Late winter offers an abundance of flower seeds to be planted – planting them is one of the most enjoyable aspects of gardening! Choose perennial and native species to create an ecosystem conducive to bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.
Make sure that your garden gets plenty of sun; most flowering plants need between six and eight hours of direct sunlight per day for proper growth. Also be aware of your USDA growing zone designation!
Choose a Location
Selecting an ideal location for your flower garden is crucial. A space receiving six hours or more of full sun should ensure that your blooms will flourish without overcrowding the area. Before purchasing plants, read their label to understand their spacing requirements before visiting a nursery and selecting those which meet them.
By setting out borders of your flower garden with garden edging or stones, it will prevent grass and weeds from taking over. Experienced designers often combine flowers that require similar maintenance together – for instance drought-tolerant varieties should be planted alongside water-wise varieties, while sun lovers should enjoy being next to other sun lovers that enjoy equal amounts of sun during the day. Staggered bloom times make filling it with perennials and annuals easier while adding continuous color and beauty while adding value to your home.
Prepare the Soil
Flowering plants need sunlight, quality soil and proper irrigation in order to flourish. When selecting a location for your garden, ensure it can support the flowers you intend to cultivate – this includes knowing your USDA growing zone as well as the first frost date in your region in order to plant accordingly.
As part of your garden design plan, consider how much sunlight your garden receives daily if planting full-sun perennials or shrubs. Aim for at least six hours of direct sun each day in order to achieve optimal results.
If you already have an established flower bed, start by digging to loosen its soil using a shovel or spade with a rounded tip as this will allow roots to penetrate more easily through loosened soil. Garden forks or renting rototillers may also come in handy here to break up clumps of dirt allowing new roots to penetrate. An organic mulch layer may help keep soil moisture-retaining.
Plant
Plan carefully when planting window boxes, raised beds or an entire flower garden. Select an area that receives at least six hours of direct sunlight per day and is close to an accessible water faucet or hose so that soil moisture can easily be maintained.
Expert flower garden designers use a mix of flowers and foliage to ensure year-round appeal in their design. A good plan includes shrubs for winter structure, perennials for summer bloom and fall color, annuals to add seasonal color in between, according to horticulturist Carolyn Johnson.
Make a diagram or list of what you would like to plant in your flower bed and stick with it when visiting nurseries and shopping for plants. It can be tempting to overspend when faced with so many beautiful options – just remember Michelangelo had only so many ceiling tiles to use in his Sistine Chapel ceiling!
Take Care of the Flowers
Flower gardens require year-round maintenance; successful gardens require proper seasonal planning, protection from the elements, and nourishment for their soil to flourish.
Design of a flower garden is ultimately subjective; some prefer formal gardens with straight-edged beds and rows of blooms; while others opt for more natural designs with winding curves and scattered clusters of blooms.
Whatever style you decide upon, start small. Over-planting a flower bed can lead to poor results from its plants; make sure the bed is within easy reach of a garden hose to ensure you can water without knocking over buds from stems, and deadhead regularly as this will encourage new blossoms to appear. Furthermore, water the ground rather than foliage as this helps prevent fungal disease outbreaks.