| Hi, I'm a new guy at the whole gardening thing and I would like to know, when is the best time to plant new flowers? (bulbs) and also shrubs. My girlfriend and I are making plans for our flower garden this year and niether of us have planted flowers before, so we want to do it the right way the first time. |
| Spring is one of the best times to plant new things. That's when weather is cool but not cold and rainfall is abundant, both of which will help new plants become established before they begin to grow. You didn't mention what part of the country you're living in so I can't give you an estimated date for the average last frost, but the rule of thumb is to plant annuals and perennials outdoors about 2 weeks after the last frost date. You can begin by preparing the soil prior to planting. Choose the garden spot and spread 4-5" of organic matter over the top, then dig it in to a depth of 6-8". Level the area and then plant. The organic matter will improve the soil retention ability of the soil and make it easier to dig when planting. Once your plants are in, you can mulch over the bare soil to help suppress weeds and slow water evaporation. Choose plants adapted to growing in either sun or shade, depending upon the exposure your new flower bed will receive. Hope this informatio is helpful and you have a stunning flower garden this year! |
