Content

• Tips
• Warnings

1 Start small. Gardening enthusiasm is great, but it can quickly dry up when there is too much work to do. Start with a small flower garden, say 2.5 square meters, that can accommodate about 20-30 plants. This can be, for example, three types of annual plants and one or two types of perennial plants. You can always increase the area as you gain experience.

• If even 2.5 square meters seems too large for you, make a small floral border or start with a flower garden in a container.Two or three plants, planted in a container of an unusual shape, can have a stunning effect and serve as an example for the future design of a flower garden.

2 If you want, you can make a detailed landscaping plan and prepare planting holes for plants according to the scheme. On the other hand, if you do not know how to draw up a plan on paper or know exactly where and how many plants you want to plant, just implement it directly on the ground.

• A garden hose laid on the ground is one way to mark a smooth curve. If a lawn adjoins the place where you are arranging a flower garden, do not forget to leave room for the mower to pass.

3 Choose a location. Illumination is the main criterion. Six hours of sunshine a day will be optimal for most plant species. Try not to break the flower garden over underground technical communications and retreat at least a meter from the building or fence.

• In hot climates, where the flower garden needs protection from the merciless midday sun, it is best to arrange it on the east side of the building or hedge. It will also provide some protection from the hot, dry wind that usually blows from the west.
• You can grow a flower garden even with 12 hours of full sunshine, but then you need to be more careful about the selection of plants. Choose light-loving species. More frequent watering will also be needed.

4 Choose a location with good soil if possible. Any soil can be improved, but you should still avoid shallow, rocky soils, areas of stagnant water, or steep slopes. Stand at least 6 m away from the largest trees and 1.5 m away from substantial bushes. Trees will compete with the flower garden plants for water and nutrients.

5 Do a soil analysis. This is not necessary, but at the same time it helps to determine what nutrients are lacking in the soil, and, therefore, what fertilizers need to be applied; you will also determine the acidity of the soil (pH value). The local extension office of the Department of Agriculture can help you.

6 Start digging. Once you locate the flower garden and mark the boundaries with a garden hose, remove any sod and grass or weeds that might regrow. Using a shovel or garden fork, completely excavate the area at least 20 cm deep, preferably 30 cm. Remove rocks and other debris.

7 Use a rake to level the area and break up clods of earth. Add a layer of compost or manure - 2-3 cm or more if the soil is poor. If the soil is sandy, add peat moss or cut grass to help the soil retain moisture better. If the soil is too acidic, add lime. Most plants prefer neutral or slightly acidic soil.

• Soil improvers such as compost can be bought in a bag or (in bulk) delivered by truck. Apply a 15 cm layer of soil conditioner to the soil surface at the same time as an all-purpose fertilizer such as "10-20-10".

8 Buy plants or seeds for their intended purpose. Smaller plants are in the foreground. Most plants are planted at the same depth at which they grew. Compact the soil around the planted plants. When placing plants, carefully read the instructions on the label so that you know how much space the plant will take when it grows. With this in mind, it is necessary to leave additional space for the plants.

• Choose plants that bloom at different times to keep your flower bed always blooming.
• If you have few flowers blooming in early spring or late summer, walk around your area and see what is blooming during this time. Buy yourself such flowers and plant them. Do this several times and you will have something blooming almost all year round.

9 Water well. Like a good waiter, a good gardener will first check to see if water is needed.The intensity and frequency of watering depends on the needs of your plants, the climate and the amount of rainfall, as well as the illumination of the area.

10 Prune faded flowers. Many plants will bloom again, but only if the old flowers are cut off. Also, tend to the plants and prune as needed.

Tips

• Annuals are plants that are planted every year. They are usually inexpensive, many have bright flowers, and are a good place for beginners to start growing. In each new season, they must be re-planted or sown. Some annuals are really just "delicate perennials" that are perennials in their native climates but die in colder climates in winter.
• Perennial plants grow in the ground constantly, from year to year. They also require annual maintenance, but they do not need to be planted every year. Perennials may need dividing, grooming, supporting, extra grooming during the winter months, pinching or cutting off old shoots and wilted flowers.
• It is good to plant a variety of perennials that bloom at different times of the year. (Planting only one type of flowering plant will only allow you to admire the flowers for a few weeks a year.) To fill the space between perennials, you can plant annuals. Annuals will brighten up your garden as they are usually brighter and more colorful than perennials, so use both. Annuals also bloom at different times of the year, so take advantage of the variety.
• Regardless of what you plant, you should know what the plant is called. If there are no care recommendations on the label, look online. If you are unable to find the information, you can go through trial and error, but this can be an expensive method of acquiring knowledge.
• Healthy and well-groomed plants are less susceptible to pests and diseases. Preventing illness is easier than curing it. Therefore, do your best to give the plants good soil with the appropriate moisture content, and choose those plants that are appropriate for your climate and flower garden location.
• If you have a diseased plant, it is best to burn it rather than trying to cure it, because it can infect other plants of the same species in your garden. You can also put the plant in a plastic bag, tie it up, and discard it.

Warnings

• Make sure you are willing to put the time and effort you need into your flower garden.