Establishing a flower garden requires many decisions, from selecting flowers and colors, selecting soil types, watering needs and irrigation to follow through on. Each step needs to be considered to ensure your blooms flourish successfully.
Start by finding an area in your yard where there is full sun exposure; most flowers require at least six hours of direct sunlight per day in order to grow and bloom properly.
Design
Flower garden design can range from the straightforward to the extravagant. Experts suggest creating a plan, which can help determine how you use your space and plan ahead. Sketch out your yard on paper or create an electronic drawing; if you feel uncertain of your planning skills, seeking help from friends may also prove helpful.
Not to worry! Flowers will continue to blossom over time, so be bold in experimenting. Just be sure to adhere to any space requirements listed on each plant label!
Be sure to include taller plants at the back and smaller ones at the front of your bed, with odd numbers like three or five plants clustered together for a more cohesive appearance and to prevent an array of random colors and forms from taking over your garden bed. Also consider arranging them clump-wise rather than linearly for maximum visual impact.
Soil
An effective flower garden begins before any planting takes place – “making the bed.” By creating this environment, plants have all they need for growth.
Choose a site in your yard where you would like your flower garden. Assess its sunlight or shade needs throughout the day – full sun spots are best, although indirect light will work too.
Verify your soil can support the flowers you plan on planting by having it tested, to understand which nutrients it already has and whether any amendments might be necessary.
Prep the soil as soon as all risk of frost has passed and temperatures have become warm enough. Digging flower garden sites helps break up the soil so plant roots can spread and absorb nutrients more easily, then mix in well-rotted manure or compost for extra nutrient absorption and even distribution. Once finished, level out the surface using raking.
Water
Watering regularly will help your flower garden remain lush and healthy. Moisturized soil encourages root absorption of essential nutrients while also decreasing weed growth for an organic look in your garden.
Before you dig, lay out your flower selections according to their spacing requirements for an accurate representation of how your garden will appear when planted. This will enable you to visualize its final form.
When purchasing plants, try to avoid those with holes or sticky leaves as well as those whose root ball has become root bound – otherwise the flower could suffer when brought home.
Most flowers prefer loamy, well-draining soil to thrive in. Before planting, improve it by mixing organic matter and all-purpose fertilizer into the top 6-8 inches of the soil. Avoid working wet soil as this harms its structure and makes it less supportive of plant roots while slowing the process of breaking down organic material; further delaying preparation time for planting.
Fertilize
When planting your flower garden, be sure to select soil with sufficient nutrient content for maximum success. Flowers require many essential elements for blooming and flourishing successfully in soil environments.
Choose a spot with plenty of lighting and at least six hours of direct sunlight, as this will enable you to find plants suitable for your space. If your site is shaded, try shade-loving perennials such as coreopsis and heuchera or sun-tolerant annuals like petunias.
Plan to include a mix of flowers and foliage for year-round interest, arranged according to their care needs. For instance, drought-tolerant plants should be placed near other water-wise blooms while sun-lovers are best left alone. Be sure to fertilize regularly – use slow release fertilizer at planting time, then again 2-3 times throughout summer if applicable for your type of flowers; adding product that fits their specific requirements can save your blooms from becoming damaged over time. And never fertilize dead or wilted blooms as this can damage them further!