Flower gardens require both annuals and perennials for continuous color all season long, as well as proper soil preparation to achieve success. A good garden location and preparation is of utmost importance in order to achieve success in this venture.
Start by monitoring an area for several days to understand its available sunlight. Some flowers require full sun while others thrive under more shady conditions.
Location
Your ideal location for growing flowers will depend on what kind of blooms you want to cultivate, from lush hydrangeas and drought-tolerant succulents, to stunning sunflowers and vibrant butterfly-attracting perennials that need full sunlight all day long. If your goal is to cultivate bee-, butterfly- and hummingbird-friendly gardens then planting native perennials instead of fancy hybrids could provide sufficient pollen and nectar production that can sustain bees, butterflies and other wild creatures in your locality.
Before beginning your garden planning efforts, test the pH levels in your soil to ensure it falls between the appropriate range for most flowers (6.5 to 7.2). Also take into consideration whether or not there will be an easily accessible water source nearby – this makes watering daily much simpler!
Soil
Soil quality plays a significant role in the success and health of your flower garden, so choose pre-mixed potting soil that provides all of the essential nutrients as well as drains well.
Before planting in any location, first ensure it is free from buried utility lines. Many areas offer phone numbers where you can call to locate underground lines for checking purposes.
Consider how much sun your garden will receive each day before making plans for planting it. At least six hours of direct sunlight must reach it; full-sun flowers quickly die off in shaded locations while part-sun blooms flourish more vibrantly when exposed to harsh light.
When planting, carefully loosen and cover the roots with the potting soil, lightly pressing around the flower to eliminate gaps. After setting it into place, be sure to water thoroughly the newly planted flower in order to help it settle before following any recommended care for its particular variety. Do not overwater as too much moisture could lead to root rot.
Sunlight
For your flower garden to flourish and appear vibrantly colorful, choose a location where there is ample sunlight. Most blooming plants require at least six hours of direct sun each day in order to produce stunning blooms, while planting it in areas without enough light will stunt its development and lead to withereding blooms.
Before planting, it is essential to clear away any grass or weeds growing in the selected location. If necessary, amend it with compost to improve soil texture and drainage.
When planting flowers, create holes the same size as their roots. Place seeds or push seedlings and bulbs into these holes gently before packing down the soil gently and packing down loose clumps with a trowel. Water your new plantings before sunrise or after sunset so as to prevent rot while helping the flowers absorb moisture; how much you water will depend upon their type and species of flower being planted.
Water
Watering flowers is essential, yet one cannot overdo it. The best place to soak your blooms is in the ground rather than their leaves – this reduces fungal diseases while encouraging root development (via SF Gate). Furthermore, early morning or late day watering should take place since plants that become wet may develop mold when exposed to heat and sunshine.
An effective rule of thumb for planting flowers is to dig a hole that’s approximately as deep as its container. Be sure to take care when unrooting any roots bound plants that could end up failing later on.
Last but not least, it is essential to become familiar with your USDA growing zone in order to select flowers which will thrive in your garden. Perennials offer long-lasting beauty while shrubs add four-season interest – remember that pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds prefer native species over fancy hybrids (via University of Minnesota) because these offer more nutrients needed by pollinators populations.