How to create spring flowers

While mother nature plays an important role in creating a spectacular showing of spring flowers, there are several steps that the avid gardener can take to help her out a bit. Autumn preparation goes a long way toward that spring bounty of color.

Some spring blooming flowers such as poppies require an autumn planting schedule. Others, such as cosmos, are susceptible to cold weather and can only be planted after the last average freeze in your area.

One of the first things you should do before acquiring seeds and bulbs is to pick up a copy of The Old Farmers Almanac. While some may scoff at the thought of it, there are many knowledgeable gardeners who will not do any planting without its guidance. It’s an invaluable tool to help reward yourself for all your hard labor.

Garden preparation is the key to a successful planting. Various seeds and bulbs require different approaches to planting. While most bulbs and some seeds require a nutrient-rich soil, others will do well scattered in the most unlikely places, such as along a gravel path or between rocks and stones along the garden’s edge.

Next, you’ll want to start with the freshest seeds and/or bulbs available. Older seeds may still germinate, but the odds are small unless they’ve been properly stored. Depending on your growing zone, mid-September into early October are optimum times for sowing wildflower seeds. These seeds then have enough time to go through the necessary dormancy period and begin the process of visible winter growth.

One of the biggest mistakes made in gardening is planting seeds too deep. This causes the seed to use all of its stored energy just to reach the soil’s surface, resulting in a poor germination success. Pay close attention to seed packets for directions on planting times, depths, and spacing.

Moisture throughout the germination process is vital to your flower garden. For those seeds planted during the autumn phase, consider holding out until right before a rain moves in. It’s a little trick to help give those seeds a needed boost going into the winter months. After that, water carefully, making sure your soil does not become soggy or too dry. With practice, you’ll find a balance.

Light, darkness, and warmth are other factors to consider in your flower garden. Again, seed packet directions will help you out.

Many flower gardeners are quite regimented in their color schemes, careful to plant certain tones of color in certain spots within the garden. Others prefer a more random approach, letting nature run its course. However, a few tips will help get you started.

Plant your taller flowers toward the back of your garden area. This will help create a layered look, allowing you to look over the garden, rather than having to look through taller plants near the front. Red is a powerful color and can be used in several different manners. Mass plantings of red will attract attention from far away. If that’s not your desire, consider mixing cooler tones such as blues and violets to help soften the look.

There are numerous types of irises on the market, with an amazing variety of colors. These are some of the easiest flowers to grow. With decent soil and half-decent weather conditions, you’re almost assured a flower display in the spring time. These are great as accents or mass plantings and, because of their varieties, can increase your combinations in the color scheme.

Iris rhizomes should be planted shallow, at soil surface.  Planting too deep will discourage blooming.  A great benefit of irises in the garden is that they easily multiply, making them the perfect flower to trade off with your friends who might be growing a different color than yours.

Another suggestion for those who don’t have the patience to wait for their planted seeds to bloom is to plant petunias and pansies in late winter, allowing room in your garden design. This will effectively extend your bloom season by several weeks, and take away some of the anxiety as you wait for those poppies, cosmos, and larkspur to strut their stuff.

It’s a personal preference, but to help in your decision making process, thumb through garden magazines and plant reference books for ideas, basing your decisions on what most appeals to you.

A general rule of thumb is that fall planting helps assure flowers for spring. Many factors help stack the odds against the gardener, but with preparation and patience, you’ll be rewarded with a stunning display of fresh spring flowers.