Step by step: 

Step 1 Choose a site

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If its an already established bed skip to: Step 4

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Step 2 Design shape and Remove Sod

When designing a shape, I mark it out with flags, spray paint, rope or I just cut into it. 

I used a flat headed shovel for this work. A sod cutter works great too! They are 80-100$/a day to rent. 

Bring the sod to a designated pile in your yard. It will decay and turn into good soil to fill in holes in the lawn. 

or 

Bring to local disposal. 

This is heavy work a wheelbarrow or buckets are recommended. 

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Step 3 amend the soil (optional) 

This step is optional, there are many varieties of native plants that thrive in unamended soil. 

Typically, I put down 1 inch of compost, I turn it in while planting. Most places will deliver or you can fill buckets. At some transfer stations this material is free. Typical cost per yard is 75-100$ with delivery. Great Local places to get from are:

Stonington Transfer Station 

Lyme Transfer Station 

Fleming Feed

Earth Care Farms 

Holdridge Home and Garden 

Burnette's Country Gardens 

Eagle Quality Landscaping 

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Step 4 Choose your plants 

The most expensive part of the process unless you are willing to grow from seed. 

(skip 4a if you are DIY only) 

For a 50-300$+ fee I can tailor a plant selection, order and have the plants delivered to you from a wholesaler. 

Costs cover the site visit, plant selection and facilitation/delivery.

Plants bought this way would be around 10$/plant vs 15$+, I can also order plugs, uncommon species etc

Example: 

5ftx5ft garden square will take around 15 plants to fill. About 150$ 

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4a

Plant selection depends on site conditions. Sunny, shady, dry, medium, wet etc

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For sunny dry site plants: 

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/e/2PACX-1vShdyQI5E-gEHuwTJCndXc-3G6OknW6X5kmNql8pTolohiwRbZMBPqHio7UNMeweua_50WFekNrSB41/pub?start=false&loop=false&delayms=3000

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For shady wet site plants:

​https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/e/2PACX-1vS-KJ4IoGPgINA163DPy9Robz9FiUP68vMDVTLv6F3sIrqxcnvQR2YzkIMdh9hh3shEXYQU3Xw3bkBW/pub?start=false&loop=false&delayms=3000

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For shady medium site plants:

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/e/2PACX-1vSZ2MqFNJwOPaYXQgasasxhIQ01qZ84sV5H-3H5QsJVQFSqWX25Qmw1ciF2Y3Vkmx24fRfBf5-msH9H/pub?start=false&loop=false&delayms=3000

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For shady dry site plants:

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/e/2PACX-1vTeFMjEkd2LOUuAf5o6k2SeMUU5dKYOGCAhLPFGcsO2Is4uCgYqbonsBSgVgE7rBRKO61V75WPnIXNe/pub?start=false&loop=false&delayms=3000

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Step 5

Design based on preference. I typically have the shorter plants towards the outside and the taller plants on the inside.

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Step 6

Lightly mulch .5-1inch be sure not to mound at the base of the plants.

Bagged mulch, bulk, leaves etc

Local suppliers:

Thompsons Lumber

Flemings feed

Holdridge home and garden 

Eagle Quality

Burnette's country gardens 

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Step 7

If planted in spring, water once a week if it doesn't rain every 4th day 

If planted in summer *not recommended*, water every 3 days unless we get good rain, a good rain is one that lasts more than 3-4 hours. 

If planted in fall *best time to plant*, water once a week for 1 month and every 2 weeks if we don't get rain.