A neglected garden bed can quickly become an eyesore, but with the right approach, you can breathe new life into your outdoor space. In the video above, This Old House landscape expert Lee Gilliam guides a homeowner through revitalizing her garden bed, installing irrigation and addressing common issues like poor soil quality.
After a quick assessment, Gilliam knew the soil needed to be amended, and the two would have to address the heat. By mixing compost and fertilizer into the soil and adding drip irrigation, the pair fixed this ho-hum backyard in short order. You may be able to do the same.
Assessing Your Garden Bed
Before starting your renovation, evaluate the current state of your garden bed. This assessment will help you identify specific issues and determine the best course of action. Here are the main areas to pay attention to.
Soil Quality
The foundation of a healthy garden lies in its soil. Poor soil quality can lead to stunted plant growth and increased susceptibility to pests and diseases. Here are some signs of poor soil quality:
- Compacted soil that’s difficult to dig
- Presence of moss or algae
- Lack of earthworms or other beneficial organisms
- Poor water retention or drainage
If you’re unsure about your soil’s condition, consider having it tested at a local garden center. Many states offer soil testing services through college laboratories or departments of agriculture. A soil analysis will provide valuable information about pH levels and nutrient content. You can then research the ideal conditions for whatever plants you hope to grow and adjust your soil with fertilizers.
Existing Plants and Weeds
Take stock of any existing plants in your garden bed. Determine which ones are worth keeping and which should be removed. Also, identify any weeds that have taken root. Removing weeds is crucial for the success of your garden revival, as they compete with desirable plants for nutrients, water, and sunlight.
Pro Tip: On a recent Ask This Old House project, landscape contractor Roger Cook urged homeowners to pull weeds by hand rather than reaching for a shovel: “I want you to take and pull all these weeds out, and get ’em out by hand. I don’t want you using a shovel because you can injure this root system that’s there.” This is especially important when weeding around established trees and shrubs whose shallow roots are easy to damage.
Evaluating Sunlight and Water Conditions
Observe how much sunlight your garden bed receives throughout the day. Different plants have varying light requirements, so understanding your garden’s sun exposure will help you choose appropriate plants.
Additionally, assess the area’s drainage and water retention. Poor drainage can lead to waterlogged soil, while excessive drainage might result in drought-like conditions for your plants.
Pro Tip: If you’re unsure whether a tree or shrub in your bed survived the winter, gently scrape away a little outer bark with your thumbnail to reveal a layer of either green (live tissue) or brown (dead wood). As This Old House Magazine advises, acting early on these assessments—ideally before weed seeds catch on that there’s bare ground to spare—is the difference between enjoying seasonal planting rituals and falling behind until the whole thing feels like drudgery.
Preparing the Garden Bed
Once you’ve assessed your garden bed, it’s time to prepare it for new plantings. Start by clearing the garden bed of debris, such as fallen leaves, branches, or old mulch. Next, you’ll till the soil.
Tilling helps loosen compacted earth and improve aeration. Gilliam demonstrates using a rototiller to prepare the soil for amendments. When tilling:
- Set the tiller to the appropriate depth (usually 6-8 inches)
- Work in straight lines, overlapping slightly with each pass
- Make a second pass perpendicular to the first for thorough mixing
If you don’t have access to a rototiller, use a garden fork or spade to manually turn the soil. Stores like Lowes and Home Depot often rent tillers by the hour.
Before tilling, consider whether you need to strip existing grass or sod from the bed. According to This Old House Magazine, a sod cutter is one of the most efficient ways to clear a planting area. “A sod cutter is thorough and efficient, and homeowners can easily rent the machine,” says Roger Cook. “Around the trees, we worked by hand using a spade, being careful to not damage the tree roots.” Sod strips most easily when the soil is moist, so water the area a few days before tackling the task if conditions are dry.
Adding Soil Amendments
Gilliam recommends adding a 2-inch layer of compost to enrich the soil. Compost provides essential nutrients and improves soil structure. Additionally, incorporate organic fertilizer to give your plants a nutrient boost.
When adding amendments:
- Spread a 2-inch layer of compost over the tilled soil
- Sprinkle organic fertilizer according to package instructions
- Use the rototiller or garden fork to mix the amendments into the soil thoroughly
Planting New Flora
Follow these steps when planting mature flora:
- Dig a hole slightly larger than the plant’s root ball
- Gently loosen the roots if they’re tightly bound
- Place the plant in the hole, ensuring it’s level with the surrounding soil
- Backfill with soil, firming gently to eliminate air pockets
- Water thoroughly after planting
Gilliam demonstrates proper planting techniques in the video, emphasizing the importance of breaking up root-bound plants and planting at the correct depth. You won’t need to dig as deep when planting seeds, but it will still be important to water daily.
Installing an Irrigation System
A reliable watering system is crucial for maintaining a healthy garden, especially in areas prone to heat or drought. In the video, Gilliam introduces a drip irrigation system to ensure consistent watering for the homeowner’s new plants.
Drip irrigation offers several advantages over traditional watering methods:
- Automated operation for consistent care, even when you’re away
- Customizable watering for different plant needs
- Reduced risk of fungal diseases by keeping foliage dry
- Water conservation by delivering moisture directly to plant roots
Setting Up the System
While the video shows a professional installation, here are the basic steps for setting up a drip irrigation system:
- Connect the main line to a water source
- Lay out the tubing around your plants
- Install emitters at each plant, adjusting the flow rate as needed
- Secure the tubing with landscape staples
- Connect the system to a timer for automated watering
Remember to consult local regulations and consider professional installation for complex systems or large gardens.
Pro Tip: When securing tubing, space plastic ground stakes about 18 to 24 inches apart. In areas where the tubing wants to lift, place two stakes very close together on opposite sides of the tubing to hold it down. Then cover the area with at least 4 inches of bark mulch—this prevents water from evaporating too quickly, hides the tubing, and deters weeds from sprouting.
Mulching
The final step in reviving your garden bed is laying down mulch. To mulch your garden effectively:
- Apply a 2-inch layer of mulch around your plants
- Keep mulch a few inches away from plant stems to prevent rot
- Extend mulch to the drip line of trees and shrubs
- Refresh mulch annually or as needed to maintain its benefits
Pro Tip: According to This Old House Magazine, different organic mulches serve different purposes. Straw stays put, doesn’t mat, and insulates the soil well. Fallen leaves boost soil fertility—grinding them up first makes them less likely to mat and helps them break down faster. Grass clippings are high in nitrogen and break down quickly, but should be applied at just 1 inch thick. For the best results, choose a mulch that will improve your soil over time as it decomposes.
Maintaining Your Revived Garden
After reviving your garden bed, proper maintenance will ensure long-term health.
Establish a consistent watering schedule based on your plants’ needs and local climate. Gilliam advises watering daily for about ten days after planting, then adjusting based on rainfall and plant requirements. An irrigation system can be programmed to maintain this schedule automatically.
Pruning and Deadheading
Regular pruning and deadheading help maintain plant shape and encourage continued blooming. Different plants have varying pruning needs, so research the specific requirements for each species in your garden.
Seasonal Care
Adapt your garden care routine to the changing seasons:
- Fall: Plant spring-blooming bulbs, clean up fallen leaves, and prepare for winter
- Spring: Clean up winter debris, prune as needed, and fertilize
- Summer: Monitor for pests, water consistently, and deadhead flowering plants
- Winter: Protect sensitive plants, plan for the next growing season
Resources
Use a rake to remove loose gravel and decorative stones from the top layer. A rototiller will prep and loosen the soil for receiving nutrients and new plants. Once the soil is tilled, add a layer of organic compost and rake it out evenly. Add an organic fertilizer and mix it into the soil with another pass of the rototiller. After new plants have been added, finish by adding a roughly two inches of leaf mulch.
Plants include Boxwood, Annabelle hydrangea, Lacecap hydrangea, Sedums, Catnip, and Black-eyed Susan.
Drip irrigation system professionally installed by Marks Contracting in Waltham, MA.
