Flowers thrive best when exposed to full sun. Read the tags on plants or seeds to determine their required exposure levels.
Locate an area for your flower garden and start making plans. Flower beds can range from simple rectangles beneath your front windows to rows of beds lining a driveway walkway.
Soil
An inviting flower garden adds curb appeal and attracts vital pollinators to your home, adding both aesthetic value and essential pollinators. From formal rose gardens below windowsills to beds lining pathways, beginning your project by prepping soil is key.
Flowers should thrive best when planted in rich, loamy soil that drains freely – neither too dense nor overly loose and sandy – that allows roots to spread while simultaneously retaining water and nutrients. If your soil type falls outside this ideal, taking a simple test can help identify what needs to be done to enhance it.
Organic matter such as manure or ground up branches and leaves can help all types of soil thrive by adding plenty of it – rotted manure, ground-up branches and leaves work especially well – it provides nutrients, helps retain moisture levels in the soil, and decreases compaction. Loamy soil may be best treated through rototilling; clay-rich and rocky soils require hand digging first before adding organic matter like compost to it when moist enough; for best results turn your bed once or twice each year to maintain this level of organic material in your bedbed!
Water
Before planting flowers, make sure the area is clear of grass and weeds, and ideally the soil should be easily diggable so the flowers’ roots can easily access nutrients within it. If using a hose or shovel to dig out grass/weeds from the area, wear gloves for your own safety to protect your hands.
Importantly, planting at the appropriate time is also key. Most flowering plants do not do well under temperatures that are either too warm or too cold – it is best to plant in spring after the last frost has subsided.
Make sure your flower bed is accessible to your garden hose so you can water regularly – this is particularly important in the first weeks after planting, when flowers need extra moisture to establish strong roots and avoid drowning out their beauty. Too much water could harm them by drowning them out completely!
Light
Flower gardens add color and warmth to the landscape while simultaneously adding value. Flower gardens can attract beneficial pollinators like bees, butterflies and hummingbirds; choose an area in direct sunlight where most flowers flourish for best results.
Select a spot with at least six hours of sunlight each day; shade-loving plants will perish in full sun while sun lovers could thrive even when growing under cover.
Prior to planting, add organic matter and a balanced fertilizer such as Pennington UltraGreen All Purpose Plant Food 10-10-10 to improve your soil. Do not work the wet soil; doing so harms its structure and decreases its availability of essential nutrients.
Plan the layout of your garden using graph paper or an online program like Better Homes and Gardens’ Flower Bed Planner. Curved lines look more natural while mixing flower heights, sizes and colors as well as foliage adds interest and gives the garden an authentic meadow-like appearance.
Pruning
Establishing a flower garden can be both enjoyable and laborious work. Start small and gradually expand as you gain experience. Choose an area with rich soil that provides easy access to water sources; additionally, drawing up a landscape plan prior to getting started will ensure everything stays organized and straight.
Before beginning to dig, you should prepare the soil by loosening and amending it with well-rotted animal manure or compost to enrich and retain moisture easily. Also, digging holes of appropriate sizes for different kinds of flowers – for seedlings/transplants it’s ideal to select a hole wide enough for their root ball; bulbs require deeper holes so their roots can reach down into them for maximum absorption of nutrients.