Edged Serpentine Landscape Garden

For a professional look, measure and mark the layout of the raised bed. You can lay out the design using a garden hose, which works well for curves. As an alternative, you can use landscape stakes and string. Use a shovel to transfer the layout to the ground. Dig up and remove any turf from the bed area.

Using the layout marks on the ground as a reference, dig a trench 4 inches deep in the shape of the planting bed. Adjust the depth as needed to account for any slope in the ground. Remove the loose soil. Tamp the bottom of the trench to compact the soil. Check for level, adding and removing soil as necessary and tamping it firm.

Add a couple of inches of all-purpose gravel to the bottom of the trench to aid with drainage. Use a garden rake to spread it evenly. Tamp it down and repeat until you have a level base compacted to a depth of 4 inches. A firm, level base is key for building the walls of your raised bed.

Begin placing the first row of stones. Check for level as you go, side to side and front to back. Add a bit of gravel to raise a stone as necessary or tap it with a rubber mallet to lower it. You might need to cut stones at some point to fit your layout. You can use a rafter/speed square, a chisel and a small sledgehammer to mark and cut a few stones. Practice on a spare stone. If you have many to cut, you might want to use a power saw. See our article, How to Cut Bricks, Patio Blocks and Pavers, for step-by-step instructions. Take safety precautions when cutting stones. If using a hammer and chisel, you need safety glasses and work gloves. If using a power saw, you need hearing protection, safety glasses and a respirator.

Once you have the first row of stones down, brush away any dust with a hand broom or deck brush.

Begin laying the second row of stones. Apply generous beads of construction adhesive to the tops of the stones in the first row as you go. Stagger the joints on each row so a stone spans a joint in the row below. You might need to begin the second course with a partial stone. Check for level as you go and press each stone firmly into the adhesive to create a strong bond. Backfill around the first layer of stone with paver base as necessary to allow drainage. Tamp down and top with soil.

Now you’re ready to plant your new bed. Fill the bed with premixed raised bed soil to make it easy for the plants to get a good start. You can use landscape fabric to block weed growth. Add your plants. We’ve got a tall shrub and we’re adding low-growing ground cover and colorful flowers. See our guide to planting a shrub if you’re adding a new shrub to your landscape. Be sure to check plant tags for tips on planting and care. Finish with a layer of mulch to help retain moisture in the soil, but pull the mulch back an inch or so from the plant stems.