An attractive flower garden adds vibrancy and beauty to any landscape. From annuals, perennials and bulbs – there are several key steps you should follow to help your garden bloom successfully.
Start by clearing out an area in your yard where you would like your flower bed to reside, removing all grass or weeds, and amending its soil with rich compost.
Location
Selecting an ideal site is of critical importance in successful flower gardening. Consider how much sunlight the area receives before reading up on plant or seed labels that indicate which flowers thrive there.
Your soil’s quality is also key to its success as an indoor garden. Avoiding sand or clay that may impede plant growth is important, and many garden centers sell soil tests that allow you to assess pH levels and other aspects that could impact its success are available from these centers.
Plant your flower garden near a water source so you can easily keep its plants well hydrated as they develop. This is particularly important in regions with limited rainfall; watering regularly in between rainstorms will ensure your flowers receive adequate nourishment. You could install a hose tap near flower beds or use an irrigation system as needed to accomplish this task.
Soil
Most flowers thrive in loose, loamy soil that drains well; however, the type of soil required varies by flower: for instance tulips require sandy, well-draining soil while rhododendrons flourish best in acidic environments and lavender thrives best with alkaline conditions. Before planning your garden in existing soil, first conduct tests to ascertain its composition and nutrient levels.
Professional soil analysis will give you a detailed report of what’s in your soil, including if there are too much or too few of certain nutrients. If necessary, amend it with organic matter or fertilizer as required.
Digging is key when planting flowers; any large rocks or debris should be cleared from the surface, while any clumps of soil should be broken up into pea-sized pieces so their roots can spread and access nutrients more readily. If planting in a flower bed, make sure its shape is marked so you can easily find different blooms without tripping over or blocking someone else’s view.
Planting
Once you’ve located an ideal site for your flower garden, prepare it by clearing away grass and weeds to make space for planting. Incorporate plenty of compost into the bed in order to enrich its soil for your blooms.
Before beginning to plant flowers, take note of their light needs. While most species need full sun, some varieties like dahlias and tulips thrive under shade in either morning or evening conditions.
Before beginning any digging projects, check with the local public service line company to identify any underground utility lines buried near your area of excavation and make an inventory list of their location to avoid damaging pipes or your new flower garden.
Weeding your garden should be an ongoing task. Pull away unsightly weeds as soon as you spot them and cut back perennial flowers after their bloom has faded to keep the space tidy. Be sure to deadhead any blooms that start looking unsightly before they drain nutrients from the soil; this will promote new growth and lengthen their life span.
Care
Cared-for flower gardens should remain beautiful throughout the season. At minimum, regular watering is needed while any weeds must be eliminated. Mulching can help further prevent weed growth while simultaneously maintaining moisture in the soil.
Another aspect to keep in mind when designing a garden is how much sunlight or shade the area receives. You should choose plants that thrive under these conditions and pay special attention to how high or low flowering plants stand in beds; placing tall plants toward the back while short ones front of them may help avoid overcrowding issues.
Color should also be an important consideration when choosing flowers for your garden. Plants close together on the color wheel, such as pink and yellow hues, are particularly pleasing. Furthermore, consider using foliage to add extra depth and dimension once your blooms have died back down.