How to Arrange Small Garden Beds

Choose a place in your yard that gets at least five hours of sunlight. If your location gets less than five hours of sunlight, choose plant varieties that thrive in partial sunlight or shade. For shady areas, plant Christmas rose, lily of the valley, vern plants or bluebells. Most vegetables only grow well in the sun.

Test your soil with a soil pH testing kit. Determine the types of plants you can grow in your soil based on the pH level. Improve and amend your soil, as needed.

Use the hand-feel test to determine if you have enough moisture in your soil. Grab a handful of soil and squeeze. If the soil breaks apart, it doesn't contain enough moisture. Soil that produces droplets of water when squeezed has too much moisture.

Decide on a color scheme. Plant three to five varieties of colored flowers in your yard, or an array of vibrant colors and shades. Determine if you want your yard to bloom in the growing season and throughout the winter months. Choose plans with different blooming times in order to have color in your yard year-round.

Plant your plants according to height. Plant tall plants in the back of the garden bed so they do not cast a shadow on shorter plants, or leave them in the shade. Plant in uniform rows for a clean landscaping look, or plant in a more haphazard manner for a more natural look.

Place a garden hose along an imaginary border to determine the perimeters. Plant a border or allow the garden to blend with the rest of lawn. Plant common bordering plants like monkey grass, cabbage or herbs, or plant a color scheme along the border to create an informal border.

Plan your garden bed so the focus is on one dramatic aspect like a small citrus tree, Japanese maple or bonsai tree, then add smaller supporting elements. Add a bench near the yard to add to the ambiance.