Urbandale Backyard Gets Fresh Beds, Rock and New Plantings

Most backyard beds reach a point where they just look tired. The edging is lost, the rock has shifted or disappeared, and there's nothing growing in them that makes you want to look twice. That's exactly where this Urbandale yard was before we got started.

This was a three-day job, and honestly, the edging alone was a workout. Running clean, consistent border along a bed that curves and stretches the length of a fence line takes patience - no shortcuts if you want it to look right. That crisp separation between turf and bed is what makes everything else pop once you step back.

Once the edging was set, we brought in fresh river rock throughout the beds. River rock is one of those materials that just works well for low-maintenance setups - it doesn't break down, it doesn't need replacing every season, and it handles drainage well. Pair that with clean soil prep and you've got a bed that's going to stay looking sharp without a ton of upkeep.

The plantings we put in are a nice mix - columnar arborvitae spaced evenly along the fence line, with some lower accent plantings filling in around them. The arbs will naturally grow into a soft privacy screen over time, which adds a real practical benefit on top of the clean look. Everything was planted with room to grow, so it won't feel cramped as the season progresses.

When all three elements come together - tight edging, fresh rock, and the right plants in the right spots - the yard just looks finished. Not overdone, just done right. That's the goal every time.