Anyone can care for a thriving flower garden; although it does take some time and effort. Below are some tips to keep your flower garden happy and healthy.

  1. The Three Necessities: Water, Sunlight and Fertile Soil

Your flower garden must have an adequate supply of water, sunlight, and fertile soil. Any lack of these basic necessities will affect your garden’s health. In terms of watering and sunlight; the best thing to do is follow the plant tag suggestions. During hot and dry cycles it’s okay to water more frequently; but too much water can cause your flowers to rot. It’s best to water at the base of each plant as overhead watering can encourage the spread of diseases. It’s a good thing to add organic matter and fertilizer to your garden yearly; as your flowers as well as earthworms and microbes feed on added organic matter causing reserves to be low for the following year.

  1. Flower Selection

There are four types of flowers: annuals, biennials and perennials and bulbs. Annuals typical grow and bloom for one season. For biennials, the leaves and stems grow the first years and the flowers are produced the second year. Perennials and bulbs bloom and grow for several years. The best thing to do when planting your garden is to mix all four varieties of plants to ensure that something will always be blooming. Also, switching out annuals can add interest and different colors / textures to your garden yearly in front of your backdrop of perennials.

  1. Insects

Most insects are beneficial to your garden; while a few can be detrimental. Insects such as bees and butterflies not only pollinate your flowers but also fertilize them. Concerning the “bad” insects look for clues in the damage they leave behind such as chewed leaves. When choosing an insecticide, choose one that yields the highest pest death rate with the least impact towards the environment and beneficial critters.

  1. Deadheading

Deadheading keeps gardens neat and blooming. It’s the snipping off of the flower head after it wilts, this allows for the possibility of a new flower to grow and bloom.