Are you a first-time flower bed owner? Having a beautiful flower bed in your garden can really liven up an otherwise dull outdoor area. It’s an exciting endeavor, but it can also be a bit of a mystery.
You have cheap flower bed ideas, but what’s the best way to maintain them? Keeping your flower garden in a box gorgeous isn’t as hard as you think.
We have a few flower bed maintenance tips for you. Read on to discover how to keep your flowers looking great!
1. Choosing the Right Plants
When selecting plants, keep in mind the size of your flower bed, the climate, the amount of sun or shade, and the amount of water the plants will need. For areas with plenty of sun, cosmos, snapdragons, marigolds, and petunias are all good choices. While for shady spots, impatiens, begonias, and hostas are better options.
Generally, mid-size plants are best for flower beds because they fill up the area and can easily be maintained without overcrowding. Meanwhile, small to mid-size plants work if you use a birdies raised garden bed instead.
Choose plants that bloom at different times so you have splashes of color all season. Consider groundcovers as an additional layer and filler to hide any bare areas or spots where weeds might try to take over.
2. Regular Watering
A general rule of thumb is to give the flower bed 1-2 inches of water per week. This can be done with a sprinkler or by hand watering.
If the soil dries out quickly due to wind, sun, or other factors, then increase the amount of water accordingly. Water the soil directly rather than trying to water the foliage. This will ensure that the plants actually get the water instead of just evaporating off the leaves.
Watering in the early morning when it’s cool will help preserve much-needed moisture and also limit evaporation. Make sure to wet the soil to at least 6-8 inches in the ground.
3. Weeding and Mulching
Weeding should be done regularly, preferably once or twice a week. This will help keep your flower bed free from weeds and other unwanted plants. When weeding, it is important to remove the entire root system, as these can quickly re-grow if left behind.
Mulching should also be applied annually to maintain soil moisture and temperature. Mulch should be applied 2 to 3 inches thick and can be purchased at a local garden center.
4. Deadheading and Pruning
Deadheading is the removal of spent flowers, which can be done with hand tools such as pruners or shears. This encourages healthy regrowth and repetitive blooming in the long term.
Pruning is needed to shape and encourage the growth of desired plants in the flower bed. Annuals can be pruned for rejuvenation, and perennials should be pruned each season to encourage new growth and flowering.
The general rule of thumb for flower bed maintenance is to prune when one-third of the flowers on the shrub have died. For wood and shrubs, pruning is best done in winter or early spring before active growth begins.
Mastering Basic Flower Bed Maintenance
Proper flower bed maintenance is essential to having a beautiful garden. To begin your journey in flower bed maintenance, keep in mind these four essential tips. As you become more comfortable caring for your plants, you can start exploring other advanced plant care techniques like compost planting.
What are you waiting for? Try out these tips today and enjoy a flourishing flower bed for years to come!
