Flower Gardening–8 Important Tips Concerning Flower Gardening!
Posted on Nov 07, 2009 under Gardening Tips | No Comment
“A thing of beauty is a joy forever!” This proverb must have been invented, keeping flower gardens in mind! True, flower gardening is tough work; yet, it is a well-loved activity that has been in existence for ages!
Think of all the benefits flower gardening can provide! Your yard is a riot of colors, and the intoxicating fragrances from your flowers waft into your entire living space! Not only can you “see” beauty, but you can also “smell” it! You have therefore created a wonderful getaway to escape all your worries–the result is a peaceful state of mind!
The physical activity provides you with plenty of fresh air and exercise, resulting in good health. Also, the value of your property increases because of the magnificent landscape!
There are some considerations to be kept in mind regarding flower gardening–
(1) You could follow the example set by others before you–plan your garden on paper first. This has been attempted by novice and expert alike, and has proved successful. Many have even gone so far as to maintain a gardening notebook, where they have kept track of the flowering plants in their alloted spaces in their gardens, and how they reacted to different conditions and seasons.
(2) Which area have you allocated for flower gardening, if it is outdoors? Outdoor could mean the front yard or back yard. Are you going in for container gardening? Then plan out where they are to be placed–both outdoors and indoors.
(3) Regarding the flowers themselves, you will have to do some investigation first, that is, can they survive and thrive in the environmental setting that you create for them. Wherever they grow, every plant needs a healthy medium. It is your responsibility to promise that to all of your plants!
(4) You have to consider how much of space you can afford to allot to your flowers. Just like humans, some plants do not mind crowds, while others prefer their own private space!
What you need to keep in mind before beginning flower gardening is that there is going to be heavy competition among the plants for resources and nutrition. Keep the flowers at a distance of three to five feet from the boundary or fence. And do not plant them anywhere near, or at the bases of bushes or trees, since the bigger plants will grab all the nutrients and leave little for the smaller ones!
(5) The next thing to consider is, soil. The quality of the soil should be such that it can support the presence of essential nutrients, and allow healthy growth of plants. The plants should be able to get adequate amount of nutrition from the soil. A soil test should reveal its quality.
Should the soil quality not be up to standard, you will need to add things that will improve the quality of the plant medium. These additions are called “amendments”. Fertilizers are also an option. Peat moss aids in retention of water as well as drainage of excess water. But again, you cannot go on modifying and modifying the soil–everything has a limit!
(6) Plants cannot prepare food without adequate light. So check out if the area allocated for your garden will get sufficient sunlight. Even here, you will need to differentiate–while some plants relish direct sunlight, there are others that flourish in the shade. Some plants neither require too much of light nor too much of shade.
On an average, there should be enough sunlight for six hours in the day (some places manage to even receive 12 hours). Plants suitable for all light conditions and shade, are available for flower gardening.
(7) Flowering plants grow everywhere and manage to survive in all kinds of habitats. Over a period of time, they get adapted to their respective dwelling places and the surrounding ecosystem. The same conditions have to be created in your garden if you plan to grow them for yourself. Those plants that are tolerant of harsh conditions find warmth intolerable. Tropical plants, on the other hand, cannot survive in the cold northern climate; they have to be brought indoors whenever conditions become unfavorable.
(8) Now that you have researched all conditions and backgrounds, see what plants are suitable for your garden. The flowers should adjust to the conditions you can provide them, and not the other way round!
There are plenty of plants to choose from for your flower gardening. So do not hunger for those exotic ones that cannot grow in your garden! Since you are a first-timer, go in for simple stuff like violets, petunias, marigolds, etc.
Abhishek Agarwal
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