Dartmouth Landscaping Localturf
Garden Bed Installation and Redefining | Dartmouth, NS
Garden beds are one of the most popular types of landscaping installations in homes today - and for good reason! A well-manicured garden bed can bring a sense of order to the natural world, provide a visual focal point or a pop of color in a green space, and can even make growing your favorite plants easier!
If you do not have garden beds at your home (or if your existing beds have fallen into disrepair), the experts at
Dartmouth Landscaping can help. We will guide you through the entire process from initial design to final installation, and can even help you fill your new garden beds with flowers, edible plants, and more.
Whether you want to revitalize your in-ground garden beds or have always wanted to try your hand at square foot gardening, contact us today. Our experts will help you turn your ideas into reality at a price you can afford!
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The Many Benefits of Garden Beds
Many homeowners opt for garden beds because they appreciate the look of neat rows and borders, but garden beds can be so much more than just an aesthetic addition to your landscape! In addition to adding visual interest, color, and structure to your outdoor space, garden beds can also improve your quality of life and help the environment. Keep reading to learn about just a few of the ways they do this!
Improved Soil Quality and Plant Health
When a garden bed is installed, it is filled with high-quality topsoil (and usually a little compost as well), providing a fertile environment for your plants to thrive. While you will have to maintain this soil by adding compost or fertilizer as the years pass, the enclosed nature of a garden bed makes soil treatments more effective and longer lasting.
Garden beds also provide a natural deterrent to many common pests and weeds. By creating a barrier between your plants and the rest of the world, garden beds give your plants space to grow with less competition and a lower risk of pest infestations or disease.
Easier Care & Maintenance
The organization and accessibility of most garden beds makes tasks like watering and fertilizing much easier for the casual gardener. Many garden beds are designed with built-in irrigation systems that can completely remove the need for regular watering! Options like raised beds can make pruning and harvesting edible plants easier as well - no kneeling or stooping down required!
Added Diversity and Sustainability
Garden beds provide the perfect space for showcasing the diversity of our local flora - and all within a smaller space than you would find these plants in nature! From habitats for beneficial insects and pollinators to fresh herbs and vegetables for you and your family, the environmental benefits of even a small garden bed can be many.
Water conservation is another great benefit of garden beds - with proper soil composition and well-planned plantings, garden beds allow your plants to use every drop of water you give them. Raised beds can even extend your growing season - they warm up quicker in the spring than the rest of the ground, allowing you to get a head start on planting.
When it comes time to fill your garden beds with greenery, check out
this blog post for information on Dartmouth's planting zone and the plants that thrive here!
A Garden Bed for Every Style
Now you know why you want a garden bed (or maybe several beds!), but what type of garden bed should you choose? Garden beds can be as unique as the people who tend them, and there is no one-size-fits-all choice when it comes to gardening. Our designers will discuss your needs, wants, and ideas to help guide you to the perfect option for you and your space, but here are a few general styles to inspire you!
In-Ground Garden Beds
Traditionally the most common type of garden bed, in-ground beds are those built into your existing soil. They are the easiest and most cost effective type of garden bed to install. If you are looking for large beds in a large outdoor space, in-ground beds are a great choice. They are also the best option if you are looking to grow larger plants as there is no limit to how deep roots can grow.
In-ground beds do generally require more soil amendment, however, as you are working mostly with your existing soil. They are also easier for small mammals and other pests to access, requiring you to put more effort into protecting edible plants especially. With a little extra effort, however, in-ground beds can be just as beautiful and productive as any other garden plot!
Raised Garden Beds
In contrast to in-ground beds, raised garden beds are elevated above ground-level and are often completely separated from the existing soil either by space or with landscaping cloth or similar barriers. This separation gives you greater control over the soil in your garden, but can limit the types of plants you can grow since roots can only go so deep.
Raised beds also require more up-front investment (though they often make up for it in the long run). Their borders can be built from a wide variety of materials, from natural wood and stones to shaped metal and plastic barriers. If your gardening space is limited, you have poor soil quality, or you want a garden that is a bit easier to care for, raised beds might be for you!
Keyhole Gardens
These uniquely shaped garden beds are circular with a path in the center that resembles a keyhole. This path can be used for everything from easy access to the inner portions of a small garden to a secluded seating area in a large keyhole garden. The central area is generally paved or bricked, and the outer borders of the garden are often built with matching or complementary materials. If you are looking for a small, secluded area to enjoy your plants (or your favorite book), a keyhole garden will be the perfect addition to your landscape!
Square Foot Gardens
A relatively new trend in edible gardening especially, square foot gardening involves dividing your garden space into a grid of one square foot sections. Each section is used to grow a different type of plant, keeping your garden organized and efficient. Perfect for both beginning and experienced gardeners, square foot gardening helps you make the most of even a small space in a well-designed and aesthetically pleasing garden bed!
Ready to Get Started?
Whatever your vision for your garden space, we can bring it to life with professionally designed and installed garden beds. Contact us today to chat with one of our experts and get a free, no-obligation quote!
