Starting a flower garden is one of the most gratifying hobbies if you have a passion for gardening. But if you lack gardening skills, it can be a challenge to know where to start. Still, it doesn’t have to be complicated, especially when you break down the project into manageable steps. Proper planning will ease the process and ensure you start gardening at your own pace with minimal pressure. 

Within no time, you’ll soon see the rewards of your hard work when you achieve fresh-looking attractive blooms. To guarantee success in gardening, you need a strategy with proper planning. 

8 Factors to Consider Before Starting a Flower Garden

Determine what to plant

Before you start a garden, you must decide the species that can thrive in your space. The possibilities are limitless whether you intend to start a vegetable, herb, or flower garden. However, you need to determine if conditions in your garden are appropriate and can support whatever it is you intend to plant. 

If you desire flowers for their beauty, fragrance, or flair, decide if you want annuals that thrive in sunlight or perennials with a shorter bloom time. Each species, or even a combination, makes a beautiful garden but will have different maintenance needs. Starting small and gaining knowledge along the way is better, so the whole project doesn’t overwhelm you with giving up.  

Select the best spot for your garden 

Most flowering plants require 6-8 hours of sunlight each day. So before going to work, observe your space to determine how much sunlight the area receives. Don’t despair if your garden has shade. That condition is ideal for some flower types. 

Pick a relatively flat terrain for your garden because it is time-consuming, expensive and quite a challenge navigating a sloping garden. But more importantly, there needs to have a water source for your garden. 

Clear the ground 

Once you select the ideal spot, it’s time to clear the ground of any weeds, bushes, or unwanted garbage. Add fertilizer or compost manure for a better outcome. Making your compost manure is easy, whether you’re a gardening beginner or a seasoned expert. Besides, it is an excellent way to recycle waste like grass, dry leaves, vegetable peels, or kitchen waste. Decomposing organic material works to provide a nutrient-rich blend when mixed into the soil. 

Test the soil

Has your soil test been done at your local agricultural research office for a better gardening outcome? With their guidance, you will know which part of the garden to pick, how many samples to choose from, and the ideal time to collect them. Expect a 14-day wait for the findings, which will shed light on the status of your soil. 

Knowing your soil’s nutrient level will guide which steps to take. Suburban soil almost always needs improvement, especially in dense populations where erosion is rampant. Inadequate nutrients and poor soil drainage are the primary deficiencies in the ground.

If you encounter this challenge, add a 2 to 3 layer of compost that includes decayed leaves, grass, or manure to the soil. If you’ve already prepped your flower bed, leave the organic matter on the surface, where it will eventually decompose into organic material. The presence of earthworms will help in mixing humus into the soil. 

Prepare your flower bed

Loosening the soil in new gardens before planting makes it easier for roots to grow and access water and nutrients. You can achieve this by tilling using mechanical means or digging by hand. If your garden is small, digging by hand is a better option. However, for larger spaces, utilize mechanical methods but ensure you don’t overdo it and damage the soil structure. 

Irrespective of the method you use, work on soil moist enough to form a ball in your fist but dry sufficient to disintegrate on releasing it. Digging in the dry ground is hard work, and you may damage the soil structure if the soil is too wet. Once the digging is complete, use a spade to mix the organic matter into the ground. 

Select your plants

Some people browse over catalogs for months while others visit an expert florist and purchase what intrigues them. Either solution works as long as you choose plants conducive to your climate. Choose annuals or perennials that can quickly adapt to your climatic conditions. 

Some flowering plants tolerate cold, while others prefer warm temperatures. Be adventurous and create a flower garden that will make you proud. Many annuals are easier to grow from the seeds. Ensure you read the seed guidelines for information about planting conditions, time, and spacing. 

A more straightforward method of starting your flower garden is to purchase young plants or transplants. Dig holes in your prepared land and remove plants from the container. Place them gently into the hole and pat the soil around the roots. 

Water at appropriate intervals 

Ensure your flower garden receives adequate water, as seedlings should never dry out. Transplants need frequent and consistent watering until their roots become firm.

After that, the frequency of water depends on your soil type, rainfall, and humidity. Clay soil is slower in drying out, so it requires water less frequently. Also, sunny conditions dry soil quicker than excellent, cloudy climates. 

After a successful transplant, watering once a week is appropriate, but there are other factors to consider, such as climatic weather patterns. Analyze the soil 3-4 inches below the surface if you are unsure. If it’s dry, it’s time to water. Water slowly and deeply so that water soaks in without running off to minimize soil erosion and evaporation. 

Protect your flower garden with mulch 

Cover the area with mulch to retain moisture and discourage the growth of weeds. Mulching is beneficial as the sun is not directly hitting the ground while preventing weed seeds from germinating. You also won’t need to water your flower garden frequently. 

There is a wide selection of mulches, including shredded barks, compost, and dried leaves.

Finally, maintain your flower garden

As your blooms sprout, help them reach their full potential by consistently maintaining the flower garden. Pull out weeds before they germinate, water before flowers wilt, and remove dead vegetation.