Flower Gardening and Planting

Tools

• It takes more than a spade to start a garden, so take stock of your toolshed and determine what you are missing. The digging spade may be your best friend throughout this process, but you also need tools like a hoe and a rake to till and loosen the soil. Twine or string is useful for plotting out your garden and separating types of flowers -- use it with garden stakes to establish a grid as you plant. If you plan to set up an automatic irrigation system, you will need a sprinkler. If not, a good old-fashioned watering can is sufficient.

Location

• Designing the size, shape and location of your flower garden affects not only its aesthetic value but also its potential for growth. If this is your first garden, stick to a simple size and shape -- a rectangular bed of no more than 100 square feet is plenty. If you are more advanced, you might try curved edge plots or island beds that sit in the middle of a yard. Pay attention to where water irrigates in your yard so you do not plant in an area where standing water collects after a rainfall. Avoid planting on slopes or around trees, as this can make it difficult for your plants to thrive.

Planting

• When planting your flowers, consider how they will look when they grow and bloom. Plant shorter flowers in the front of the bed, for example, so they aren't dwarfed or obscured by taller ones. Also consider the space around the flowers to ensure maximum visibility. Use buildings and fences as backgrounds against which colorful flowers like lilacs contrast and pop. Choose flowers that bloom at different times throughout the year to ensure that your garden is never barren.

Mulching

• Your work isn't done when the seeds are in the ground -- flower gardens require regular maintenance. Mulching the ground after your flowers sprout up protects them from weeds. It also insulates them from the heat, which causes stress on the roots, so add a 2- to 3-inch layer of mulch. If using fertilizer, use a time-release product that slowly fertilizes the soil instead of releasing all of its chemicals at once. Water your flowers during times of drought -- the amount of water you use depends on the flower, though, so research your plants before spraying down the garden with a hose.