Flower gardens add color and interest to a garden, whether from long-lasting perennials to quick annual bloomers – there is sure to be something suitable.
Begin by clearing out a site for your new flower garden. Dig up and till in some soil before adding compost for improved soil texture and added nutrients for the flowers.
Location
Finding an ideal location for your flower garden is one of the most critical tasks you can complete. Your ideal site should be sunny with easy access to water; soil should drain freely as poor drainage is the leading cause of flowers dying off prematurely; finally be sure to clear away grass or weeds before planting any seeds!
Once you find an appropriate location, dig over the soil before adding a layer of mulch to discourage weed growth and keep the soil from becoming overly dry.
According to world-renowned Dutch garden designer Piet Oudolf, an excellent tip for beginner gardeners is designing flower beds with shape in mind when creating flower beds. Planting similar shaped flowers creates dynamic combinations while planting differing flower shapes can help define the shape of your garden. Be sure to leave adequate spacing between each bloom when planting as overcrowding can lead to fungal diseases and poor air circulation resulting in health concerns for yourself as well as your guests.
Soil
Your soil choice is of critical importance when planting anything from window boxes and raised garden beds to entire flower gardens. According to Shea, “a good garden starts with healthy, well-draining soil rich in organic matter that drains freely. This soil type is commonly known as sandy loam and available at most garden centers.”
Once you’ve chosen a site for your flower garden, pay close attention to how the sunlight plays across it throughout the day. Full sunlight provides optimal conditions; filtered light may still work for shade-loving perennials like coreopsis and heuchera though.
Once you’ve amassed all the tools and supplies for a flower garden site preparation project, begin by clearing away any grassy areas with a shovel until all grass has been eliminated. Next, dig holes for each of the perennials, seedlings or bulbs you plan on planting–whether perennials, seedlings or bulbs–that you plan on adding. Finally, mix in some bokashi compost into the soil so it has time to settle before adding additional buckets of this organic fertilizer into the mix.
Sunlight
If you want your flower garden to thrive and attract butterflies, birds, and other pollinators, it must be situated in full sun. Select an area in your yard which receives at least six hours of direct sunlight each day and observe how the sunlight moves across it; note if any area receives more or less light than another.
An idyllic garden offers an abundance of flowers perfect for bouquets. A mix of perennials and annuals will ensure that there is always something in bloom; perennials usually bloom once annually while annuals will blossom regularly over summer.
If you want your garden to become bee-, butterfly- and hummingbird-friendly, opt for native flowers as they will adapt more closely to the climate zone in which you reside, require less maintenance and tend to be hardier than exotic varieties. Many native flowers also provide birds with nectar while providing seed sources for squirrels.
Water
An ideal garden bed requires excellent soil, filled with plenty of organic matter such as compost or manure to provide vital nutrients to the ground and mixing well to allow roots to easily absorb moisture.
Next step in planting flowers is selecting plants appropriate to the climate in your region and tending to their sun and water requirements for each variety. Group together similar maintenance needs together – drought-tolerant flowers pair well with drought-resistant ones while perennials with staggered bloom times provide season-long color.
As part of starting a flower garden, keep these key tips in mind: Design your garden with fragrance and movement in mind, placing flowers where breezes can carry their scent both indoors and outdoors. Finally, plant flowers in drifts or blocks so that bees can collect from a single source on each foraging trip – this reduces work for them while keeping your garden tidy!