May is here and it is the perfect time to plant a perfect a Flower Garden to enjoy all Summer long!
Don't have room for a full garden at home? This is some great advice for making your own window box garden!
While Fall is a good time to plant longer growing plants like trees, small bushes, bulbs and some perennials, Spring is a perfect time to get started on a flower garden!
Here are a few steps to get you started:
1. Pick a Spot
Most flowers need about 6 hours a day of sunlight, so first you need to find a spot with plenty of room for them to grow. You also want to make sure it is not a spot with lots of water run off (that is to say, at the top of a hill with nothing holding the soil) so that the seeds or soil do not wash away when it rains! If you only have spots that are in direct sunlight all day, some of these flowering plants might do well!
If you only have land on a hill, a ledge or garden edging can be helpful to plan while you are designing the spot.
Large gardens are beautiful, but if you are starting off for the first time, pick a smaller spot so that you don't overwhelm yourself. They are easy to do, but take some work. So a spot about 25 - 30 square feet is good for a beginner!
Make sure you are at least 3' from a house or fence, 20' from a large tree or 5' from a sizable bush, so you don't risk digging into any vital roots, and so your flowers have room to grow.
2. Clear The Ground
This is where you roll your sleeves up and get your hands dirty! If the area is already cleared of grass and weeds, you can skip this step. If not, you need to get digging - pull up the weeds and any plants growing that you did not want as part of your garden. This includes grass. Make sure to wear gloves if you are doing it by hand and watch out for ants getting on you.
Remove all pieces of grass or weeds or anything that might start to grow again. Using a spade or small gardening fork, turn the dirt at least eight inches deep, up to a foot if you can. Remove any rocks or small items you dig up.
3. Prepare To Plant
Check with your local Department of Agriculture and treat your soil as needed. You might need to add compost or packaged soil to fill in the ground as needed. Some soils need to be pH balanced. Find out what is best for the soil where you live.
4. Plant Your Flowers
If you are starting from seeds, be sure to water regularly. If you are planting grown plants or seedlings, be sure to leave enough room to fill in some dirt on top of the roots once planted. Follow instructions carefully on seed and plant packaging and be sure to space your plants with enough room for them all to get sunshine and to have room to grow.
5. Enjoy Your Flower Garden!
Watch your lovely flowers grow! Be sure to cut them back or support them as needed as they get bigger. Remember that many flowering plants will re-flower if the finished blooms are cut off. Trim them back for several set of flowers per plant. Make sure they get plenty of water and enjoy!
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Bridget is the proud Owner of Flower Designs by Bridget, bringing European Certification and 20 years experience to Pinellas County, Florida, where she lives with her husband (Air Force, Ret.) and two children. When she is not in her shop, you will find her enjoying a cup of Roiboos tea with her family and several cats and dogs (including one named Daisy). While the holiday greens and decorations of December are her favorite, she looks forward to bringing you sunshine and smiles through flowers all year round!
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