How to Grow Flowers in Raised Flower Beds

Growing your flowers in a raised bed is ideal for gardeners with limited space. It's also a great alternative for those who have poor soil since drainage or pooling water can cause big problems for growing plants. Older gardeners who are having a hard time getting down to the ground find higher flower beds to be just what the doctor ordered. Growing beautiful flowers can lift your spirits and give you a sense of accomplishment. This is not a difficult project and can be done by anyone.

Things You'll Need

• Constructed flower bed
• Flower seeds or plants
• Garden hose with a sprayer end
• Landscape fabric
• Dirt
• Top soil
• Compost

Instructions

Grow Flowers in Raised Flower Beds

1. Lay down landscape fabric on the bottom of the raised bed if it does not have a bottom. This will keep the weeds from coming up through the bed.

2. Fill the raised flower bed half full with regular dirt if it is a large bed. Fill smaller beds or the top half of large beds with top soil or flower soil that you purchase at a home and garden center.

3. Mix some compost into the soil. Use a tea compost or one that is not too harsh if you are planting delicate seed flowers. Choose flowers that are compatible with the amount of sun and water they require.

4. Plant seeds and water liberally. Keep the seeds damp until they start to sprout and then water every other day unless it's very hot and dry.

5. Plant bulbs once the seedlings start to sprout. This way the stronger bulb flowers will not hide the seedlings and keep them from getting sun.

6. Plant flowering plants last. Once the seedlings and bulb flowers are tall enough to get sun around any plants, you can plant the flowering plants. Keep the flower garden watered and as they grow they will fill in the entire bed.

7. Add a small amount of new compost to the soil once a month to keep the soil full of nutrients for the flowers.