How to Plant Flowers (2024)

FAQs

How to Plant Flowers? ›

Before planting flowers, prepare the garden bed with a spade, working in at least 1-inch of organic matter. The soil should be loosened to a depth of at least 12-inches for annuals and 18-inches for perennials. Smooth the soil with a ground rake. Plant the flowers at the same soil level as they were in the container.

Just loosen the soil by digging or tilling 6 to 8 inches deep with a garden fork. Turn your amendments and organic matter into loosened soil so everything is mixed together. For annual containers, such as window boxes or flowerpots, remove the old soil and throw any non-diseased material in the compost pile.

Flower Spacing Guide for Perennials

Here are general guidelines for spacing perennials: Small perennials – 6 to 12 inches (15 to 30 cm.) Medium perennials – 12 to 18 inches (30 to 46 cm.) Large perennials – 18 to 36 inches (46 to 91 cm.)

Place the shorter plants in the front, medium-sized plants in the middle, and the taller ones in the back. Layering plants this way means that every plant will be visible. Of course, these rules aren't set in stone; you can arrange your garden how you wish!

Place the plant in the hole and plant deep enough that the top of the root ball is about one inch above the surrounding soil. Then, back fill by adding the amended soil around the root ball. As you add soil, press the soil down to collapse any large air pockets in the soil.

In general, plants in borders are arranged with tall plants (taller than 2 to 3 feet) placed in the back, mid-size plants (10 inches to 2 to 3 feet tall) in the middle, and short plants (less than 10 inches) in the front of the bed. It is best to use groupings or drifts of plants for a natural feel.

Generally speaking, spring-flowering bulbs should be planted in the fall (a few weeks before the first frost), while summer-flowering bulbs should be planted in the spring (a few weeks after the last frost).

Can I plant flowers in mulch? ›

When planting flowers in mulch, the most important part is preventing the mulch from mixing into the soil. Move the mulch out of the way before you plant—and give yourself way more room than you think you'll need.

Topsoil For Your Garden

If you're planning on adding a garden to your landscape, fresh topsoil is a must. The best course of action requires you to mix around 3 inches of topsoil into your garden before planting any flowers.

Compost helps sandy soils hold more moisture and nutrients, and it makes clay soils lighter and better drained. Compost also adds trace nutrients needed by plants. Work a two to three inch layer of compost into the soil with a rototiller or shovel at least a month prior to planting.

If you're planning to put in new plantings, be sure to water garden soil first. Of course, if you've had rain, your soil may already be sufficiently moist. Or, if you have an irrigation system, you may not need to water garden soil again before planting.

It grows more leaves and a longer stem or stalk and eventually becomes an adult plant. The major stages of the flower life cycle are the seed, germination, growth, reproduction, pollination, and seed spreading stages.