How to Plant a Stunning Flower Garden

Learn what it takes to plant a beautiful well rounded perennial garden that will come back each year.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Topsoil
• Peat Moss
• Shovel
• Garden Trowel
• Perennial Fertilizer
• Mulch
• Landscape Fiber (optional)
• Water Can

1. The first step in planning a successful flower bed is to determine the area that the bed will encompass and how big the area might be. A couple of ways to do this is to either take flags and flag out the area or use a can of marking spray paint to make your boundaries.

2. After determining the size of your project, determine how much sun that the area will get throughout the day. This is important in figuring out what perennial flowers to plant. The type of soil is also important when picking out your plants at the nursery. A good idea might be to take a soil sample with you to your local nursery to have an expert take a look at your soil type.

3. Next the hardest part of the project is to prepare your flower bed. Depending on what is existing might determine how difficult this may be. I personally suggest if you have a large area, to use a rototiller to make the job easier. If you have any concern that your area may contain underground utilities, always call to have the area flagged out before hand. This service is usually done at no charge.

4. When going to the nursery some of the important things to remember when picking out your plants is the soil type and amount of sun/shade and spacing that the plants will need. I personally like to incorporate ornamental grasses into my beds to give the bed some personality. My favorite is the maiden zebra grass.

5. After picking out our plants it is important to lay out your plants in the bed to make sure that it gives you the look that you desire. Take some time doing this, its always easier in my opinion to plant once and be happy, than to dig plants back up later to make it the way that you want it.

6. Next, the best and most rewarding part of the project. Using your soil, fertilizer, peat moss and yard tools start to dig the holes at least twice the size of the container. Fill in mixture of topsoil and peat moss in the bottom of the hole with a pinch of perennial fertilizer to give your plants the extra help to grow strong roots. Fill in around the plant and make sure that enough soil is pushed down around the whole root system.

7. Continue to plant your new plants and water each plant through for a least a couple of weeks until the plants have a chance to develop their root system. Fill in your bed with mulch and enjoy your labor of love!!