Each flower requires specific combinations of soil type, sun/shade exposure, temperature and pH levels in order to grow and flourish successfully. When selecting your site for planting flowers, select those which offer ideal growing conditions for their desired species.
Make sure it is easy to water, with a nearby hose or garden spigot, remove grass, and add landscape edging as necessary.
Choose the Right Location
Beautiful flowers require regular watering and consistent nutrients in both traditional garden beds and containers for best results. When selecting flowering plants for your flower garden design project, take into account their maintenance needs – such as light levels, soil type and pH balance, year-round interest and bloom time – before selecting your plants. Experienced garden designers incorporate perennials with staggered bloom times alongside colorful annuals to provide year-round color.
Start your flower garden in an area near a water source that’s easily accessible with gardening tools or a hose, clearing away grass and weeds as needed and determining how much sunlight the area receives; your new flowers should receive at least six hours of direct sun every day; it is also helpful to familiarize yourself with your USDA growing zone, first frost dates, harvest times and harvest dates, as this will inform when to plant and harvest. Trellises, arbors or any hardscape elements such as fences can further add interest and add aesthetic value to your new garden design scheme!
Prepare the Soil
Remarkable flower gardens require careful planning. You must consider many elements such as location and soil type when cultivating them successfully.
Flowers that require full sunlight require at least six or more hours of exposure per day to thrive, which means if your garden is shaded by buildings or large trees it won’t receive enough light to bloom properly.
Plant your garden where watering it will be easier. This will prevent it from becoming thirsty, withering, or becoming infected by pests.
Be familiar with your soil type and pH (the measurement that measures acidic or alkaline conditions of the soil). A basic soil test costs just $10; once this information is in hand, you’ll know which plants thrive best in it.
Plant the Right Flowers
Your choice of flowers will dictate their care needs. Check information provided in seed packets or tags attached to transplants or larger container plants regarding height, planting time and spacing as well as sun/shade exposure requirements and frost dates or hardiness zones before making your selections.
Most flowers require full or partial sun in order to thrive, and planting in an inappropriate site could result in burning flower buds or leggy plants. It is wise to observe your garden space during a typical day and take note of which areas receive more or less light.
Perennial flowers that bloom at various times and annuals that provide color throughout the season create a well-balanced garden, while shrubs with fruit, fall color or twisty shapes provide four-season interest. Repetition of key flowers or shapes adds continuity and creates a sense of calm.
Keep Your Pets Out
Dogs can quickly ruin all the hard work you put into creating a flower garden, especially if they enjoy digging and chewing on its plants. Luckily, there are several methods you can employ to keep them out and ensure your efforts don’t go to waste.
One simple solution to protecting your flower beds from pets is installing a fence around them. There are various styles designed specifically to keep pets away from certain areas and some fences can even be made tall enough that dogs won’t simply push over or jump over them.
Barrier plants such as tall, thick or thorny barrier plants should also help deter your dog as they won’t want to get caught up in them and may decide not to come near the flower bed altogether. You could also try purchasing repellent products specifically made to deter pets from gardens and spray them onto the soil around your flowerbed so it becomes uncomfortable for your pet.