Establishing a flower garden may sound like a daunting task and initially labor intensive but reaping what you have sown is a balm to the soul. Gardening is about more than soil and seedlings…this rite of spring is a tonic to the gardener as well.
For the newcomers to flower gardening, distinguishing your plant hardiness zone is the place to begin. This way you will have a head start in knowing what plants should do well for your locations. The USDA plant hardiness zone map is one of the most widely referenced zone maps in the country.
Bed location is of prime importance. This will greatly impact the variety of plants for your bed. Location could be full sun, part sun or full shade. Most plant containers have recommendations for planting locations. Seek advice on plant selection prior to spending a great deal of money on the “wrong plants”.
Decide what kind of flowers you prefer. Do you want things that are tall or short? Moisture loving or drought tolerant? Any particular favorite colors? Annuals or perennials? Annuals last only one growing season. Perennials self-seed and flower again in the next growing season. How big are the areas you’re trying to fill in? Are there other things already planted that these flowers need to coordinate (or at least not clash) with? Do you like more a neat formal garden, or do you like a wild cottage style? Try to choose plants that offer color and interest throughout the growing season and even winter. Spectacular blooms grab our attention but don’t ignore the rest of the plant in your planning. Many plants have foliage that adds color and interesting visual textures to the garden. Gardening magazines are an excellent way to help decide what appeals to you.
Starting seeds indoors is an inexpensive and rewarding endeavor. For your first experience starting seeds, it’s wise not to take on too much. Start a couple of plants in three or four varieties while you learn how it works. A few super easy plants to start are: morning glory, marigold, sweet alyssum and zinnias. Different plants have different needs so consult the seed packet to find out how many weeks each variety will take to get ready indoors before your last frost date.
To enhance your flower gardens’ beauty and make it easier to maintain, garden edges and borders are very important. These edges and borders are used as boundaries between the garden and paths, lawns, and various landscaping features such as ponds and adjacent garden beds. It is best to implement borders of your bed before you create it. Use a garden hose to mark the edge of your bed before you create it. Leave it in place for a few days to give you time to work around it, view it from different angles while envisioning the plants, and adjusting the boundary.
Cultivate the soil in the flower bed by turning it over with a fork, a shovel or a rototiller. Tilling the soil breaks it up and prepares it for planting. Till the earth at least one-foot down into the soil, removing additional rocks and debris along the way. Add lots of organic matter. Try using compost, dehydrated cow manure and shredded leaves. If your yard happens to be blessed with fertile soil, adding organic matter is less crucial but most soils can stand improvement. Mix well with native soil, 50-50 or more. Plants whose roots can penetrate into the deep layers of the soil have the best chance for success. They can find water and nutrients in less than ideal conditions, especially after they are established. Plants in good soil, with additional help of mulch, can take care of themselves with minimal attention from you.