Flowers thrive best in fertile, healthy soil. Choose a location in your yard with at least six hours of direct sunlight each day to plant them in.
Mulching can help control weeds and retain soil moisture for increased plant health, as well as enhance its aesthetic value in any flower garden.
Prepare the Soil
No matter if your flower garden is planted using cuttings, seeds or seedlings – or all three! – to thrive it needs healthy soil. Most flower species prefer loamy soil that drains well while being rich in organic material. Also make sure the area in which you plan to plant receives six hours or more of sunlight as full-sun varieties will die quickly while partial sun varieties could become less than attractive in direct light conditions.
Before planting in heavy or compacted soil, try loosening it using a shovel. Not only will this make planting easier for you but it will also encourage root development of new flowers you plant.
Many gardeners opt to include perennials, annuals and bulbs for year-long color in their landscape design. Perennials bloom in spring while annuals flourish throughout summer and fall. Bulbs planted in fall can fill in after perennial flowers have faded; biennial flowers such as Foxglove require two growing seasons before reaching their full potential.
Plan the Layout
Flower gardens add beauty and boost curb appeal, but can be intimidating for novice gardeners. Before diving in headfirst, take some time to plan the layout of your flower garden so that when it comes time for planting day you can focus on getting those first blooms!
Start with clearly delineated borders. Garden edging or stones can help prevent grass and weeds from overrunning your flower beds, while simultaneously helping you see all of it as you stroll through. Also consider grouping flowers with similar water and sunlight requirements together, making care simpler while decreasing chances of overwatering or underwatering them.
If planting in full sun, mix tall and bushy perennials with shorter plants and ground cover to form an effective combination. Also include some annual flowers for season-long color. When it comes to choosing color combinations, look at the color wheel; plants located next to each other on it such as purple and yellow look great together.
Dig the Bed
Prior to digging, it is essential that you identify and mark any buried utility lines in the area you intend to use for your flower garden. In many areas there is a number that you can call in order to discover underground utility lines.
Before beginning gardening in your region, familiarize yourself with your USDA growing zone to know which flowers will thrive there and any minimum temperatures for your location. Also familiarize yourself with your soil pH levels and basic nutrient contents through local gardening extension programs which may offer soil tests.
Decide the size and layout of your flower bed carefully, keeping in mind recommended spacing of plants you are planting and their intended use in the surrounding landscape. Perhaps a row of low-growing annuals beneath windows, or colorful bouquets flanking an entryway walkway would best meet your needs? While certain plants like azaleas and hydrangeas prefer morning sun with afternoon shade conditions, others like sunflowers or hollyhocks thrive under full sun throughout the day.
Plant the Flowers
Once you’ve amended the soil and created your garden bed, it’s time to plant flowers. Each species of bloom requires different growing conditions; some require full sun while others thrive under partial shade; some thrive best in light sand while others necessitate heavy clay-like soil.
Before you dig, it’s advisable to water the soil so it becomes loose and workable – this will prevent compacted dirt from becoming compacted as you dig, as well as aiding roots with their water absorption needs.
When planting flowers, make sure that the hole is large enough to accommodate each root ball of each one and space out each flower a few inches from one another to allow for proper development without overcrowding and to help retain moisture levels in their growth. This will allow for optimal flower development without becoming overcrowded while helping them retain their vitality and retain water reserves.
Make sure to add general fertilizer when planting flowers, since most species respond best to an NPK fertilizer blend. This will promote healthy roots and a robust plant with abundant blooms.