Preparing Proper Soil
Good soil is the key to growing healthy and vibrant flowers
and should be the first thing you tend to when planning a new garden. You must make sure you soil has the right mixture of PH and nutrients before planting. It is important to check the soil in different areas of the garden as well as revisit it each year as chemistry can change from area to area and year to year.
While soil chemistry is important no matter what types of plants or flowers you grow, it is particularly critical when it comes to working with bulbs, perennials or other plants that remain in the ground for than one season. The reason is that the chemistry of the soil can change from year to year. Therefore, if a formerly well blooming patch of the garden is looking a bit haggard, the first place to look is at the condition of the soil. Erosion, overuse of pesticides and fertilizers and a number of other factors can impact the quality of the soil, so it is important to test the soil if you suspect a problem.
Whenever you plan to start a new flower bed, have that soil tested. Even if you have already had soil from another part of your yard tested, the makeup can be different due to past use or chemical residue in that area.
It is a good idea to have a thorough soil analysis done prior to planting a bed of flowers. Most major cities have several laboratories that do soil testing, so be sure to contact such a lab to have the soil analyzed for pH level, and for levels of important plant nutrients. If you are unsure where to get the soil tested, be sure to ask the staff at your local nursery or garden center for a recommendation.
Once you know the status of the soil, you can take action to bring it up to a level that is suitable for your flowers and plants. Once you know the pH level, the level of organic material in the soil, the amount of clay, amount of sand, etc., you will be able to choose the right additives to provide your plants with what they need to thrive.
Although most flowers will tolerate a wide range of PH, some plants can be sensitive to the PH level in your soil. If your pH range is outside the norm, or if it needs to be amended, there are a number of ways to accomplish this goal. For instance, limestone can be used to make acidic soil more alkaline, while sulfur is often used to make very alkaline soil more acidic. A pH level that is out of balance can also be helped by adding humus. This rich soil can be created at home by using a compost bin, or it can be purchased ready made from a garden center or nursery.
Once you get your flower bed up to the level you want it, you will have a baseline that you can use to compare future years soil testing with. This will allow you to track the chemical changes of the soil each year and take steps to amend as needed. The more information you have about your soil, the better equipped you will be to control it and be able to produce a lush and thriving garden.
More Gardening Tips:
Hot Climate Annuals
Annuals add splashes of color to your garden all year long,
but you must choose plants that are suited to your climate in order to have lush thriving flowers.
Starting Your Annuals Off Properly
Annuals are among the most popular plants with gardeners everywhere and are much loved for their hardiness, color and variety. In order to get vibrant annuals in your garden you need to make sure you start them out properly.
How To Plant Annuals For Perfect Flowers
Annuals provide season long color to your garden and can be started from seed or purchased pre-grown from your local garden center.
Pest Control For Perennials
Perennials are great to have in the garden because they bloom season after season. This continuous blooming makes them special but also insure the need to be vigilant about garden pests.
How Insects Help Gardens
You might think of insects as garden pests, but may insects and birds play a vital role in pollinating plants and distributing seeds for new plant growth. In fact, without these animal and insect helpers, most plants would be unable to reproduce.
About Daffodils and Tulips
Bulbs are popular in gardens for their ability to bloom season after season, and perhaps the most popular bulbs of all are daffodils and tulips.
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