True Cost Guide Landscape Install a Flower Bed

How Much Does It Cost to Install a Flower Bed in 2022?

Typical Range:

$1,000 - $3,000

Cost data is based on research by HomeAdvisor.

Updated December 16, 2022

Written by HomeAdvisor.

With lawn and garden professionals charging $1,000 to $3,000 to install a new, 5-by-12-foot flower bed, it costs an average of $2,000 to have everything coming up roses in your yard. Factors like garden size, soil conditions, landscaping needs, and border choices can all impact the price to have a flower bed installed at your home.

Average Costs to Install a Flower Bed

Average Cost	High Cost	Low Cost
$2,000	$3,000	$1,000

Flower Bed Costs per Square Foot

Expect to pay between $4 and $12 per square foot, all-in, to install a flowerbed. This price does not include the plants, however, as there's too much variance in cost based on plant type, size, and level of maturity.

Flower Bed Installation Material Prices

The cost of materials when getting a standard 5-by-12-foot flower bed installed ranges from $200 to $500, depending on whether you choose wood, metal, or specialty material.

Wood

When choosing wood for a flower bed, expect to pay:

Cedar: $200–$300
Maple: $200–$350
Bamboo: $250–$400
Redwood: $300–$400
Teak: $400–$450

Metal

When choosing metal for flower beds, homeowners can expect to pay the following:

Aluminum: $250–$350
Steel: $350–$400
Iron: $400–$425

Specialty Materials

Here's what some specialty options cost:

Stock tank: $200–$300
Concrete: $200–$400
Cinder block: $200–$350
Rock: $250–$500

Topsoil

The cost for bulk topsoil, dirt, sand, mulch, or rock with delivery included is $730 on average. With topsoil costing $12 to $55 per cubic yard, the cost to fill your new flower bed depends on the bed size, depth, and number of flower beds.

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Flower Bed Installation Costs

The cost to hire a landscaping pro ranges from $50 to $150 per hour. If you want the expertise of a garden designer or architect near you who can help you to optimize your yard space while selecting plants and flowers that repel pests based on geography, climate, and soil type, the cost ranges from $70 to $150 per hour.

Flower Bed Installation Costs by Type

The difference between the high- and low-end prices for a flower bed installation comes down to dig versus no-dig.

No-Dig Flower Bed

A no-dig flower bed installs on top of the ground with minimal digging for installing the border and costs $800 to $1,000. A biodegradable base creates a layer for planting. A no-dig flower bed is cheaper than a dig flower bed because it requires less foundational work.

Dig Flower Bed

Installation for a dig flower bed includes tilling and preparing the soil, costing $1,200 to $3,000. Exposing the soil makes a dig flower bed ideal for plants and flowers, which require deeper soil to take root.

Raised Flower Bed

Building a raised garden bed costs an average of $85 to $550, depending on the size, the material, and the plants you fill it with. Raised beds are a great choice for gardeners who struggle to bend low or dig. Plus, they prevent soil erosion, limit weed growth, and help fend off certain pests and insects.

Type of Material	Cost Range (All-In)	Average Cost (All-In)
Straw Bale	$85 – $125	$105
Stock Tank	$100 – $250	$175
Concrete	$175 – $375	$275
Cinder Block	$200 – $350	$275
Rock	$225 – $450	$340
Metal	$250 – $400	$325
Wood	$275 – $500	$390
Brick	$325 – $500	$410
Stone	$350 – $500	$450

Flower Bed Installation Cost Factors

Soil type and terrain can increase the cost to install a flower bed because tilling and digging can be more complicated in rocky soil. Adding special features can also increase the cost of installing a flower bed.

Fencing

Intended to add aesthetic appeal while providing better containment of overflowing plants, fencing around your flower bed costs roughly $3 per linear foot.

Trellis

Adding a beautiful trellis that allows flowers and vines to grow upward can cost $300 to $800.

Weed Barriers

A weed barrier keeps invasive grass and weeds from growing into your garden for around $75.

Edging

Landscape edging costs between $0.50 and $22 per linear foot, depending on the material you choose to edge your flower beds with. Edging is both decorative and practical, as it keeps soil contained within the bed rather than letting it spill onto your lawn or pathway. Take a look at some of the more popular flower bed edging options and their costs.

Type of Edging Material	Cost Range Per Linear Foot (All-In)	Average Price Per Linear Foot (All-In)
Plastic	$0.50 – $1	$0.75
Rubber	$1.50 – $3	$2.25
Composite	$2 – $5	$3.50
Metal	$2.50 – $4	$3.25
Limestone	$3 – $4	$3.50
Concrete	$4 – $5	$4.50
Brick	$6 – $8	$7
Cinder Block	$7 – $15	$11
Paver	$9 – $17	$13
Wood	$10 – $15	$12.50
Rock	$10 – $18	$14
Stone	$12 – $22	$17

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Costs to Build a Flower Bed Yourself

With labor costs out of the way, most homeowners can build flower beds for around $800 to $1,200. However, some homeowners find that paying separately for a bulk topsoil delivery instead of having the price nested into their landscaping quote eats away at the savings. If you don't already own a tiller, the cost to rent one is $75 to $100 per day.

DIY vs. Hire a Flower Bed Pro

While building your own flower bed can be a satisfying experience that requires minimal skill, many homeowners prefer to rely on the expertise of local landscaping professionals. With gardens being notoriously finicky, getting help with selecting the right border type, designing a bed of the right size, and creating the right soil conditions can all help to ensure that blooms will actually happen when a garden is put to the test in the growing season.

FAQs

Is the cost of flowers included in a flower bed installation?

No, landscapers don't typically include flowers and associated planting services in bed-building costs. Most landscapers cost $30 to $80 per hour to plant flowers, with each plant and flower costing $2 to $50. The size, species, and maturity of plants impact their cost, and different species do best in different climates and soil types, so how much you'll pay for plants depends on where you live, the size of your flowerbed, and the condition of your soil.

Why do landscapers use flower bed liners?

After digging out your flower bed, most landscapers use a fabric liner to help preserve moisture in your soil. Liners also help prevent erosion, which will eat away into your flower bed over time. Flower bed liners also help to prevent weeds creeping up from deep in the ground, so there's less digging and weeding required to maintain the flower bed.

How do you prepare a spot for a flower bed?

It's important to create a clean area for your flower bed by removing grass, weeds, tree stumps, old roots, rocks, sod, sticks, and other debris that could prevent your garden from thriving. You'll need to mark out the area you want your flower bed to fill and dig down at least 8 to 12 inches to allow healthy root growth for just about any plant. You may want to give it an extra inch or two to add a layer of sharp sand for improved drainage. Then, once it's clear and level, you add the liner, the edging, the sharp sand, and the screened, weed-free topsoil. Then you add plants.

Is it necessary to mulch your flower bed every year?

Mulching a flower bed annually at the start of spring can help to preserve moisture to stop your bed from drying out in the hot summer months. Popular mulching materials include hay, shredded wood, bark, rock, hemlock, and pine. Using a natural mulch like straw, shredded bark, or pine needles that break down over time returns nutrients to the soil and makes it easy to dig the old mulch into the top soil before you add a fresh layer.

Can you use a stock tank for a flower bed?

Yes, you can use stock tanks as borders for flower beds. While this is a stylish and easy option, it's still important to follow all the steps for preparing the soil. Many landscapers now install stock tank flower beds. Stock tanks make a good option for flower beds on patios and paved areas, as they're deep enough to have a layer of gravel in the base for good drainage.