Flower Gardens bring color and charm to any yard with their bright blooms, whether perennials bloom year after year or annuals give an instant burst of blooms. Beginner gardeners as well as experienced ones alike can benefit from creating one in their yard. Here’s what’s involved when creating one: the basics are similar for both.
Start by choosing a location with adequate sunlight, with loose, well-draining soil that supports optimal plant growth.
Location
If your backyard features plenty of open grass, adding a flower garden is a fantastic way to break up the green space and add color. Before digging begins, map out the shape of your flower bed using stakes and string as boundaries; for a curvier appearance try out different shapes using a hose or long rope until one resonates with you.
Consider how much sun your flowers will receive before selecting perennials to grow. Some perennials require full sun (6 hours or more per day), while others flourish best under part shade conditions. Aim for a combination of sun-loving and shade-loving plants so you’ll have blooms throughout the season.
Once you have your layout complete, plant according to the directions on the seed packet or plant tag. As you dig, work in compost or organic matter into the soil as you dig. Finally, add nutrient-rich mulch as a moisture retainer and to help control weeds.
Soil
No matter whether you are planting flowers for bouquets, cut blooms for vases, or adding texture to your landscape design project, finding suitable soil is key. Flowers flourish best in loose, well-drained, organic matter rich soil.
Once you have identified an area in your yard that receives full or partial sunlight, determine if it receives sufficient sunshine to sustain the plants you intend to cultivate (you can do this easily by reading tags attached to plants or consulting an expert at a nursery).
When selecting the ideal soil mix, try to select a blend that does not contain rocks, decayed wood or human waste. Furthermore, opt for screened soil – dirt that has passed through a sieve so as to eliminate large particles – before excavating and clearing away grassy areas before planting your garden.
Water
Flower gardens add beauty and seasonal vibrancy to any yard year-round. From small beds tucked underneath your home to rows lining your front walkway, planting flower gardens gives any home curb appeal that keeps people coming by! Proper planning and care in keeping a flower garden alive gives the whole neighborhood something to envy.
Consider how much sunlight your garden receives before selecting its location. Dahlias and hydrangeas require 6 or more hours of direct sun each day for proper growth; others like chrysanthemums and zinnias prefer partial shade or partial sun conditions. Soil should also be taken into account, since some varieties require more water to grow and bloom successfully.
An average rule is to provide 1 inch of water weekly during the growing season, although certain plants such as drought-tolerant succulents require less. A well-draining site is crucial, while adding organic material or compost prior to planting can enhance soil water-retaining abilities and help ensure sufficient hydration levels are available for plants.
Pruning
Gardeners know the importance of starting with healthy soil for growing flowers. Soil that is rich in organic matter — such as compost and organic matter — provides for water retention, aeration and maintaining its pH balance more effectively.
As soon as you decide on creating a flower garden, the first step should be identifying which locations will provide optimal conditions for growing the desired blooms in your yard. Take note of any sunlight your garden receives – be it full sun or partial shade areas – as this can impact which species thrive best within each climate zone. It’s also vitally important that you know your USDA growing zone as certain plants only flourish under certain environmental circumstances.
Pruning flowers regularly will encourage their continued blooming throughout the season, such as Steve suggests for butterfly bushes that lose their first set of spikes quickly but through timely pruning (removal as soon as they turn brown) can promote larger and more vibrant second round blooms to bloom again later.