Step 1: Right Place, Right Plant
Do the plants you’ve picked out need sun, shade, or a combination of both? Start by arranging your plants so they’re in a spot where they’ll get the kind of light they prefer (plants that like the sun should be out in the open, plants that need shade should go in a spot where they’ll have some cover). Full sun is six hours or more of direct sun per day, not necessarily continuously. Part shade typically means four to six hours of sun per day. Shade definitions vary depending on how deep the shade really is. Dappled shade gives a lot more light than deep shade, for example.
Step 2: Dig the Soil
Beautiful flower gardens start with healthy soil. In general, most flowering plants do best in loose and well-drained soil with a lot of organic material. You don’t need to dig a large area to plant flowers, but you should dig enough soil that you can add some compost to improve the soil structure and add nutrients. Avoid digging or handling soil when it’s wet to prevent compaction. Plants need a certain amount of space between soil particles for roots to grow. One test is to dig a small soil sample from a 3-inch hole to see if soil can be worked. Squeeze it into a ball, then toss the soil onto a hard surface such as a rock or pavement. If the soil stays together, it’s too wet for planting, but it’s time to plant if it shatters.
Step 3: Plant Your New Flowers
The steps for planting a flower garden from seeds are slightly different from plants from the nursery. Follow the directions on the seed packet to know how deep to plant each seed and how far apart. With potted garden plants, you should usually plant with the soil at the same level as the soil in the pot, but read the plant tag to be sure. Some flowering plants, such as irises and peonies, prefer their rhizomes and roots to be planted very shallow. When removing the plant from the pot, gently tease some or all of the soil from the roots. Then place the plant into the hole you’ve prepared. Push the soil back into the hole, firming it gently but not packing it down.
Step 4: Water Deeply and Add Mulch
Thoroughly soak the soil around your newly planted flowers. Garden flowers generally need 1 to 2 inches of moisture every week to perform well, so water if you don’t receive enough rain. It’s best to water deeply and less frequently than shallowly and more often to allow the roots of the plants to grow deeper. Avoid keeping soil waterlogged, or the roots of your flowering plants may rot. A layer of mulch, such as shredded bark, around your new plants will help slow down evaporation and reduce how often you need to water.
Step 5: Deadhead and Groom Your Flowers
Feel free to cut flowers for bouquets as your plants begin blooming. Clip off the spent flower heads to encourage the plant to put more energy into its foliage and winter survival. Some flowers, including zinnias, dahlias, and others, bloom again when you remove the blooms. Clip or pull any brown foliage for a cleaner look. Daylilies, in particular, benefit from the removal of old leaves.
