Lawn Care Tips for a Lush Garden
Many people plant flower gardens only to have them die out or their growth stunted by weeds. In some cases the flowers are planted to close together for the roots to get the nutrients they need. Here are some tips on growing a lush flower garden to go with your lush lawn.
Clean up any Winter Debris
Although you may rake and pick up your leaves in the fall and think you have it all completed, there is always additional leaves that tend to sneak into your gardens during the winter. You will want to clean up any dead leaves so that sunlight and air can get to the soil. After the last freeze, remove any old mulch and any dead flower material from the previous season.
Weed Control for your Garden
Decide what shape your garden will be and create a barrier by using a shovel to create a trench along the outer edges of your flower bed. You can also place edging materials such as plastic edging or even concrete, decorative blocks around the outer edges as well. Make sure to remove any grass that has already began growing by digging up their root system. This will keep them from growing back and ruining your beautiful flowers.
Preparing the Soil
Work the soil so that you can remove any rocks or other materials that have mysteriously appeared during the summer. You should actually work it to a depth of about one foot. Make sure you don’t disturb any existing flowers that may already be growing unless you intend on replacing them. Work in compost material, leaf mold and peat moss to the tune of five pounds per one hundred square feet of flower bedding. If your soil has little to no drainage, add a little sand or grit to the mixture. This creates better drainage for your flowers so they do not get root rot.
Where to Place your Plants
Draw out your flower bed and label each plant for placement. Make sure to consider the mature size of the plants and space them accordingly. For a round flower bed, you will want the tallest plants in the center and have them graduate in size as you move towards the edges. Make sure to plant flowers that bloom at different times in order to keep a lush garden all season. Choose a variety of colors as well as some foliage to help fill in any gaps.
Planting your Beds
Use your drawing as a blueprint for your flower bed. Position each plant according to your drawing making sure you have allowed for growth. If you are using flats of flowers, dig a hole large enough to spread the roots, add a teaspoon of bone meal and place the plant in the hole. Back fill the hole with the original soil and press firmly on the soil to ensure there are no air pockets. Once the planting is complete, place mulch around the plants on the exposed soil, this will keep the soil moist.
John Smith is an avid garden and lawn care enthusiast. John is also an avid blogger. You can read more of his articles at http://www.earthwise-equipment.com/.
(On Aug 14th, 2009 at 12:38 am)
Thanks for the great tips! Its more helpful.