Dressing Up Garden Beds
Now is a great time to dress up those garden beds in need of a facelift.
Always start by calling 811 at least three business days before putting the first shovel in the ground. They’ll have the underground utilities in your work area marked. This helps eliminate the danger and inconvenience of accidently knocking out power, cable or other utilities.
And remember to look up. Avoid planting trees and large shrubs under overhead utilities that may grow into the wires when they reach their mature size. This can cause a hazardous situation and result in severe pruning that leaves you with an unnatural looking plant.
Now that you know the areas to avoid, start looking for opportunities to add color, texture and a bit of bird and butterfly appeal to your landscape. Identify areas in need of seasonal color, winter interest or screening to mask bad views.
A bit more information: Use areas under transmission lines for low growing pollinator friendly plants. These contiguous corridors allow birds, butterflies and bees to efficiently gather food while providing year-round shelter and places to raise their young.
Related
Audio
Audio
Article
Categories
Upcoming Live Events
& Webinars
Jan. 10, 2026
Greater Des Moines
Botanical Garden
Des Moines, IA
Register here
Jan. 28, 2026
FREE WEBINAR:
Past, Present & Future of Mitchell Park and its Conservatory, the Domes
Register here
Feb. 13 - 15, 2026
PBS Wisconsin
Garden & Green Living EXPO
Madison, WI
More information
Feb. 18, 2026
FREE WEBINAR:
Plants that Go the Distance
Register here
March 26, 2026
FREE WEBINAR:
Getting Started Growing Vegetable and Flower Gardens
Register here
WATCH ON-DEMAND WEBINARS
Learn More


