How to Plan a Perennial Flower Bed

With proper preparation and planning, you can easily plan a perennial flower bed that give you joy for many years to come.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Rototiller
• Landscape Rake
• Wheel Barrow
• Mulch
• Mulch Fork
• Slow Release Fertilizer
• 100' Garden Hose

1. 
   Select flower bed area

   Begin by selecting the area that you would like to use for your perennial flower bed. Try to make it free-flowing and natural looking. If you are new at perennial gardening, try a small area at first, so you don't get overwhelmed.

2. 
   Use hose for layout

   If you are making a free-form flower bed, use your 100' garden hose to lay out the edge of the bed. You can make adjustments to the layout very easily.

3. 
   Spray with Roundup

   If the area of your bed currently includes grass, you will want to carefully spray the entire area with Roundup and wait a few days for the grass and weeds to die.

4. 
   Mark the Edge of your Flower Bed

   Now you can mark the edge of the bed with a can of contractor marking spray. You can also go around the perimeter of the bed with a a straight-bladed shovel and make a straight vertical cut, carefully following the curvature of the hose. The depth of the cut should be 8 to 10", minimum.

5. 
   Till the area well

   Now work the entire area with a rototiller. Start shallow and gradually work deeper to a total depth of about 8 to 10" This will take several times, but the rototiller will help it to go quickly.

6. If the soil is good, rich soil and will support perennial growth, you may only need to add a slow release fertilizer. To have the most successful planting though, you will want to remove 4 - 6" of soil and add 2 - 3" of good compost with fertilizer added. Once you had added your topsoil, till the area again to promote good root growth.

7. 
   Rake and Level Area

   Rake and level the bed with your landscape rake.

8. 
   Place your plants

   Now place your plants partially into the soil and make any final layout changes. If you are irrigating the area, it's recommended that you install your drip irrigation system now (see article on installing drip irrigation in the resource section).

9. 
   Add Mulch

   Fill the entire bed with 4 - 6" of mulch, being very careful around your new plants. Level the mulch and you are finished. Water the entire area well with a hose and let your drip irrigation system take it from there.

Tips & Warnings

• Use a rototiller with rear mounted bladed if you are using a walk-behind.
• Sort through your soil and remove all roots, stones, and other foreign materials before planting.
• Prior to planting plants from containers, loosen the roots around the perimeter of the root balls.

[Susang6]

on 12/27/2008 Great tips on how to design a flower bed.

[SDKP]

on 12/26/2008 I love perennials. They are so little work once you get the garden together!