We border a wooded area & 2 neighbors have huge lots
So even tho its only 1/2 acre it seems very large
I actually put brick edging down around every garden, so no more edging
I put one wheel of the lawnmower on the brick to cut the lawn
I have only mulched once in 6 years - usually just the edges near the brick
I go for the jungle look -gardens are very full
Plus that way I don't have to water
I actually weed out perennials now...every time we have a party I try to give more away
My last house was further south & I only had 1/10 of an acre
It was a summer cottage area for the nearby lakes, so lots were very small
One reason for the gradens is my yard is mostly fenced, as is the pool area
So rather then mow & edge/weed wack along the fence I put in gardens
Any where from 2'-5' wide
I have hummingbirds every year now - they like the red flower -monarda