Flowers add vibrant hues, textures, forms and fragrance to gardens while also drawing beneficial insects that help manage pest populations.
Starting by researching your growing zone and the blooming times of plants you’re interested in, learn their blooming cycles so you can select flower varieties which can tolerate frost while flourishing in your climate.
Choose the Right Location
Your flower garden will flourish best if you select an optimal spot in your yard. Most blooms require at least six hours of direct sunlight each day and should be away from areas likely to be trodden on by foot traffic. Furthermore, make sure the soil meets flower requirements: some prefer loamy or clay-based soils while others thrive better with sandy or silty dirt conditions; conducting a soil test can help identify which amendments you might require for optimal success.
Plan your flower bed 8-12 inches wide depending on the type of blooms you choose, to allow you to easily pass between each bloom without treading on them and allow enough room for their expansion as they grow. When planting seeds/seedlings or bulbs, ensure there are three inches between each individual plant to avoid overcrowding; and allow four inches between bulbs when planting seeds/seedlings/bulbs.
Prepare the Soil
A garden’s type of soil will have an effect on its flowers. Most flower varieties prefer loamy soil that drains well, is neutral or slightly acidic in pH level and drains well, and has loam as the dominant texture. Conducting a soil test will allow you to gain more insight into which kind of environment your blooms thrive in best.
As soon as your soil is ready for planting, prepare it by raking and smoothing it as much as possible to remove debris. Remove large rocks and break up clumps of dirt so as to not obstruct delicate roots of young seedlings.
If your soil is sandy, add compost and ground-up twigs or rotted manure for improved texture. If it is clay-based, coarse sand may help lighten it. To test whether the soil is ready for planting, squeeze a handful and squeeze. If it crumbles when squeezed together it is ready for planting; otherwise it is too wet and needs time to dry out first before it can be planted into.
Plant the Right Flowers
When planting flowers, take great care in handling them carefully. If planting seedlings, allow them to harden off in an enclosed location for several days prior to transplanting into your flower garden. When digging holes for them use a hand cultivator to break up the soil and avoid flattening out their roots.
Be sure to research your USDA Growing Zone before choosing plants that will thrive in your area. Native perennials and shrubs will create the optimal bee, butterfly, and hummingbird-friendly habitat; fancy hybrids may look nicer but don’t produce as much pollen and nectar as their native counterparts do.
Before digging begins, take one last walk around your proposed bed to inspect how it appears from all directions. This will enable you to determine whether it receives full sun or not; and whether a walkway should run through it. When you have decided on its placement, add a layer of compost for proper soil preparation for flowers.
Care for Your Flowers
Planting flower garden plants requires an abundance of water and nutrients for healthy development. Newly planted blooms are especially vulnerable, so make sure the soil remains damp – but not waterlogged – until their roots have taken hold in the soil.
Once you have selected and prepared your location, it is time to plant your flowers. Depending on their species, perennial flowers will return year after year while annuals last only one season before dying off.
Once planted, be sure to add mulch as soon as possible afterward. This will help retain moisture and minimize weeds while simultaneously deadheading spent flowers so the plant can focus its energy on producing new blossoms. Furthermore, consider installing pathways in your flower garden so you can easily tend to and admire its beauty while welcoming visitors who may come.