We’ve been focusing on improving our curb appeal recently—planning planting beds, sharpening edges, and spreading a fresh layer of mulch. With Clara’s birthday party coming up this weekend, we wanted the front yard to look its best. Nature has already done a lot of the heavy lifting by turning everything lush and green, so we concentrated on tidying up the view from the porch. As the title hints, mulch and bed edging were the main projects.
To put things in context, last summer the planting beds were a mix of weeds and bare soil—basically a gradient from unruly to empty. The lawn did fill in fairly well over the season, though not perfectly. We overseeded this spring and will likely aerate and reseed in the fall to get an even thicker, more consistent lawn. Even so, we never got around to mulching last year, so the beds still looked rough when spring arrived.
We considered free mulch options after hearing about them from neighbors, but nothing was available nearby. After asking around and doing the numbers, we chose to have mulch delivered rather than hauling dozens of bags from a big-box store. A local supplier could deliver 10 cubic yards of basic hardwood mulch for $280, which beat the cost and effort of buying the equivalent amount in bags. Even the cheapest bagged mulch would have cost more and required transporting around 135 bags ourselves, so delivery made the most sense.
That said, delivery didn’t mean no work. I spent a couple of afternoons shoveling wheelbarrow after wheelbarrow until the beds were fully covered. My daughter helped for a while, wielding her tiny trowel with enthusiasm—next time I’ll convince her to use something a bit bigger. It was manual labor, but satisfying: watching tired, uneven beds transform into tidy, welcoming spaces is always rewarding.
Over roughly 2.5 afternoons we made noticeable progress. While there’s still more to do—like planting additional shrubs, flowers, and patching a few thin spots in the lawn—we’re much closer to the curb appeal we want. We also debated the exact shapes of some beds; for example, we’re considering extending the bed in the foreground along the outside of the path so we can eventually plant on both sides of the walkway. Minor layout decisions like that feel important because they determine how the space will be used and perceived.
Part of the process was defining clean edges between grass and mulch. I used a hose to lay out the bed shapes, deliberately nudging the line slightly into the grass so the border would be thick and healthy. Then I used a small edging spade to cut a neat line and remove a shallow ribbon of turf. Removing the grass within the bed area and setting the bed a bit lower than the surrounding lawn helps prevent grass from creeping back and keeps the mulch contained, which makes the beds look sharper longer.
Once the beds were dug and cleared, they were ready for mulch. The final shapes aren’t perfect yet, and I’m not entirely satisfied with every curve, but once we plant a few more shrubs and flowers the layout will read more naturally. For now we’re working with the existing plantings and building outward from what’s already established.
After spreading the mulch the beds immediately looked refreshed and tidy. There was one struggling azalea that clearly has been a target for deer, but overall the beds read as neat and intentional. The difference between bare soil and a thick layer of mulch is dramatic: beds feel finished and well cared for, even before new plants are added.
I won’t go through every bed in the yard, but stepping back and comparing before-and-after progress from the last nine months is motivating. Seeing the steady improvement reminds us that landscaping is an ongoing process—small investments in time and effort add up.
This picture makes me so grateful that winter is over.
We ended up with a little more mulch than we needed. Based on our measurements and an online mulch calculator we estimated 10 cubic yards, but next time we’ll probably order 7 or 8 cubic yards for the same area. The excess got used in the backyard and to thicken up the larger bed by the driveway, so nothing went to waste.
With the mulching and edging complete, the property now looks much less neglected, even if there are still a few weeds in the driveway and some empty beds waiting for plants. We’re considering hiring the landscaper who helped with our showhouse for a consultation. We liked working with him before and think a professional’s input would help us choose plants that tolerate deer and suit the light conditions we have. We’d handle the planting and follow-through, but a brief design consult could make the planting plan more successful and long-lasting.
Are you doing any yard work or landscaping this season? It’s amazing how much good mulch, clean edges, and a little elbow grease can improve the look of a home.
PS – Sherry created a photo project page for Teddy this weekend, including his three-week picture and a few outtakes. We’ll keep adding weekly photos there, similar to how we documented Clara’s progress.