It sounds as if you are really starting from scratch if you don't know how to edge a bed. Get thee to the library and get some books out that explain how to plant, how to maintain, and how to design landscapes. How-to landscaping books don't always have a lot of pictures of nice installed landscapes, but some do, and many of the magazines do. Books about garden style, without the how-to part will have better pictures, see if your library has books by well known landscape designers and architects or if they can get them for you. Some libraries archive magazines and will dig them out for you, so it pays to ask if they have copies of Garden Design or Horticulture magazine. Start looking for pictures of front gardens that you like that have homes similar in style to yours. If you start buying magazines, you can rip out the pages and save them in a folder. This may be better than driving around the neighborhood, because you may only have DIY designs that are so-so to look at there. Once you have collected some that you like, try to figure out what it is that you like about them. They will have something in common. They may have a lot of color, or little color but a lot of textured foliage with a more serene look. They may look cottage-y or mimimalist or whatever. They may be mostly lawn or have very little. They may be shady and cool looking, or sunny and bright. They may have a lot of warm colors, or mostly cool. Straight lines or curves. Make a list of what it is you think attracts you to them, and how they make you feel, and refer to that list every time you are going to make a decision about your own plan. If the idea you have is not "in tune" with the goal of your design, don't use it. You can use plants that will cascade over the edges of your raised bed and hide it. Microbiota comes to mind, there are others. Once the edges are hidden (do it on paper first) you can incorporate it into a larger bed that ignores it completely, using additional small shrubs and perennials. At this point you can use a curved bed or straight, whatever you prefer. If you can manage to remove the ties, you should be able to plant some small shrubs that will camoflage the eyesores without having to build anything around them. I don't see why you'd necessarily need a berm, either, unless the soil is too shallow there to support plants.

Hello! I recently bought a house and I want to figure out something to do with the front of it. It faces the west. I am trying to do this on a budget perhaps, and it will be DIY. I thought about ripping out the bushes, and pouring concrete or laying brick/pavers in a decent spot that extends past where the bushes are now. It could be rounded out by a low retaining wall for looks? I could build a pergola up top for looks as well. Anyway, here is a pic of my house. What comes to mind when you see this as far as adding a cost-effective front sitting area?Do you have any pics of your ideas? Would it look too odd to do this to a house style like this? The black awnings are coming off btw. I don't want to add a new roof anywhere if possible. Thanks for any help! The first pic is my house. The others are just some that I found online, and only wood decks really. This front seating area could be a low wood deck, but I would imagine a concrete pad or brick/paver would be cheaper?

Step 1: Read up on mid-century modern style. Your ranch has lots of character that should be embraced! I recommend checking out https://retrorenovation.com/ to gain an understanding & appreciation of the old-school looks! Step 2: Tackle landscaping. A lush green lawn would do wonders, but you could go all-out and hire a landscape designer who gets the vibe and can highlight the architecture with harmonious plants. A funky house can pull off funky plants! The current shrubs are too plain & ordinary. The walkway to the front door should have more presence as well; it currently just blends into the grass in a boring straight line. Step 3: I would paint the parts that are currently yellow a crisp white or grey instead, then go bold & bright on the front door. Maybe orange or turquoise. That's it! Additional thoughts: Do NOT change the roofline, it's your home's best feature. Painting the brick could work, but I'd advise against it unless I saw all the above changes first and you were still unhappy. Unless the windows are structurally unsound, I would leave them as-is. If they must be replaced, definitely do not replace them with "standard"/traditional ones! Replacements should be in keeping with the architectural style. I'd love to see the inside!!

"undulating shrub tube". haha, best description ever. maybe it's not in your plans, but I would consider painting the stucco and brick too. the red bricks with red roof and tan siding is kind of 70s looking to me (sorry!). you might even be able to stucco over the bricks for a more consistent look (IDK, ask an expert). I'm so happy you're considering environmentally responsible landscaping options! go to local nurseries which will help you find the right kinds of plants. native plants will be the lowest maintenance and happiest in your particular zone, and they benefit birds as well! (edited because I just realized you said northern california.)