Simple Front Yard Landscaping Before and After

This simple front yard landscaping before and after features jasmine ground cover, mulch, and porch planters to create easy curb appeal in a weekend.

I’m declaring this year the year of curb appeal.

The first year we moved into this home was all about making the interior livable. At the time, the front yard looked like the first image below. Then last year, we poured our energy into the backyard – retaining walls, a sport court, and a lot of dirt. It was worth it, but the front yard ended up a little worse for wear.

So this year, we finally turned our attention to the front. After adding hardscaping and re-sodding the lawn last fall, it felt like the right time to tackle this awkward raised bed in the middle of the yard. Originally filled with rock – low maintenance but cold – it had become a magnet for weeds. And it wasn’t doing anything to help our curb appeal.

So this spring, I decided it was time for a change. With a few plants, some good soil and mulch, and a little help from The Home Depot, we added a soft, green welcome to our home.

This post is sponsored by The Home Depot. All opinions are my own.

The Plan: a Greener Front Yard

After living with dirt, rocks, and weeds for so long, I knew I wanted something softer. Here in Central Texas, it’s common to see front yards filled with xeriscaping. And while I appreciate the practicality, I always preferred something a little more lush. Give me climbing roses and gravel paths… a hint of an English garden, even in a Texas climate.

So I set out to add green – evergreen, low-maintenance, heat-tolerant green.

Jasmine felt like the perfect fit. We had a huge jasmine bed surrounding the giant oak tree in my childhood front yard, and I still remember how it smelled in the summer. It’s also incredibly easy to care for – you can trim it with your regular yard edger. And it brings softness and greenery without the mess.

To tie in the porch, I knew I wanted to keep things simple with rosemary. It thrives in the heat, and this variety adds a little sprawling, organic structure. Plus, it smells amazing… And my kids specifically requested it. Together with the jasmine, it feels like a step toward the quiet charm I was craving.

The Process: Planting Jasmine in our Raised Bed

The raised bed is huge – approximately 30′ x 10′, so this was not an easy project… But a satisfying one. I prefer to go to my local Home Depot to purchase live goods and supplies, but they also offer online ordering and fast shipping options.

Here is what we did:

1. Cleared the bed of remaining rocks and weeds
2. Tilled the soil using a gas-powered tiller
3. Spread raised bed soil across the surface
4. Tilled again to mix the new soil into the existing ground
5. Planted jasmine about 18 inches apart, following the curves of the bed
6. Spread a layer of black mulch to finish and help retain moisture

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I enlisted help from my girls to remove the rocks and weeds. The leather palm gardening gloves came in clutch, as we did see a couple of scorpions. After that, I used a gas-powered tiller to break up the compacted soil. Then I spread a layer of this organic raised bed soil from The Home Depot and tilled again to blend it all together. It made such a difference in depth and texture!

TOOLS WE USED (or similar):

The jasmine went in next, about a foot and a half apart, planted loosely in a grid but following the natural curve of the wall rather than rigid rows. Finally, we topped everything with a layer of black mulch for moisture retention and a clean, finished look. Within a couple of years, the jasmine should grow in completely, removing the need for mulch in the future.

WHAT WE USED (check your local Home Depot for the plants, though!):

It wasn’t complicated, just slow and methodical. By the end of the weekend, the space felt completely different!

The Porch Planters: Simple, Green, and Practical

Remember,  I want a low-maintenance English garden in Texas climate… totally reasonable, right? But really, I’m trying to bring more green without over complicating things. So while the raised bed was the biggest visual shift, I knew the porch could use some attention, too. I didn’t want anything overly styled – just something green, fresh, and simple to echo the softness of the jasmine bed.

I found these tall black planters at The Home Depot and loved the fluted texture. They feel clean and timeless without being too formal.

I chose prostrate rosemary from my local Home Depot (also called creeping rosemary) for the planters: it thrives in our climate, and this variety has a relaxed, sprawling shape that softens the edges. And, as I said, it was actually a request from my kids, which made it an easy choice.

GET THE LOOK:

The After: A Softer, Greener Welcome

Together, the jasmine and the planters frame the front yard in a way that feels natural, calm, and welcoming – exactly the kind of curb appeal I was going for.

The transformation isn’t dramatic in the traditional sense – there’s no bold color or major construction (just wait for that in the next round!)… But for today, that’s exactly what I love about this makeover. In a single weekend, we added softness, greenery, and quiet charm. We incorporated plants that are nostalgic for both me and my children, and we set the tone for the updates we’re making to the exterior of our home in the months to come.

It’s amazing what a few plants, a little soil and mulch, and a few hours of effort can do – especially with the help of The Home Depot.