Starting your own flower garden from the ground up can be both exciting and fulfilling, but to ensure long-term enjoyment of flowers and gardens it is essential that certain steps be taken when getting started.
Acquaint yourself with your area’s USDA growing zone to better determine which flowers will thrive in its climate conditions and soil type; then amend if needed.
Location
Location is of vital importance in creating a successful flower garden. It will determine how much sun or shade the garden receives and can even impact soil conditions.
An ideal garden site would include ample sunlight and drainage. Also consider whether annual flowers need replacing every year or perennial flowers that return every season.
Selecting flowers that thrive in your USDA growing zone is of utmost importance. Otherwise, these could succumb to climate changes and die or be compromised over time.
A well-planned flower garden combines different colors and textures, with taller plants in the back, shorter flowers and ground cover in front, defining pathways for easy access and including focal points like decorative trellises or birdbaths in its design. Furthermore, planning year-round color by selecting flowers that bloom throughout the season is also recommended.
Soil
Flower gardens require well-draining soil. When choosing where to locate it, look for at least six hours of sun each day; observe your yard throughout the day to see where the sunlight hits at different times of the day; planting in shade will cause the flowers to wither and die quickly.
An ideal soil for growing flowers is an even mixture of sand, clay and silt – this type of mixture is known as sandy loam. When purchasing bagged soil for gardening purposes, choose one which has been screened so large rocks have been removed to ensure the roots of your flowers can reach nutrients and moisture without becoming constricted or choked out by stones in the mixture.
Before embarking on your flower garden venture, it is important to familiarize yourself with your USDA hardiness zone and average last frost date in your region. This knowledge is critical when selecting which plants to grow at which times of the year. Furthermore, this data will allow you to select whether your garden should include annual or perennial blooms.
Sunlight
An effective garden starts with a plan. Before even touching the dirt, think through your goals and decide on a type of flower garden you wish to grow; are you seeking cut flowers for arrangements, or something low maintenance such as native species?
Once you have identified both your goal and location, take note of how much sun falls upon it to determine whether or not this location will make an ideal site for your garden.
Consider how much water the area receives as well as any drainage issues before planting your garden. If your garden will be located in an area that receives little moisture, consider adding drainage before beginning. Similarly, in sunny spots it’s important that it receives at least six hours of direct sunlight each day in order for its flowers to flourish; otherwise they may die quickly in a shaded location.
Water
Flower gardens add color, fragrance and beauty to any landscape while simultaneously feeding birds, butterflies and hummingbirds. When selecting flowers for a garden, look for native varieties that provide a bee-, butterfly- and hummingbird-friendly habitat; they produce ample pollen and nectar production while needing less water than exotic varieties. Perennials with staggered bloom times or colorful annuals offer continuous floral displays from spring through fall.
Your flower garden should be located in a spot with good drainage or enclosed by raised beds to prevent flooding. Familiarize yourself with your USDA growing zone to determine which plants will flourish in your yard, while even moisture in the soil and slight drying between waterings encourages root growth. When watering flowers use clean, fresh water with added flower food as recommended to maximize absorption while minimizing bacteria buildup; for easy upkeep add flowering shrubs as structure and four-season interest!