byronreese
By Jenn Mercer
Making a Flower Bed
Flower bed designs can be as varied as the flowers themselves. Raised flower beds can bring contrast to an open space and unique edging give definition to the area. Planning a flower bed can be a simple process with the right tools.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/coymelancon/
By Jenn Mercer
OverviewHave you been coveting your neighbor’s zinnias or wistfully eyeing flats of annuals at the garden store? Why wait any longer? Planting flowers can provide beauty to you and your neighbors, but more importantly there is always something new to enjoy–the opening bud of a new rose, fresh growth after a careful pruning, even the constant fight against weeds. Creating a flower bed is simple and well worth the work involved.Step 1Plan the location and size of your flower bed. Make a note of how much sun is available; this information will be crucial for choosing plants later.Step 2Decide whether you would like a formal or informal flower bed. Formal beds have regular forms, while informal gardens have more irregular contours.Step 3Shape your flower bed according to your preferences. A garden hose can be used to make free form shapes, while formal gardens can be formed by marking angles with twine tied to stakes.Step 4Dig out the edges of your flower bed with a shovel. Remove all existing grass and other plants.Step 5Add a blend of compost and topsoil to the existing soil. This is also the easiest time to add soaker hoses or drip irrigation.Step 6Edge your garden with wood, bricks, stone, short fencing or use plants such as day lilies or monkey grass to form a living border.Step 7Select a mix of perennials and annuals which are suited for your local conditions and the amount of sun which your new flower bed will receive.Step 8Plant perennials and taller plants towards the back and annuals towards the front where they can be swapped out easily at the end of the season.skill2ingredientShovel
Compost
Topsoil
Border edging (optional)
Soaker hoses or drip irrigation (optional)
Flowering plantsingredientsShovelingredientsCompostingredientsTopsoilingredientsBorder edging (optional)ingredientsSoaker hoses or drip irrigation (optional)ingredientsFlowering plantskeywordflower bed garden gardening plantkeywordsflowerkeywordsbedkeywordsgardenkeywordsgardeningkeywordsplantResourcesreferenceBetter Homes & Gardens: Building a Garden Without DiggingreferenceYardener: Building a Flower Bed
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