one but its very heavy is there a light one or easier way 🤔

[@jennifernash4638]

That little trenching shovel is worth its weight in gold, lol.

[@databang]

Your flowers and I thank you and your invisible moving tripod.

[@junisar9]

Good job

[@anitahadley2871]

Feed the soil! That’s one bit of info that I try to pass on and wish I had learned earlier.

[@Linda-gi8pr]

Do you have Hammerhead worms ? Just read an article on them, and it came to mind when you talked about compost.

[@JimPutnam]

No, I don't. They prefer moist areas. So while my mulched beds do regulate moisture, they don't stay wet enough for them. They have been in the country for 100 years and the press likes to talk about it occasionally. They eat each other and amphibians will eat them so that it is also keeping them in check.

[@hobbitlady7568]

Add leaves to clay, more nutrients and more porosity. I have a new garden customer and I can tell by the COLOR of what remains after they scraped that topsoil off building that house. The color tells me - tan, hard, mud light tan.

[@JimPutnam]

You can add leaves to the top, but I wouldn't incorporate whole leaves into clay. It can create anaerobic conditions.

[@hobbitlady7568]

@@JimPutnam cool thank you!

[@lanabisson2675]

Jim I have large flower beds. I am struggling with massive amounts of dead nettle and other weeds that seem to be happily growing on areas that I put 4 inches of shredded bark/compost late fall. I dont want to use preen because I have things like larkspur, poppies and bachelor buttons that I want to see come up. Do I need to put cardboard because of the weed pressure? I have LARGE sloping flower beds. any suggestions would be great. Its finally getting warm enough for me to work in the yard. Im in Western Ky by the river where it stays bitter cold and wet.

[@tillymuffins6705]

Why does it always look so easy when someone else does this? Just did the same yesterday in my garden, and it took the whole day and a lot of sweat! :-) Maybe my shovel is not as sharp? :-) What's the secret? Way to go, Jim

[@JimPutnam]

The trenching shovel is at least slightly easier!

[@tillymuffins6705]

@@JimPutnam thanks, I will seriously consider getting one :-)

[@Flower_hoarder]

🌿🌼🌿EXCITING ‼️🌿🌼🌿

[@lizlawrence2584]

Thanks for the pointers! I'm learning so much from your channel.

[@misscandicern]

Would tilling from the beginning have been an option? What I mean is, not taking up the grass top layer then tilling. Tilling the grass in there

[@doctortcbkk2027]

Same issue here, Jim. Any tips for carving into hard clay to create a new bed? Will the Sun Joe cut through it?

[@nicolegreenough961]

Do you consider it worse to use the tiller to break up the grass first? I have really thick centipede grass and it is more of a job to dig the grass up than hand till in clay! 🥴

[@JimPutnam]

Neither is fun, but that little tiller just struggles on thick turf. If it was heavier I would just till it.

[@graylagran7443]

@@JimPutnam that’s good to know. I weed whacked my bermuda as best I could, then tilled it.

[@CliffordAllison]

Great video ! who makes the cart that you used in the video ?