Build your estimate
All rates are editable. Changes update the estimate instantly.
Bed size
Plants
Finish & watering
Labour
What the estimate measures
The calculator turns bed area into soil and mulch volume, adds plants and edging by unit, then layers in irrigation and labour. A 10% allowance can cover cut waste, settling and small overruns.
2026 Canadian benchmarks
Defaults are planning estimates—not quotes. Retail prices, delivery, taxes, plant size and contractor overhead vary. Edit every rate to match local pricing.
- PJ’s Plantation 2026 price list lists 3.5-inch annuals at C$4.40 and 1-gallon perennials at C$18.99; those figures set the Canadian plant defaults.
- Home Depot Canada edging listings showed a 20-foot no-dig kit at C$22.98 and a 100-foot heavy-duty kit at C$129 (about C$1.15–C$1.29 per foot). The flexible-edging default uses C$1.15/ft.
- Home Depot Canada lawn & garden listings showed a 56.6 L (2 cu. ft.) bag of Vigoro mulch at C$4.00. The C$54/yd³ default approximates 13.5 bags per cubic yard; bulk and delivery pricing may differ.
- Home Depot Canada topsoil listings showed bagged soil from C$1.88 for basic topsoil to C$6.98 for 28.3 L enriched soil. The C$72/yd³ default is an estimated blended/bulk planning rate and should be replaced with a local supplier quote.
- Government of Canada Job Bank reported a C$29.81/hour national median wage for landscaping contractors and supervisors (page modified June 2, 2026). The C$65/hour billing default is an estimate that allows for employer costs, equipment, travel, overhead and profit—not a wage claim.
- Home Depot Canada’s garden-bed drip kit listing describes a hose-attached kit covering 16 sq. ft. Irrigation dollar values here are editable planning estimates because product choice and site layout vary widely.
Turn your plan into real quotes
Post your job on HomeStars — Canada’s marketplace for reviewed local pros — and get free quotes from landscapers in your area. A pro can confirm your soil, drainage and planting plan before you spend.
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Garden cost questions
The practical details behind the estimate.
How much does it cost to create a garden bed?
A garden bed can range from a few hundred dollars for a small DIY annual bed to several thousand dollars for a professionally installed perennial bed. Size, soil depth, plant count, edging, irrigation and labour are the main cost drivers.
How much soil do I need for a new garden bed?
Multiply bed area by amendment depth, then divide cubic feet by 27 to get cubic yards. This calculator uses your bed dimensions and chosen depth and adds a 10% allowance for settling and waste.
Are perennials more expensive than annuals?
Perennials usually cost more per plant at purchase, but return for multiple seasons when suited to the local hardiness zone. Annuals are generally cheaper per plant but are commonly replaced each year.
Should I install drip irrigation?
Drip irrigation is useful for larger beds, water-sensitive plants or gardens that are difficult to water consistently. A hose-fed starter kit is often enough for a small bed; complex multi-zone systems cost substantially more.
Does the estimate include sales tax?
No. The calculator shows a pre-tax planning estimate because tax rates vary by province, state and product. Add local sales tax and any delivery or disposal fees to your working budget.
How can I lower the cost of a new garden?
Start with a smaller bed, use locally suitable perennials in wider spacing, buy soil and mulch in bulk when delivery makes sense, use a clean spade-cut edge, and do planting and mulching yourself if the site is safe and accessible.
Free guide
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Free 2026 guide: what 10 common home projects actually cost in Canada — real contractor price ranges, provincial comparisons, and a printable budgeting checklist.
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Calculator results are estimates for early-stage budgeting and are not contractor quotes, engineering advice, tax advice or guarantees of final cost.