Prepare soil Great gardens are made of great soil. Take the time to get this right by tilling the bed at least 18 inches deep (or turning the soil with a spade or shovel) and adding needed amendments. My garden is full of heavy clay, so I always work in a large dose of peat moss and organic compost as well as organic time-release fertilizer whenever I plant. Bring a soil sample from your yard to your local garden center for advice from knowledgeable staff.

Follow the map Use your sketch to place plants throughout the bed, spacing according to mature size and form. (This is known as “spotting.”) Begin by spotting largest plants—flowering shrubs or large perennials—first, then move to smaller perennials and finish with annuals. Dig a hole twice as wide but no deeper than the container. Fill in around the plant, tamping the soil gently but firmly.

Care The first few weeks are critical as plants establish themselves in the bed. Once all the plants are in the ground, give them a thorough watering and then cover the entire bed with no more than 2 inches of mulch (see Glossary). To prevent rot, keep the mulch away from the crown of the plant. Feed weekly with all-purpose fertilizer (follow label instructions). As your plants grow, trim to maintain their shape. Some will grow faster than others, so pinch and prune to keep them in check. If a plant isn’t performing, don’t let it suffer. Pull it out and replace it with one that will thrive. Soon, your garden will have a show-quality look.

photography: Kelly Quinn