Mulch Bed Refresh with Stone Edging — Project Breakdown

Recreated educational scenario based on common front yard bed maintenance. Not a specific client project.

~250 sq ft

Bed Area

~$150

DIY Material Cost

$400–700

Contractor Estimate

4–5 hours

Time Required

Easy

Difficulty

Materials & Cost

Material	Quantity	Cost
Natural edging stones (flat river rock, 6"–10")	~50 stones (~100 lbs)	$45
Wood chip mulch (bulk or bags)	2 cubic yards	$65
Half-moon edger (if you don't own one)	1	$25
Miscellaneous (stakes, string)	—	$10
Total		~$145

Step-by-Step

Cut Clean Bed Edges (1.5 hours)

Use a half-moon edger (not a string trimmer) to cut a 3-inch deep, vertical edge along the entire bed perimeter. Remove all the dug-out turf and soil. A clean cut at 90 degrees is the goal — this is what makes the bed look professional, not the stones or mulch that come later.

Set Stone Border (1 hour)

Place flat natural stones along the inside of the freshly cut edge, half-buried in the soil for stability. Space them touching or with minimal gaps. No mortar, no adhesive — the weight and soil contact hold them in place. Stagger sizes slightly for a natural look.

Fresh Mulch (1.5 hours)

Spread wood chip mulch 3 inches deep across the entire bed area. Work from the back of the bed forward to avoid footprints in finished mulch. Keep mulch 2–3 inches away from plant stems and tree trunks — mulch volcanoes against bark cause rot.

Key Takeaways

The edge cut is 80% of the result. Don't rush it — take the time to get it clean and consistent.
Natural stone edging looks better than plastic and lasts indefinitely in freeze-thaw conditions.
Never pile mulch against plant stems — this causes crown rot and bark damage over 1–2 seasons.
This is the project with the single best visual return on investment in landscaping. Do it every spring.

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