How to Start Flower Gardens
The colorful blush of vibrant flowers and the sweet wafting of fragrant blossoms are common reasons to start a flower garden. Before you rush out to buy seeds and start planting, realize that although a flower garden seems to possess effortless beauty, it requires hard work and maintenance to create this illusion.
Things You’ll Need:
- Seeds or small potted plants
- Garden hose or sprinkler system
- Decorative boards or rocks
- Plan your garden. You should select an area with enough sunlight, proper drainage, and rich soil. You may have to observe your plot throughout the day to ensure that you have the proper amount of sunlight. Also determine the color scheme for your garden. You can select mix of gold and pink, lavender, and red, or any color scheme that appeals to your aesthetic tastes. Avoid selecting colors that clash with the rest of your landscaping, or choosing too many colors, as this can create a disorderly appearance.
- Rake the plot where you intend to plant your flowers. You may also need to use a shovel or hoe to remove small weeds and other types of unwanted growth. You should also break up any clumps of dirt and remove larger stones.
- Fertilize the soil, if necessary, using fertilizer, peat moss or compost. This is only needed if you have poor soil, such as sand, silt or extremely dry soil. Use a rake to even out the soil when you’re done.
- Raise the beds by digging around the edges and using small boards or rocks to separate the beds. This step is only necessary if your soil has poor drainage; otherwise it’s an aesthetic decision.
- Purchase seeds or small plants in potting soil. Carefully scan plants for any signs of bug infestations or neglect such as holes in the leaves, or withered leaves. Look for plants with upright stems, bright leaves, and colorful flowers. You should look for flowers that grow to similar heights, because otherwise you’ll have a very uneven looking garden.
- Dig a hole as deep as your flowers’ root systems and twice the width using a shovel or trowel. Space the plants according to the directions, using a ruler to measure the distance, if necessary.
- Drop each plant gently into the hole you created for it. Cover the hole with soil, and pat the edges around each plant.
- Water your plants using a sprinkler or house using enough water to moisten the soil, but not enough to create a deluge.