Front Porch Bed Lazy Extension - April 2026

This post is going up in mid-April, but I laid down this bed extension at the end of March.   This is the third bed that I've put down extensions this Spring - the most-recent one is the small Saratoga Ginkgo bed by the driveway.  

Over the years, I've extended this bed out from right in front of the boxwoods to where it stands now.  In Fall of 2024, I added to the edge the first time using this same (lazy) method.  Last year, I planted 64 annual vinca as bedding plants and I'll do much the same this year.  But, with this newly extended area, that total will have to go up.

Below is a photo showing the new extensions on each edge of the bed.  The southside bump-out is the largest part, where I added about a foot.  In the middle, I didn't add anything.  But, on the northside, down near the front steps, I've now connected this bed to the Saratoga Ginkgo bed.  

Here are some in-process photos where I used a mix of cardboards and craft paper along with municipal biosolids and composted manure.  First up, is the 'before' photo.  Then, the paper being laid down.  And, a peek at the new edge being cut out.

Of note, my 2026 to-do list included expanding the front yard bed (island bed), but I'm going to take credit (extra credit?) for also doing these other two front porch beds, too.  

I've talked this Spring how one of the key elements of this (lazy) bed extension method is the idea of time.  Time to smother the grass.  Time for the biosolids to 'mellow out'.  And time for the cardboard to decompose.  

Last year, I planted up this bed with annuals in June.  We're now (almost) three weeks into these being extended.  May 1st will be five weeks.  June 1st will be nine weeks.  I'm thinking that will be just fine.