• Flower gardens add color and life to the landscape.FLOWER GARDEN image by brelsbil from Fotolia.com
  
  Homeowners and landscapers turn to flowers to brighten up their property and add a sense of life and color to their surroundings. While growing flowers may be a popular pastime, it is not a simple project for a beginner. Having a plan and making proper preparations for planting your garden can lead to success and help avoid expensive and disappointing mistakes.
  
  

Fact Finding

• The first step in your endeavor to plant a flower garden should be fact gathering. Even the best gardeners cannot make tropical plants grow in the snow; it is important to know what plants perform well in your climate. Consult local garden centers, nurseries or extension services for recommendations about plants that can thrive in your garden. If you have particular flowers in mind that you would like to grow, find out if they can flourish in your area.
  
  Consult the Arbor Day Foundation’s Hardiness Zone map for details. This map breaks the United States into 10 zones, designated by average minimum temperatures. Some plants will only grow in certain zones, so find your zone and choose your plants accordingly.
  
  

Soil Preparation

• Just as temperature can make a difference in a plant’s growing ability, so can soil type. Soils can be acidic or alkaline, draining or clay and a variety of degrees in between. Determine the type of soil your chosen flowers need to thrive. Garden centers, nurseries and extension services can supply you with soil tests that will give you the information you need regarding acidity level, minerals and drainage. These tests generally involve taking samples of soil from multiple areas of your garden. Make any needed soil adjustments to your garden plot before planting to avoid flower die-off or frustrating lack of growth. Mix in organic material, such as manure or compost, to create a soil that drains well. Add lime to make an acidic soil more basic, or sulfur to adjust an alkaline soil.
  
  

Location

• Plan the placement of your flowers in the garden before you plant. Learn the light requirements for each flower. Lay out the design so that taller flowers do not block light from shorter ones, and so that flowers that need longer sun exposure avoid the shadows as the sun sets. Your garden area should not be completely covered by an awning, canopy or spreads of large trees, as they block rain and light. Remember, just like us, plants need food and water to survive. They get water from the rain and energy to conduct photosynthesis, producing food, from the sun.
  
  

Follow Instructions

• Each of your flower seeds will come with instructions regarding planting. The proper planting depth and spacing of the seeds can make a big difference between well-blooming beauty and disappointing results. Seeds must be planted properly to receive water, heat, light and nutrients. Follow instructions, and don’t be afraid to ask for expert help if you have any questions.