How to Build an In-Ground Flower Bed

Mark off the area that you want to turn into a flower bed with stakes and string, or use a shovel to dig a line to create the boundaries. Make the bed large enough to hold the mature size of the flowers you choose, which can be very large depending on the flowers. Remove all the weeds and grass from the area before digging up the soil. Start digging up the surface of the flower bed with a shovel from the outside edge.

Dig the soil to the depth of 8 to 10 inches with a shovel. Break the soil up with the edge of a garden hoe. Remove any rocks and large root masses. Do not work the soil if it sticks to the tools. If the soil is wet, it will turn into compacted soil and trap the water on top of the soil.

Spread a 2 to 4 inch layer of organic material over the top of the flower bed. Use compost, peat moss or well-rotted manure to add nutrients to the soil. Organic matter provides developing flowers with a source of slow-release food. Use a shovel and mix the organic material into the loosened soil.

Broadcast the recommended rate of 10-10-10 slow-release fertilizer, as described on the package, on top of the soil. Mix the fertilizer into the top 2 to 4 inches of soil with a rake. Smooth the top of the flower bed with a rake, but do not press the soil down. Keep the soil light and fluffy to give plants and germinating seeds room to grow.

Place stones, wooden fencing or some other edging around the outside of the flower bed. This separates the flower bed from the lawn. Place large stone slabs or groups of flat river rocks in spaces that will not be planted. Plan on leaving a few large open areas to provide yourself with an area to stand inside the flower bed and pull weeds. Follow the flower variety planting instructions when placing flowers in the bed.