“A garden to walk in and immensity to dream in--what more could he ask?” - Edith Wharton

Hey there,

This is Louis Green at Greentown Farms and Greentown Flower Patch talking about setting up flower beds today!

If you are a new flower gardener, I am about to give you some great information.  If you are a seasoned flower gardener… do your thing.  Happy gardening!

A quick note about our farm: we are raising money to pay for a new high tunnel to extend our season.  Please check out our merch that will help cover these costs!

 So, let's talk about planning your flower bed:

• Size and Shape: Consider the available space and what you want the flower bed to achieve. Sketch out some ideas to visualize the layout.

• Sun Exposure: Different flowers have different sunlight requirements. Pay attention to how much sun the area gets throughout the day.

• Design Principles: Think about incorporating elements like color, texture, and height variation for visual interest. Taller plants in the back, shorter ones in the front.

Note: If you still aren’t sure what to grow, check out the wildflower mixes that I use from SeedsNow. 

Preparing the bed:

• Clear the area: Remove weeds, grass, and debris to minimize competition for nutrients and space.

• Soil prep: Loosen the top layer of soil to promote root growth and drainage. Amend the soil with compost or other organic matter to improve fertility. You can test your soil to determine if specific nutrients are needed.

• Define the edges: Edging with stones, bricks, or wood will give your flower bed a finished look and help prevent grass from creeping in.

Planting:

• Choose your flowers: Select flowers that thrive in your climate and lighting conditions. Consider bloom times for continuous color throughout the season. Check out the flower choices from SeedsNow. 

• Planting arrangement: Refer back to your design plan and space the plants according to their mature size.

• Watering: Water your plants regularly, especially during the first few weeks after planting.
  

Maintaining your flower bed:

• Weeding: Regularly remove weeds to prevent them from stealing water and nutrients from your flowers.

• Mulching: Apply a layer of mulch around your plants to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature.

• Deadheading: Remove spent flowers to encourage continued blooming.

I love a good bouquet on the table.  With a little planning and effort, you can create a beautiful flower bed that will add life and color to your outdoor space and provide a source for beautiful flowers on your table all summer long. Happy gardening!

Thank you for coming by!

See ya later,

Louis

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