Flower gardens add beauty and fragrance to any outdoor space. Before digging in the dirt, however, familiarize yourself with your USDA growing zone and learn how to plant the appropriate flowers.
Planting in layers is crucial, depending on the type of flower. Taller ones should go in the back while shorter ones should be closer to the front.
Digging
Flower gardens add beauty and aroma to any landscape, yet can be dauntingly overwhelming for new gardeners. There is such a vast variety of blooming flora to select from; and so much variety in how they combine; it is crucial that you find an arrangement style which speaks to you and focuses on choosing plants suitable for the climate in which you reside.
Before digging begins, select a location for your flower garden that receives at least six hours of direct sunlight per day. Soil type also plays an important role; flowers require rich, well-drained loam or sandy clay soil that drains freely in order to flourish. Dig the area beforehand and enrich with compost before planting!
Once your space is prepared, draw up a plan on paper that will help keep the plants where you want them. A curved line can add visual interest. Finally, work some mulch or manure into the soil in order to improve texture.
When planting, perennial flowers like tulips and daffodils may be the ideal starting point. Not only do these beauties come back each year to bring colour early and late in the season, but their blooms won’t produce as many blooms during summer than annual varieties would do.
Petunias, geraniums and pansies are ideal for quickly filling your flower garden with vibrant hues. But for their best appearance they require regular watering and feeding to stay looking their best.
Leveling
Before planting a flower garden, make sure the surface is level after digging so watering can flow easily and doesn’t pool. Soil that remains damp for prolonged periods can lead to rot and create ideal conditions for unwanted weeds to flourish; additionally, many flower varieties require well-drained soil – therefore adding organic matter might help improve it further.
Before beginning to dig, always check that the area where your flower garden will be constructed is free from buried utility lines. Most areas have numbers to call to locate underground lines; then mark off the garden spot using flags or stakes so as to avoid accidentally digging into pipes or other important features in your yard.
Step two of designing your flower garden involves selecting the flowers to grow there. Consider how you will be using them – for arrangements or crafts? What climate conditions prevail in your region, what blooming throughout summer time there and which pollinators such as bees or butterflies attract pollination?
After selecting the type of flowers you will grow, create a planting map to ensure there is sufficient space for all of them. When planting perennials, be sure to add in annuals as an additional splash of color and to extend bloom time; perennials have limited bloom times compared with annuals or bulbs which bloom throughout summer and fall.
Once your flowers are planted, cover the area with mulch or topsoil to reduce weeds and retain moisture. Water your new flowers regularly – but be aware of overwatering as too much water can lead to root rot and yellow leaves. Consider installing a drip irrigation system for your flower garden that allows you to tailor how much water your flowers receive each time and removes the need to drag around a hose all day!