 | Dan Longan is the co-owner/operator of Longans Garden Center located on North Broadway in Pittsburg. Longans Garden Center has a wide variety of Christmas Trees, christmas arrangements and decor. For more information email dlongan@sbcglobal.com or shopblossoms@gmail.com. or call 620-704-6008. |
Flowers & Plants
2013-03-25 15:26:43
Where should you plant a flower garden?
Q-I am a beginning gardener and planted my first garden last season. Unfortunately, I spent about $300 and ended up planting in a spot that just did not work, killing off everything I planted. How do I know where to plant?
A-Gardeners save time, energy, and money by gathering information about the types of flowers that will grow best in their garden location. You can find flowers that will grow in just about any location, but every property has a location most suited for successful gardening. April 1st is generally considered the time to start planting cool weather annuals such as petunias and snapdragons as well as most perennials and frost proof vegetable plants. Part of gardening research includes finding the best location for your flower garden, then finding the flowers most suited to that location.
Before buying plants or seeds, or turning over the first shovel of dirt do some investigation. Look at the quality of soil at all of the locations you are considering, as well as the amount of sun and shade. If you choose the best location of your property to grow flowers, then you will most likely never have to relocate your flower bed, or kill off your investment.
Some things to consider when choosing the best location for your flower garden are:
• Sunlight. The amount of sunlight your flowers require differs among species. If you are going to plant roses, then you need to choose a site that gets at least six hours of direct sunlight each day. If you like ferns or Hostas, they require at least 50% shade to grow optimally.
• Soil drainage. Knowing the soil drainage rate is crucial when planting a flower garden. Sandy soil will drain very fast. It will drain very slowly if your dirt is full of clay. The leading cause of death for flowering plants is poor soil drainage. When choosing a location for your flower garden, test the soil before planting and correct any issues.
• Water location. If your water source is inconvenient, you will be less likely to stay on top of proper watering. Save time and energy by choosing a garden site close to a source of water, or else you will find yourself trucking water to the garden by bucket or sprinkler can. If you plan on growing a very large flower garden, you could invest in a water irrigation system.
• Soil quality. Flowers grow best in slightly acidic soil, with a pH within the range of 6.5 to 7.2. Purchase a soil test kit from your garden center and follow the instructions to test your soil. If your findings determine that you need to adjust the pH levels of your soil, add lime to reduce alkaline or add sulfur to reduce acid. Retest your soil in two weeks and then adjust again, if necessary. Add compost to your soil regardless of the pH levels.
Starting a flower garden can be fun and exciting. It can also be a source of frustration if you do not invest some time learning about your location and flower selections. Good luck, and happy gardening!
