Growing the best flowers in town

Every gardener wants to grow the most perfect, most beautiful flowers in town, but that goal is to be elusive. Whether your goal is to win the best bloom award at the big flower show or just to enjoy a garden full of beautiful flowers, there are some steps you can take to make sure your garden is the best it can be. Pay attention to chemistry The chemistry of the soil is one of the most critical factors to the success, or lack of success, in the home garden. If the soil in your area is poor, chances are you will be unable to grow those beautiful blooms until the soil has been amended to provide the nutrition the plants need. One mistake many gardeners make is to assume that the soil chemistry will be the same all over their property. It is important to have each part of your property you plan to use for flower growing tested, especially if the areas are far apart. This can be particularly important if part of your property lies on a downhill slope, or if it has been used for other purposes in the past. It is also important to take into consideration such things as the slope of the land and the type of soil in your area. A thorough soil analysis will give you a good baseline to go by and a great way to monitor the quality of the land as your garden grows. Know what your plants require Chances are you already have some plants in mind for your new garden, and if so it is important to understand what those plants need in order to thrive. While most common varieties of annuals, perennials and bulbs will grow in a wide range of conditions, some other varieties can be a bit more demanding. If you plan to grow roses in your garden, for instance, it is a good idea to know the pH level of your soil, and amend it if necessary. Most roses are acid loving plants, and therefore they may not grow properly in soil that is very alkaline. The good news is that alkaline soil can often be brought into balance by adding a good quality humus and working it through the soil. If the humus alone is not sufficient, the addition of sulfur to the soil can often help turn the soil more acidic. Watch the nutrition The nutrients contained within the soil are also vital to the success of your garden. For instance, if the levels of phosphorus, nitrogen and other organic matter is not high enough, your plants may not get the nutrition they need to grow and bloom. Nutrients can be added to poor soil through the use of humus, or by using a good, high quality organic fertilizer. You can see why soil chemistry is such an important first step toward growing the perfect garden. Growing the best flowers in town is a worthy goal. Be sure your soil is up to the task.