If you want to get into gardening, growing flowers is a great start. These plants bring vibrant color to any garden. Although gardening is not the easiest of tasks, it is a very satisfying and rewarding activity. Choose a location and prepare the soil in the plot properly. You can then buy potted flowers or sow seeds and transplant the flowers into the bed.

Part1          Prepare the ground

Image titled Start a Flower Garden Step 1

 1 Check the sunshine. You may already have a pretty good idea of where you want to grow the                   flowers, but you can't plant just any variety just anywhere because different plants need                           different amounts of light. You can simply observe your garden during the day by looking at it once an hour to see which areas are sunny (those in full sun for at least 6 hours a day) and which are in partial shade [1 ] .

It may be helpful to make a chart for the areas where you want to plant the flowers and write down "full sun" or "partial shade" for each hour of the day.

Don't forget that some maintenance is likely to be required, such as removing spent flowers and dividing the plants. Also remember to space them far enough apart to be able to access them easily.

Build your garden step by step. Start by making a small flower bed (for example, a plot of about 1.5 x 1.5 m, or even less). In a plot of this size, you will have room to plant about twenty to thirty plants comprising about three types of annual flowers and one or two perennials [2] .

Choose a location that is visible. If you plant the flowers in a little hidden corner of the garden, you risk forgetting them and they could die without you knowing it. If you put them somewhere where you'll see them every day, you'll be more likely to think about caring for them properly [3] 



2  Remove the grass. If there is grass in the plot, it is essential to remove it before planting the                flowers so that they have room to grow. Pull it out by digging under its roots with a spade so as to remove all the upper layer of soil [4] .

To reduce your fatigue, you can cover the entire surface of the area with at least five layers of newspaper. Distribute a layer of potting soil mixed with garden soil or compost on the paper. It must be at least 7 or 8 cm thick.

Leave the paper and soil on the ground for about 4 months. The grass will die and the newspaper will decompose and become incorporated into the soil.

3
Labourez la terre. Elle devra être bien meuble et friable lorsque vous planterez les fleurs. Utilisez un râteau pour casser les grosses mottes. Si vous trouvez des pierres, enlevez-les de la parcelle. Égalisez la surface du sol pour qu'elle soit à peu près plane.

  


4    Fertilize the soil. In most gardens, the soil is not ideal for growing flowers. It must be enriched beforehand. The easiest way is simply to incorporate compost, peat or crushed dead leaves into the top layer about fifteen centimeters deep. Most organic materials can be used [5] . You can even use well-composted old manure [6] .

If you can't dig into the soil, you can lay the organic material on it and leave it for a few months. It will eventually incorporate itself naturally into the earth.


5   Make raised beds. If the soil in your garden is difficult to work with, it may be necessary to build a raised bed. This is perfect for gardens with clay or very sandy or stony soil. You can buy a kit from a garden center to build a raised bed and then fill it with soil [7] .



1 Choose varieties.

  When thinking about what you will grow, consider the amount of sunlight in the area you have prepared. If it is often in the shade, choose shade-loving flowers. Also think about how much work you are willing to do in the garden. You can grow perennials that regrow on their own every year but don't bloom as much as annuals or you can plant annuals that need to be sown every year but bloom more profusely and for longer [8] .

Make sure the flowers you want to grow are suitable for your climate. You can view a climate zone map online or inquire at a garden center in your area.

Among the perennials, you can plant varieties such as day lilies (or day lilies), pansies, irises, Byzantium ears (or rabbit ears), rudbeckias, Russian sage or even roses. . If you want to plant annual flowers, try varieties like zinnias, marigolds, cosmos or sunflowers. If you wish, you can very well use a mixture of perennials and annuals.


2   Buy seeds or seedlings. If you want to plant flowers easily, you can simply buy them from a garden center, greenhouse or market. Look for vigorous plants with lots of leaves. If you prefer to sow them yourself, buy seeds from a garden center or order them online [9]















3
Look for pots. If you want to sow seeds, you can start cultivation easily with a seedling tray, which is made up of small individual cells for each seedling. Plants should be grown separately to prevent their roots from becoming entangled. If you don't have a seed tray, you can use small individual pots or even a cardboard egg carton. Just make sure the container has holes in the bottom for the water to drain [10] .
Some biodegradable containers are made to be buried with the plants when you transplant them into the ground.



4
Prepare the growing medium. Fill the pots with seedling substrate. This growing medium contains no soil at all and is well drained. In addition, it does not contain any weeds that could grow. You can also use potting soil, but it may not be as effective [11] .




5
Wait for the right moment. Sow the seeds indoors 2 or 3 weeks before the last frost. The exact date depends on each variety. Usually this information is listed on the seed packet. Otherwise, you can search for it online. You can usually sow 2 or 3 weeks before the last frost, but be careful not to do it too early or the seedlings may outgrow the containers before you can transplant them outside [12] .



6
Sow the seeds. Put one in each compartment. Follow the instructions on the packet. In general, only one seed should be put in each individual container. Bury the seeds to a depth that is four times their width. This means that the smaller they are, the closer they should be to the surface. Tall ones can be planted a little deeper [13] .
Label the seeds and keep the growing medium moist to help them grow.


7
Warm the containers. Find a warm, well-lit place. A windowsill is not ideal, as the temperature can fluctuate between hot during the day and cold at night. Instead, look for a warm place away from drafts. You can absolutely use a horticultural lamp to bring light to the seedlings somewhere in the house [14] .
It may help to use a heat mat made specifically for seeds. It is placed under the containers and helps the growing medium to stay warm so as to promote plant growth.
If you use a horticultural lamp, remember not to leave it on all the time. Only turn it on for 12-16 hours a day.
















1
Fertilize the soil. When preparing the plot for planting the flowers, apply slow-release fertilizer, tilling the soil as you go to incorporate the product. Consult the fertilizer instructions for the amount to use [15]



2
Wait for the right period. Transplant the flowers outdoors after the last frost. This is the last date in the spring when it is cold enough to freeze. If you plant the flowers before, they will die. Ask at a garden center or local weather service to get an idea of the date of the last frost in your area for that year [16] .









3
Dig holes. Take the flowers out of the pots and gently untangle their roots. Dig holes just big enough to bury the root mass of each plant along with the clinging soil [17] .




4
Plant the flowers. Put their roots in the holes you just dug. Then fill the holes with soil. Use enough so that its surface is level with the soil that was already on the roots. Tamp it down gently and water the soil thoroughly after you've planted everything [18] .
Find out about the varieties you have chosen to know how to space them. In general, the spacing depends on the size that the adult plants reach.




5
Water as needed. When transplanting flowers in the garden, you should start by watering them at least every 2 days. Then, water them as needed depending on the conditions in your home. If you see the flowers wilting during the day or if the weather has been dry, water the plants [19] .





Advice

  • It is advisable to plant a collection of different perennials that bloom at different times of the year.
  • In general, plants that are vigorous and well cared for are more resistant to disease and pests than those that are in poor condition. Either way, prevention is better than cure! Do your best to ensure that the flowers grow in suitable soil and receive the necessary amount of water. Choose varieties adapted to your climate and the level of sunshine in the bed