| Now that spring is here, it's time begin selecting | | | | Step 4 - Design your layout |
| the best plants and flowers for your garden. But | | | | As you are planning your new garden how will |
| before you do, have you ever been guilty of | | | | you organize your plants and flowers? Will you |
| buying plants on impulse only to discover after | | | | group them or will they be random? Grouping |
| planting them they look like the forgotten step | | | | your plants create a sense of organization and |
| child, making your garden look ackward? The goal | | | | can be pleasing to the eye especially with vivid |
| of this article is to teach you how to plan a | | | | colors. On the otherhand, random planting if done |
| backyard garden...right now. | | | | with a natural look can also make your garden |
| Step 1 - Starting with a Solid Plan | | | | look quite beautiful. |
| Take the time to assess your garden | | | | Step 5 - Experiment with your design |
| environment. Determine how much sun and shade | | | | Now that you are ready to begin planting, put |
| your garden gets. What type of soil do you have? | | | | your chosen plants around the garden bed and |
| Is it the well draining type or does it get | | | | step back to see how they will look. Experiment |
| waterlogged easily? Take note whether your | | | | and move them around until you are satisfied. By |
| garden is sheltered or exposed to the sun and | | | | grouping plants in small sets of threes or fives can |
| wind. Now that you have completed your | | | | visually look better than groups of even numbers. |
| homework, it's time to buy the best plants for | | | | Place tall plants towards the back or put them in |
| your situation. | | | | the center if you have a walk way around your |
| Step 2 - Tips at the nursery | | | | garden. |
| Remember shade-loving plants need a sheltered | | | | Step 6 - Picking Your Colors |
| area, plants that love the sun thrive in warm | | | | Select interesting combinations of color and |
| spots, drought-resistant plants can should be | | | | texture of plants. To avoid color clashes, you can |
| located either in sunny or shaded areas and don't | | | | still plant your flowers side-by-side but be sure |
| forget that swamp plants are terrific for the | | | | they have a different blooming season. Another |
| poorly-drained areas of your garden. | | | | important aspect regarding color is that foliage |
| Step 3 - Soil Testing | | | | have colors ranging from silver, grey or purplish |
| I recommend testing your soil first, to determine | | | | and are just as attractive as the flower. Plan |
| the pH level of your soil and what type of | | | | ahead as you will still have attractive plants past |
| nutrients you need to add is a good idea. You | | | | the blooming season. |
| want to find out if the soil is acid or alkaline. There | | | | Finally keep your plants away from trees as their |
| are inexpensive testing kits available and it's not | | | | roots will steal the necessary nutrients and |
| very difficult to do. Most plants prefer soil that is | | | | moisture your flowers need. So with a little |
| slightly acidic, but there are some that must have | | | | planning, plus choosing the best plants and skillfully |
| alkaline soil to grow. You can alter the soil's pH | | | | selecting the right color scheme you will create |
| level, but it's much easier to simply plant for the | | | | your beautiful garden for all to enjoy. |
| soil you have. | | | | |