Create an eye-catching focal point in your yard by planting a flower garden. Perennials provide long-term color while annuals bring instant pop.
Before selecting which flowers to plant, it is important to understand your growing zone and maintenance requirements for each variety of flower. Doing this will prevent overworking yourself.
Review each flower tag to ascertain its sun requirements. Full-sun plants require at least six hours of sun daily and should be planted accordingly.
Plan Your Garden
Starting a flower garden requires planning out its space carefully. Different flowers require specific soil conditions to flourish successfully; therefore you may need to amend your garden bed before planting your flowers.
Strive to include three or odd numbers of one flower type per grouping for an appealing and balanced arrangement, instead of making more symmetrical arrangements with similar blooms. Expert flower garden designers frequently incorporate ornamental grasses and shrubs into their designs, according to landscape designer Sean Hogan of GardenTech(r), adding year-round interest as well as height to beds.
Make sure your garden receives enough sunlight for the kinds of flowers you’re planting. Some blooming species prefer morning sun with afternoon shade; other flowers require full, direct sun all day long for optimal development. You may require installing a trellis or hardscape element in order to help your flowers achieve their potential.
Prepare the Soil
Soil preparation is the cornerstone of success in any flower garden, no matter whether your soils are sandy, silty or clay-rich. Spending some time now will allow your blooms to flourish when spring arrives!
Dig a handful of your soil out and squeeze it between your fingers – does it clump tightly like play sand, or flow freely like water? Simple techniques and the addition of appropriate amendments may make all the difference in this regard.
All soils contain an assortment of mineral particles — primarily sand, silt and clay — each type with their own set of characteristics. Sandy soils feature large particles that allow water and nutrients to move easily through them; on the other hand, clay soils often restrict drainage and air circulation. Most gardeners strive for loam soils which have an equal mixture of particle sizes as well as humus (rich organic material produced when decomposing soil decomposes). Before you plant, get your soil tested for its pH levels as this will affect availability of nutrients; too high a pH could result in deficiencies while too low can even lead to toxic effects on plant growth. Before getting your soil tested it’s important that too high a pH can lead to deficiencies while too low can result in toxic effects on plant growth if left unchecked! Before doing anything, get it tested to see its pH level as affecting availability – either too high a pH can cause deficiencies while too low can result in toxicity for plant life to grow on….
Plant the Flowers
How you plant flowers depends on whether you are using seeds, seedlings or transplanted flower plants. Whatever method you select, each one requires a hole large enough for its root system to flourish and absorb essential nutrients from its surroundings. It is wise to review the planting instructions of any particular plant or flower so you know how deep to dig for each one.
Mix up the height and color of your flowers to create an eye-catching landscape. Consider including shrubs as they offer structure and four-season color. Consider native varieties to support local bees, butterflies and hummingbirds that play key roles in local ecosystems.
Regular watering and fertilization of flowers will encourage their healthy development. Deadhead spent flowers so the plant can focus its energies on producing more blooms; remove brown or dying leaves as soon as they appear; adding a layer of mulch can also help conserve moisture and decrease weeds.
Care for Your Flowers
Flowers attract beneficial insects, making them an effective deterrent against pests, while simultaneously improving soil quality by adding nitrogen, phosphorus and other vital nutrients. Clovers and Phacelia plants serve as green manures while perennial flowering varieties act as weed barriers or groundcover.
Before planting your garden, become acquainted with your USDA Growing Zone and frost dates for your region. This will enable you to determine which plants will thrive best within it.
When preparing to plant, create holes approximately equal in size to either the root ball of a potted plant or seed packets you plan on using. Check with any specific recommendations from their labels regarding depth.
Water your flowers as needed to maintain moist soil, taking care not to overwater the area or cause soil compaction and foliage diseases in your flowers. A soaker hose or drip irrigation system provides water directly to each flower rather than spraying all over.