How to Prepare a New Flowerbed for Planting

One of my greatest joys is preparing to fill a brand new flowerbed. After the digging and removing of all the grass, putting in the borders, rocks for drainage and a good thick layer of soil one would think all that could possibly be left is to stick plants in the dirt.
But in reality there are several different steps that you can take to prepare your flowerbed for plants that will make them grow better and healthier.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• egg shells
• coffee grounds
• compost/fertilizer
• water
• rake

1. Mix compost or fertilizer with the soil. Work this addition in with your hands and rake smooth. This provides the nutrients that the plants will need and will help them grow strong and healthy.

2. Collect the egg shells for a few weeks before you will be using them. Wash them and place them in a paper bag to keep them dry. To use the egg shells roll the top of the bag so that it is closed, and crush the egg shells with a rolling pin. Then sprinkle them all over the new flowerbed. Egg shells not only provide calcium to the soil and therefore the roots of your plants, but they also deter slugs and other creepy crawlies from your flowers by scratching them.

3. If you have compost you probably already save your coffee grounds, but for a few weeks before you prepare your flowerbed don't add the grounds to the compost pile. Just spread them out to dry. Before you start sticking plants in the ground mix the coffee grounds in with the soil and egg shells. Rake this mixture around and spread it evenly. The caffeine in the coffee grounds repels many insects that would eat your flowers, and the grounds themselves will break down and enrich your soil as the plants grow. Coffee grounds can also be used as mulch when you put the plants in the ground because they are great for retaining moisture. I usually place grounds around the base of my flowers and then mulch the flowerbed. Coffee grounds can be added anytime to the flowerbed and will soak in and make the soil rich and healthy for the plants.

4. Water the whole flowerbed thoroughly several times over the next 2 days, then allow it to sit for 24 hours. This helps to spread the nutrients of the compost throughout the soil. After 24 hours rake the flower bed again, stirring everything together then raking it smooth. Now you are ready to plant.

Resources

• eHow Home and Garden Topic Guide

[kamirusma]

on 6/22/2009 Good tips!