We had a bunch of trees cut down and our yard looked like a mess and we have been slowly trying to clean it up. But there was one space I always wanted to add a garden bed with tons of flowers and bushes near the road.
There were two trees in that spot but once one was taken down, it was the perfect time to actually create the bed since it was torn up anyway.
With Henry headed off to kindergarten, we always talk about how he will get on the bus, and Molly and I will be waiting for him to get home. I had the idea to build a “waiting for the bus” bench.
Since the road is on top of a hill there was no safe place to put a bench, then it dawned on me to add it to the garden bed I wanted to create!
I searched Pinterest for building plans for a simple bench, but one thing I wanted was to add house numbers on our bench to make it a little more custom. I had to take that into consideration when I was looking for plans.
I found plans for a bench with planters on each side on construct101.com. It’s made completely out of 2x4s so it cost less than $50 to make! If you follow me on Instagram you would have seen behind the scenes of the building of the bench and if you want to know how to make your own, just visit Construct101 for full plans!
After the bench was made, I outlined the area we wanted with a no dig edging. We made it larger than I thought, because it was already torn up anyway so why not mulch it instead of growing grass?
I did buy a few plants/flowers but plan to transplant a bunch of Hostas, plant bulbs and add more plants as the budget and weather are right. I am also waiting to add flowers to the planters in the bench.
After spreading the mulch it was time to add the house numbers. These numbers from QT Home Decor are perfect. They are metal and come with hardware for a floating look. I received the 8″ black and they’re awesome. I love how the black plays off of the black mulch. Plus, they were so easy to install. Just had to follow the directions!
I think the house numbers add a custom look, are really sleek and just plain helpful since our house is set back from the road.
What do you think? Tell me what kind of plants/flowers/ bushes you would plant in here!
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Glenna Lambert
Saturday 16th of May 2020
Do weeds still grow up from the mulch?
HOMEGIRL
Thursday 23rd of July 2020
I have landscape fabric down and I also use preen.
Kay Everson
Friday 15th of May 2020
Hostas are a great shady plant. Now is the season that many people will be dividing theirs and looking for people to share them with. There are so many different types it would boggle your mind. Great garden area and place to greet your son on his return from school!
Patty
Friday 15th of May 2020
Phenomenal Job.
Cate
Monday 5th of August 2019
As you probably know, the amount of light/sun an area gets dictates what will grow/not grow there. Record the timing of the direct sun as it comes and goes. Take that info to your friendly garden center and they'll direct you. As a master gardener i often get the question, "why did my plant(s) die? When I look at the garden, Hostas are baked in the hot sun; or other plants are not getting the sun they need. I recommend taking a picture of the area with you on your search. Great job on the mulch and on that terrific bench! Kudos to you!!
Barbara Warner
Monday 5th of August 2019
Lots of daffodils and grape hyacinths for spring (squirrels won't eat daff buls) and a few peonies, maybe some helianthus and a few perennial sage (salvia) Lovely spot. None of these plants would get huge but they'd come back yr after yr. All you'd have to do is weed occasionally and mulch.