Viewing post #1244455 by Legalily

Dawn - I've been following this thread and I see you are getting some wonderful advice to get you started - even gave me some ideas of my own on planning beds online Betsy I am one of those people that figures out one bed at a time if possible, decide whether I am going to clear it or do the lasagna method, either way I cut my edge in (I always use a half moon manual edger and then mulch to the edge) and then it starts to get tougher The first place I actually "landscaped" I had a professional do the design and I did the planting. Over the years I revamped until I got it almost the way I wanted it - then we moved Then I started all over again with a clean slate; however, this time I had my experience from the first house to start with and used my own imagination and favorites! I too am one of those that with border gardens I start with the trees and bushes as my backdrop and then put the perennials in front, adding benches for sitting as I walk around my yard (gotta have somewhere to rest as we get older ) and I love to create little nooks for sitting, maybe a birdbath or fountain, firepit, etc. Sometimes I create a "theme" garden. I learned early on from the landscaper to always plant in odd numbers and to use the same color or plants several places in the yard to tie it all together, and if you are planting larger areas to use more than one of the same plant so you get a drift of color and don't just lose all of the plants in a sea of different plants. I also make sure I check the bloom times so something is blooming from Spring (love those bulbs) clear through Fall and for winter interest I make sure I have evergreens and ornamental grasses. The birds love them too You are getting wonderful advice from everyone - can't wait to see pictures!!!