Success of any flower garden depends on several key components, with location being paramount. Find an area in your yard where six to eight hours of direct sunlight per day can be received for optimal success.
Research your USDA growing zone and become acquainted with its frost dates; flowers planted outside this zone will not flourish as expected.
Know Your Zone
Your USDA Growing Zone dictates which flowers can flourish in your yard. While there are online resources for identifying planting zones, independent garden centers or nurseries are an invaluable source for finding out which varieties work well in your region and recommend varieties which won’t be destroyed by frost or don’t grow at the proper height.
Keep in mind that flowering plants require full sun to thrive, so choose your location wisely. Additionally, learn what type of soil exists (clay, sand, silt or loam) as well as its acidic or alkaline pH level before selecting plants to grow in it.
Consider that your flower bed is part of the overall landscape and should blend seamlessly into its surroundings. To do this, use curvier lines over straight ones in your garden design for maximum visual interest and movement.
Plan Your Garden
Flower gardens add beauty and scent to any home landscape, yet can be challenging for beginner gardeners. By following these straightforward steps, you can start cultivating beautiful blooms this season and enjoy them for longer.
Establish your USDA growing zone to understand which plants can flourish in your area and when. Also helpful is knowledge of your region’s first and last frost dates as this can indicate when to plant and cover flowers.
Prepare the soil before planting by loosening and adding compost and organic material, such as manure, for better drainage and nutrients. Most flowers prefer full sunlight so seek an area in your yard which receives at least six hours of direct sun each day.
When choosing the types of flowers to put into your garden, try selecting both perennials and annuals. While perennials will remain colorful throughout spring and summer months, annuals will provide additional pops of color in your landscape.
Choose Your Plants
Flower gardens require various degrees of care depending on the plants and environmental factors; however, there are some tasks which must be accomplished regularly to maintain optimal conditions. At minimum, it’s necessary to water flowers regularly, remove weeds, and dead blooms; some species such as hydrangeas require regular pruning as well.
Before planting flowers in your soil, test to ensure it meets the requirements for each type of bloom you wish to grow – for instance rhododendrons require acidic soil with an ideal pH value below 7. For instance, these flower types thrive best in well-draining, acidic conditions.
Before purchasing plants, be sure to read carefully through your seed or plant packet to identify size at maturity and spacing requirements, which transplants and perennials should also provide. Color combinations are an integral component of flower gardening; familiarizing yourself with a color wheel may prove helpful; colors that sit next to each other (such as red and yellow ) look beautiful together while those across from each other ( such as purple and yellow ) offer contrast and add interest.
Start Small
Flower gardens should be placed in an area with rich and healthy soil that receives direct sunlight throughout the day, such as a sunny spot with six or more hours of direct sun each day. Clay or sandy areas may make flower growth difficult, requiring additional watering needs. When planting full sun flowers it should be placed where there will be at least six hours of direct sun each day for best results.
Garden boundaries should be clearly demarcated with fencing or garden edging that prevents grass and weeds from growing, while adding visual interest and creating a sense of enclosure.
Once your garden is ready to be planted, prepare by digging holes deep enough for each flower and root. Once in place, rake the ground level before placing plants in their holes; use compost or organic matter as mulching materials to help retain moisture, improve soil texture and nourish plants.