Notes

Ten Flower Gardenings That Really Make Your Life Better
Flower Gardening Basics

Gardening with flowers can be a rewarding pastime. It keeps the body and mind active. It's also a wonderful method to share your love of nature and to connect with the outdoors with family and friends.

Before beginning to plant, prepare the soil by getting rid of any weeds, and then loosening the ground. Apply a layer to keep soil moisture and keep weeds out.

Design

A well-designed garden can be the center of a landscape and bring its owners a lot of satisfaction. It could also be a project for socializing which encourages interactions between families and friends as they tend to the beds. The garden's design can enhance the architectural style of a house or create a harmonious environment to its location and surroundings.

The garden should be a "delicate addition to the house," and where circumstances allow, situated before windows with a southern or southeastern aspect. This type of ornamental garden must be planned meticulously and carefully, since neatness is its primary characteristic.

According to treatise writers of the time, a garden for flowers must not be overcrowded and it should offer a variety in both form and color. It is recommended to place it around the base of a tree or structure. This will provide nourishment and protect the plants, as well as creating a pleasing visual impact.

The flowers in a flower garden must be placed in a way that their beauty is apparent and the arrangement of beds generally is symmetrical. However, when a more artistic effect is desired, the figures may be formed circular or oblong, and with their alleys two feet wide, will produce a stunning result. A rectangular or square layout with the figures surrounded by boxes will look very nice.

Piet Oudolf, a renowned Dutch garden designer, suggests that repetition is the key to designing flower gardens. Planting flowers in odd-numbered groups- like three or five of the same type of flower -- will help to avoid a haphazard appearance and will create more interesting color and form combinations. The flowers you repeat are best perennials with a long season and a succession of flowers.

Soil

The soil you plant your flowers in is a vital nutrient-water-air provider. The soil you select can determine the success or failure of your garden.

Most flowering plants require a soil which is rich and drains well. This type of soil is called loam. The ideal loam is a mixture of silt, sand and clay. It is also important to have plenty of organic matter, like organic compost and shredded leaves. This improves the soil's structure by making it more loose and fluffy. Organic matter also helps retain nutrient-rich water in the soil for the plants to absorb.

When selecting a soil to purchase, look for one that is free of rocks and other debris. If you are purchasing soil, ask your seller to show you a sample of the actual material they are selling you. They should be able to provide you with screened soil that has been tested for chemical contamination. If they cannot, find another source.

Before you begin digging, make sure to check whether there are any underground utility lines in your yard. The local government should have a number to call that will inform you the location of these lines. You do not want to damage these lines while you are adding or amending your soil.

When it comes to the soil for your flowers, you can take the natural route with products like EarthGro Organic Garden Soil. This organic soil has the OMRI seal. It contains no synthetic chemicals, fertilizers or pesticides. It is a great all-around soil that can be used to amend native gardens and is suitable for planting flowers, vegetables, fruits and herbs. It is made of a blend of processed forest products, peat, sphagnum peat moss, compost and worm castings, as well as an organic slow-release fertilizer containing 0.09% nitrogen and an agent for wetting. It comes in 1.5 cubic feet bags.

Water

Getting the appropriate amount of water for your flower beds is crucial. When liquid evaporates, it transforms into a gas called water vapor, which then journeys back up into the sky to eventually turn into rain (via SF Gate). Your flowers should receive an inch of moisture per week. The method used to do this, however, is dependent on the type of soil. Draining soils drain quickly, twice per week. A sandy or loamy type of soil is treated with watering once every 10 days.

The number of flowers you plant in a garden will determine how often it needs to be watered. The top couple of inches of the soil will dry out between waterings. However the root area needs to be kept moist. Over-watering isn't a good idea for plants either and over-watering the soil can cause fungal problems.

After the flowers have been planted, it is important to observe the surrounding of your garden for any possible diseases or pests. It is possible to cover the soil with compost or shredded leaf to keep weeds from growing or help in pulling existing weeds. This will also help keep the soil's nutrients.

It is a great activity to enjoy with your family. It allows to socialize, teaches kids about science and nature, and encourages bonding between family members. Gardening can also be a great exercise, stretching the body and improving mental health. It also helps to encourage conversations between generations, since older gardeners can learn from watching kids play with plants. It's a great method to teach children to take responsibility for their outdoor space and to learn from their mistakes.

Fertilization


Just like humans, flowers need certain nutrients to be able to properly grow and bloom. These are referred to as macronutrients and include nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium. Your flowers won't appear as healthy and could have less petals or a weaker stem without these macronutrients. Regular fertilization will ensure that your flowers receive all of the nutrition they need to thrive. This can be done in the garden or in planters however, it's essential to follow the instructions on the product you're using.

There are raised garden beds for flower fertilizers, including slow-release granular formulas that are mixed into the soil, spikes you insert into the ground or a planter, and water-soluble liquids to add to your watering bottle. A lot of these are also available in organic varieties, which are a good alternative if you prefer. If you decide to go with an organic option though ensure that it's certified as organic by the Organic Materials Review Institute before buying.

If you are using any type fertilizer for your flowers, be sure that you water the plants thoroughly prior to. This will allow the plants to absorb the nutrients and not lose them through their roots or leaves. Don't fertilize a flower that is dry or stressed. This could cause the plant to get burned. These types of fertilizers should be applied in spring or when you are planting, and then several times throughout the summer.

Pruning

Many flower garden plants grow stronger and produce more blooms if they are pruned at certain times during the year. This includes the removal of dead stems, crossing branches, water sprouts (vigorous upright growth on trunks or side branches), suckers (vigorous shoots that emerge near ground level from rootstock) and reducing the overall height of the plant. Pruning is always recommended to enhance the appearance of the garden, however caution should be taken not to cut off too much. Some plants, such as crape myrtles and roses benefit from being left to form naturally, and can be pruned to shape or control size only after blooming.

When pruning flowers, gardeners must be aware that many spring blooming shrubs, including lilac, forsythia and rhododendron bloom on wood that was formed during the previous year. These shrubs should only be cut back after they have finished blooming, which is usually in late spring or early summer. This will ensure that there is no disruption to their spring flowers. This will encourage vigorous summertime growth and ensure that there are plenty of flower buds to enjoy the next year.

In addition to improving the appearance of the garden, pruning can also help control pests and disease. When pruning roses, as an example, it's important to use sharp shears. Avoid cutting too close to the bush's base, which can expose it to infections. Spraying new growth with copper-based sprays such as lime sulfur or Fungus Fighter can help control pests, diseases, sap-sucking insects and other insects.

The work and physical exertion associated with tending a flower garden is a rewarding task that offers the opportunity to connect and socialize with friends and family. Gardeners often refer to it as one of their most enjoyable activities, and treatise writers like Fessenden have proclaimed it to be an activity that is relaxing and healthy.

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