- 1). Dig into the soil around the base of the front porch with a garden shovel. Feel the soil, and evaluate its texture and moisture level. Describe it and jot down descriptors on a piece of paper. Note whether the soil was easy to dig, whether it was sandy or clay, whether earthworms were found, or other general characteristics of the soil conditions in an area within 5 feet of the front of the porch you wish to screen.
- 2). Measure the height of the area to screen under the front porch, which determines how tall a plant you need for effective screening. Make the measurement from soil level upward to the base of the porch, porch railing or other height you want to screen. Write this measurement down on the paper. If the porch railing is ornate and attractive, do not plan to have vegetation growing too tall to hide this architectural feature.
- 3). Measure the width of the area in front of the porch that needs screening. Write this measurement down, keeping in mind the total area to be screened includes areas on both sides of the front steps. For example, when measuring is complete, you may have information that the screen needs to be 4 feet tall over two beds that each measures 14 feet long. You need enough plants to screen an area 28 feet long.
- 4). Purchase evergreen shrubs at the plant nursery that mature to a height similar to the measurements taken to screen the base of the front porch. Read the plant labels to learn how large the shrubs grow in both height and width. For example, if the porch area to be hidden measures 4 feet tall, you want shrubs that naturally mature to 4 feet, perhaps 5 feet at most. If the plant label reveals each shrub matures 5 feet wide, divide your total area of 28 feet to determine you need at least five or six shrubs to plant. Because there are two beds of equal length, buy six or eight plants -- three or four on each side -- so an equal number of plants are placed for even coverage across the porch's front.
- 5). Plant the shrubs according to your design to screen the front porch's base. The simplest placement is a single row. Do not plant the shrubs too close to the porch base, as this later causes leaning shrubs and branches to scratch and grow into the foundation. Plant the shrubs no closer than 3 feet from the edge of the porch. Over time the shrubs will fill out to an even shape, not requiring lots of pruning to keep them at an appropriate size.
- 6). Place a 3-inch to 4-inch layer of organic mulch over the soil around the plants. The mulch helps provide the shrub's roots with nutrients and retained moisture and makes the area under the porch look tidy and complete. Healthier shrubs grow faster and produce more leaves and branches to screen more of the area under the porch.
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