DIY Bite: Making a Plant Bed // Planting Trees and Shrubs

Hi Busies!

Aaaahhhh. There’s nothing better than feeling clean and kicking up your feet after a long day of yard work.  I’m sitting down now to write this post after another of my DIY gardening adventures.  I call these adventures because I’m by no means an expert, especially at gardening.  But I try, and that’s what counts, right?!  This adventure was creating a bed and planting a Japanese Maple tree.  It’s one of the final steps to getting our front yard in better shape.  

Most of my gardening adventures start with walking the dogs or taking a run around my neighborhood for inspiration.  Sometimes I even snap a quick picture and send it to my mom, who belongs to that secret club where moms go to share their wisdom (that’s a thing, right?), and she tells me what to buy!  Since we moved to our new house, I haven’t had much time to get anything planted, but since I implemented my meal prep program, my weekends are less busy with grocery shopping and cooking, so I have more time for projects.  In fact, after I finish writing this, I’m going to heat up a pre-made meal (this sun-dried tomato chicken, kale, and quinoa bowl), turn on Netflix, and spend the night relaxing instead of cooking!  I just finished watching Ozarks, and am currently watching The Handmaid’s Tale – any recommendations for what to watch next?  

The before – lots of work to do!

If you know anything about summer in North Carolina, you’ll know that it’s not a good decision to start landscaping projects in the summer.  It’s insanely hot, and unless you can work on a day after a big rain, the soil is hard and dry and 10x harder to dig up.  Well, I have been known to make some questionable decisions, and sure enough I picked a day that was 95° and sunny to start. Womp womp.  Let’s just say A LOT of sweat went into this project.

This project had 2 phases.  The first phase was the green boxwood shrubs, and the 2nd phase was the rounding of the corner bed and planting the Japanese Maple.  Drew and I decided on a very young Japanese Maple.  We saved about $60 by not getting a more mature one, and we quickly grew attached to this particular lopsided little tree, which reminded us of the Charlie Brown Christmas Tree!  I don’t have too many pictures of the boxwood phase, but it follows all the same steps and uses the same tools as the pictures below.  Check the bottom of the page for a few boxwood progress pictures.  

First, the tools:

• a good shovel
• a wheelbarrow
• enough soil and mulch to fill in the bed
• a half moon edger (only if you’re planning to make straight beds – if you’re doing round, a shovel is fine)
• weed prevention paper and pins
• gardening gloves (optional – either way, treat yo self to a manicure afterwards!)
• whatever you want to plant!

Then, channel your inner Stanley Yelnats and start digging!  On the straight areas I used the half moon edger, but for the round part I used the shovel.  A few tips:  

• Be cautious not to strike any buried pipes or wires – you can always call your utility company for a free locate service if you’re worried!  I cleared away all the grass and weeds and then about 1-2 inches of dirt.  
• If symmetry is important to your layout, make sure to step back and view your progress from a distance occasionally to make sure you’re on track.  It’s easy to get lost in the details when you’re stuck up close.
• Bonus Fit Bite – target big muscle groups while you work!  Not only will you be less sore after, but you’ll be working the right muscles and avoid injury.  Stay focused on keeping your core engaged, and try to use your legs (squatting, lunging, etc.) to help push the shovel into the dirt.  Use your back (lats), biceps, and core, rather than shoulders and neck, to lift the piles of dirt into the wheelbarrow.

Wheelbarrow load 1 of 5 – so. much. dirt.

Then I dug the hole for the tree based on the instructions provided, and checked to make sure the root ball would fit correctly.

I had to put the tree in at an angle to make sure the trunk was as vertical as possible.  Hopefully this will help it grow straighter!

Once the hole was done, I covered the whole area in weed paper and stuck the U-shaped pins down to hold it in place.  Then I cut an X to fit the root ball in the hole.  

Now, the fun part!  Dropped the tree in, filled the hole with new soil, and covered the whole thing with 2 inches of mulch.

The finished product – our very own Charlie Brown tree!

Now time to grow grow grow, little guy!

Phew!  It sure is easier said than done.  A lot of dirt and a lot of sweat went into giving this little tree a new home, but it’s a great step towards adding some visual interest and a focal point to the front yard.  

Have y’all had any luck with gardening adventures?  Share any fun stories in the comments below, or share your before/after pictures on Instagram and tag @busygirl_bites or #busygirlbites so I can see your results!

Here are a few bonus pictures from phase 1 of this project, which was planting the boxwood shrubs.

Dug up some artifacts!  Thinking about a fun way to display these as another project – stay tuned!