
	Intro: Before you begin Step 1: Choose your site Step 2: Lay the perimeter and prepare the soil Step 3: Buy your plants, seeds, and bulbs Step 4: Plant your flowers Step 5: Water, weed, and watch







	Rootball: A loose ball made up of a plant's roots and the dirt clumped around them


	Spread mulch over the soil where you have newly planted flowers. Not only will it make the flower bed look more tidy, but it will also help prevent evaporation and erosion, and will improve your soil condition. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) of bonemeal in the planting hole to stimulate new root growth. Also, time-released fertilizers are a convenient way to make sure young plants get fed. Before transplanting seedlings to the garden, leave them outdoors for a few hours a day for 3 or 4 days so they'll get used to the sun, wind, and temperature conditions of your yard. This will make their transition less stressful.

2torial #0970:
Learn2 Make a Flower Bed (continued)

Plant your flowers

No matter what flowers you choose, your planting technique will basically be the same. Your aim is to secure the plant firmly in the soil and provide nutrients and water to nurture growth.

Before removing any seedlings or plants from their containers, place them on the soil as you're planning to arrange them. This way you can be sure you're happy with your layout, and that you have enough space for your plants. Be sure to allow enough room not only for the plant's size now, but also for its estimated growth, which should be marked on the label. You don't want to crowd your flowers, or they won't grow properly.

For each plant:

Dig a hole that's approximately twice as wide as the rootball, and at least as deep.
Roughen the sides of the hole with your trowel to encourage root penetration.
Tap the side of the flower container to loosen the rootball. Place your fingers on the soil surrounding the stem and gently turn the plant upside down. With the other hand, pull or push the container off the rootball.
Once the plant is out of the container, gently loosen the soil around the roots with your fingers. This will give the plant air space, which will encourage its roots to grow.
Set the plant in the hole, so the base of its stem is sitting at the same level as the ground and it's standing straight and upright. Spread the roots out at the bottom of the hole.
Fill the hole with dirt.
Water the newly planted seedlings well but don't saturate them.

If you're planting bulbs, dig a hole that's three times the diameter of the bulb, place the bulb in the hole, then cover with soil and water. Small bulbs should be covered with 1 to 2 inches (3 to 5 centimeters) of soil, while large bulbs should be planted 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 centimeters) deep.

Step 5