How to Plant an Annual Flower Garden

Planting a flower garden in the backyard is one of the many joys of home ownership. Deciding what style of flower garden to plant is a different story since there are so many kinds to choose from. If you are a beginning flower gardener, start by planting an annual flower garden which can be less intimidating than a perennial garden. Read on to learn how to plan an annual flower garden.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Spade
• Soil Thermometer
• Flower Pots

Prepare an Annual Flower Garden

1. Prepare the garden bed by digging one spade deep and turning the soil over. Avoid using soil that is too rich or the flowers will have lush leaf growth and minimal flower blooms.

2. Sow hardy annuals as plants or seeds in the spring when the soil is at least 45 degrees F. Warm weather annuals will not germinate in cool conditions.

3. Spread seeds over a large prepared area or plant annual flower plants in rows.

4. Place the annual flower garden in an area with proper sunlight and moisture for the flowers chosen. Sow half-hardy annuals in pots or containers that can be moved indoors if the weather turns chilly.

5. Prepare early annual plants that were started indoors before placing in the prepared garden area. Set the plants outside during the day and bring indoors at night so they get used to the new environment. Garden center annuals should be alright to plant directly outdoors.

6. Choose annual flowers to transplant that have healthy growth, well-developed flower buds, no yellowing of leaves and no leggy stalks.

Plant an Annual Flower Garden

7. Place the annual flowers in other areas of the garden as filler plants since they grow fast and are an inexpensive option.

8. Use annual flowers in the alpine rock garden where perennials are planted until the alpines get established.

9. Plant annual flowers in a garden blend of colors, textures and heights.

10. Cultivate annual flowers like pink alyssum or white candytuft as ground covers for large areas or drive entrances.

11. Sow climbing or trailing flowers such as nasturtiums, morning glories and canary creepers along rock walls, fences and trellises.

12. Choose annual flower plants for window boxes and cut flower gardens. Zinnias and Shasta daisies are annual favorites that come in a rainbow of colors.

13. Plant snapdragons, cornflowers and sweet peas for an annual garden of cutting and drying flower types.

14. Include the many varieties of marigold in the annual flower garden. Marigolds come in many colors, a variety of heights and as single or double blooms. The seeds are easy to harvest and replant the following year.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep fresh seeds for annual flowers in sealed foil packets in a cool environment to make them last longer.
• Treat annual flowers as tender perennial plants that will reseed if cared for properly during winter months.
• Flowers that have an entire life cycle of one year from germination to seed production are known as annuals.