Have you ever planted flowers in your lawn area? If not, here’s the thing. A lawn dotted with annual
wildflowers is a sight to behold. Even more so when you live in a suburban area. Not just that, but
flowers attract butterflies and birds, and who doesn’t love seeing those in a garden?
So, if your outdoor space is looking dull, here are some useful tips on how to plant flowers to brighten
up your home.
How to plant flowers
Have you ever planted flowers in your lawn area? If not, here’s the thing. A lawn dotted with annual
wildflowers is a sight to behold. Even more so when you live in a suburban area. Not just that, but
flowers attract butterflies and birds, and who doesn’t love seeing those in a garden?
Wild vs. exotic flowers
What kind of flowers do you want to cascade your manicured lawn? If you wish to have wildflowers, then
your work is much easier. You can decide to stop mowing your lawn. Then, be on the lookout for those
wildflowers sprouting all over.
Or, you may choose to overseed your garden with assorted wildflower seeds. Better still, bring in some
plug plants. You know those seedlings you get in a tray from your local garden store?
But what if you want to create your statement with your choice of flowers? Then, start removing some of
your lawn grass to create space for some choice flowers.
Pick an ideal location
Confirm the soil texture and drainage levels so you know what you’re working with. Use a jar with
water to drain the soil and observe its water retention capacity. How much silt do you have settling
at the bottom after five minutes of pouring the soil? Soil with at least 75% sand content will need
lots of watering.
Prepare the soil
The best approach on how to plant flowers in your lawn starts with preparing the soil. You want
to make sure that the ground has all the right nutrients to nourish your new plants for seasons
to come.
The soil test
Not every homeowner has an abundant garden loam in his yard, so the soil test results will show
if your soil is lacking in a vital nutrient. You may add some organic matter to nourish it, or
if your land is too sticky, bring in some gravel or sandy soil to loosen it.
As you pick the flowers you want, ensure the earth’s PH can support their growth. That is, if
your soil is too acidic, add some ground limestone to raise the PH. In contrast, a little
cottonseed meal, compost, or sulfur will lower the PH for alkaline soils. Use a home test kit to
determine and correct the soil PH.
Finally, confirm the soil texture and drainage levels. Use a jar with water to drain the soil
and observe its water retention capacity. How much silt do you have settling at the bottom after
five minutes of pouring the soil? Soil with at least 75% sand content will need lots of
watering.
Wait for the favorable season
As a rule of thumb, aim at planting your flowers in spring, at least two weeks after frost. This
way, you can be in time for the flowers to blossom in due season. Although keep in mind that
some flowers will stay dormant, awaiting the hot summer season to sprout. If you’re still not
sure how to plant flowers in time for their seasons, you can find lots of information in a
farmer’s almanac. Usually, anytime between February and July is a safe planting season. Transfer
your seedlings to the ground at night when the temperature is cold.
Planting tips
Are you planting your flowers from seeds? If so, then dig holes of at least a quarter-inch deep.
But if you want to transplant a seedling, the hole should accommodate the length of the roots.
Add several tablespoons of fertilizer to the bottom of the hole. Use your fingers to mix it up
with the soil.
If you used pots for your seedlings, first water the seedlings to loosen the soil. Next, break
the lump with your fingers before transplanting the seedlings. Now transfer the seedlings or the
seeds into the respective holes. Use your fingers to cover any open spaces with soil after
transplanting.
Flower maintenance tips
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Always check on the soil to ensure that your flower plants have ample moisture at all times. Is the
first inch of the soil dry? Then, it is time to water your flowers.
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Be careful not to clog your flower plants with too much water. Indeed, an overwatered plant develops
fungi on the roots. Plus, you may have to remove the plant and maintain it separately until it
recovers. In contrast, plants adapt and recover from drought-like conditions when you forget to
water them.
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Most house flowers can do well without fertilizer. So, unless you know what you’re doing, it’s a
good idea to skip fertilizing your flowers.
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Avoid planting your flowers in areas with fluctuating temperatures. Such conditions will shock your
buds. Not all flowers recover from these extremes.
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When you want quick results, opt for smaller plants that blossom faster. Such plants stabilize to
their surroundings much more quickly.
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Do regular pruning on your flowers.
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If you want flower plants to adapt quickly to your yard, try and replicate its natural habitat by
researching the origin of the flower plants. Where is their native home? Which other plants do well
alongside those plants? Do you need to mulch the soil?
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Practice deadheading. That is, cut off any dead flowers to stimulate more buds to sprout.
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Be careful not to plant aggressive flower plants. They can choke and cover your other healthy
plants. Plus, the roots may spread and deny your other plants their vital nutrients. If you must
plant such flowers, trim the roots to leave only one or two roots spreading vertically down. Also,
prune the leaves and stems to create ample space for light to penetrate.
Conclusion
Finally, arrange your flowers to create a focal point in your outdoors. At this focal point, use a
ceramic or metal vase with an artistic appeal to make your flowers stand out. Then, develop some
cascades around the vessel. Or, add a birdbath to replace the new stillness with happy chirpings of
birds at sunrise and sunset.