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How to Plant a Flower Garden

HOW TO START: Take time to plan. Sketch out your garden. Include the size, shape, and location. Look at the spot. Is the area sunny, shady, or a little bit of both? Watch it during the day to see how much or when the sun hits this spot.(Impatiens, coleus, dusty miller, pansies, and begonias are a few annuals that do well in
shade. Petunias, zinnias, and marigold, are a few varieties that grow best in full sun.)

CHOOSE THE RIGHT FLOWERS: Before you decide which flowers you might like, do your homework. Look in seed catalogs, garden books, and the Internet for information on the growing conditions needed for various varieties. Flower shows, greenhouses, and garden centers also offer good advice.

CONSIDER COLORS: Do you want the flowers to accent your house colors, or
attract hummingbirds and butterflies, or are you interested in a theme such as red,
white, and blue?

KNOW YOUR GROWING SEASON: Keep in mind the length of your growing season
and the last frost dates. Learn as much as you can before you plant the seeds or
transplants.

HOW?: Once you learn which types of flowers will grow in your location and decide
which ones you’d like to plant, you can start designing the bed. Start small rather than
large at first especially if you’re a beginner. You’ll need to outline the shape of your
flower garden. A good way to do this is to use a garden hose. Then edge the area with
a spade so you can see the borders. Till the inside area until the soil is all mixed up
and there are no weeds or large rocks. Mix the soil with organic material such as compost
or manure. You may want to test the pH of your soil. This will reveal its acidity
and alkalinity. Most annuals do well in a level of 6.5. You can buy a tester and do this
yourself, or you can take a sample to an extension service in your community.

GENERAL RULES FOR PLANTING: Keep tall plants in the back, medium in the
middle, and short in the front. • Plant as directed on labels, taking note of spacing.
Don’t plant annuals too close together or they may become crowded and not
grow. • Keep it simple. • Water, weed, and feed your garden throughout the season.
• Pinch off the deadheads (flowers that are past their beauty). This will
encourage more blooming. • Use your imagination.