How to Start a New Flower Bed

Choose a spot in your yard to plant your flower bed. The spot does not necessarily need to receive ample amounts of sunlight, as there are several plants that thrive in shady areas.

Clear the area from debris. If the area is grassy or weedy, pull out the grass or weeds with your hands. Use a rake to remove rocks or leaves from the area.

Prepare the soil. Use a tiller to turn the soil. Add organic material to the existing soil to ensure it's healthy for the new plantings.

Research which types of plants do best in the area you have chosen for your flower bed -- for instance, full sun, partial shade or full shade. Decide what types of plants you want to use -- perennials, annuals, shrubs and trees.

Make a plan for your flower bed. Map out where you want to plant each item before you begin gardening to save yourself time and aggravation while in the middle of gardening.

Plant the flowers based on the instructions they come with. Different types of plants require different ways of planting to assimilate into their new surroundings.

Surround the new plantings with mulch. Wood chips, pine needles, grass clippings, straw and leaves are all types of organic matter suitable for use as mulch. Not only will these materials help retain moisture for the new plantings, but as they decompose, they provide nutrients for the plants.

Provide the new flower bed with daily water. If conditions are dry, water the area for one to two hours each day, preferably in the morning or evening before the heat of the day sets in; doing so ensures the plants absorb the water and the water does not evaporate.