Flowers for Summer   | |||||
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Planting flowers for summer is a rewarding activity that adds color and interest to your yard but there are various things to consider when planning a summer garden, including preparation of the soil, which are the flowers in Australia flowers to choose and what to do to keep the garden healthy and looking beautiful. Begin preparing for the garden in the spring after the possibility of frost is gone by tilling the soil, removing weeds by the roots and fertilizing. Fertilization should be continued throughout the first month after planting, following the directions on the package carefully and avoiding getting the fertilizer on any parts of the plants that are above ground. The plants should be watered every other day, use mulch to cover the beds so the moisture will be contained and avoid over feeding the plants. Also, you may see better results from purchasing ready to plant flowers as opposed to seeds. Be aware of the light exposure to the different areas of the garden, as some flowers do well in direct sunlight, some in partial and still others in complete shade. Some of the flowers that are good for direct sunlight include zinnias, petunias, hollyhocks and lantana. Flowers that do well in partial sunlight and/or full shade are vinca, begonias, impatiens, hosta and violas. Here are some tips for growing and keeping a healthy, beautiful garden all summer long. If a variety of colors is your preference make sure the colors compliment each other and do not clash. Use shorter plants around the outside of the garden to ensure they are not obscured by taller varieties. Should any flowers become diseased, remove them from the garden immediately. This should be done by the roots and will prevent the disease from spreading to other flowers in the garden. Dead-head any flowers that have already bloomed to increase bloom time and strengthen the plant. Keep dead-heads for propagating plants at a later date and control where flowers spread by dead-heading all self-seeding flowers immediately after blooming. Keep an eye out for mildew, aphids and larger pests such as rabbits, deer, etc... Utilize supports and stakes where appropriate to keep taller, heavier plants from falling over and creating an untidy look to the garden. After shrubs, such as lilacs, have flowered for the season it is best to prune them as this keeps them healthy and looking wonderful each year. Now, enjoy your summer garden! This article is provided by Sydney florist, Flowers for Everyone. | |||||
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