What could be better after a long winter than seeing your garden coming back beautifully again letting you know springtime has begun? If this sounds perfect to you, you should think about planting perennial gardens this year.
Perennials are fantastic because, unlike annuals, they come back every year to put on a bright and colourful show. If you’re new to gardening or simply unfamiliar with perennials, you’re in luck. In this article, I’ll let you in on six helpful tips for planting perennials when you’re a newbie.
1. Plan and Prepare
Taking the time to plan out your garden before you get started will make a big difference in how it turns out. Decide where you’ll place your garden and measure out exactly how big it will be. Knowing how much room you have and the amount of sunlight the garden will receive will help you pick your perennials.
2. Choose the Right Plants
While it can be tempting to pick your plants based on their pictures, you should consider a few things before choosing them. Think about how much light the garden gets, what type of soil you have, and where your garden lies in the hardiness zone.
Once you know the answers to all those questions, you’ll be able to find plants that will thrive in your garden.
3. Timing Is Everything
Once you’ve chosen the best plants, you’ll need to know when the best time to plant them is. Most summer and autumn blooming plants should be placed in the soil in the spring after the last freeze. Most spring-blooming perennials should be planted in the fall.
4. Prepare the Soil
Don’t just plop those perennials into your garden space before you’ve had the chance to prep the soil well. You want to loosen up the dirt and get rid of any rocks or unwanted debris.
You can help fertilize the soil bed by adding compost to help nourish your plants. Testing your soil pH levels is also a good idea before you plant anything.
5. Growing From Seeds
If you decide to grow your plants from seeds instead of purchasing grown perennials from a nursery, you’ll want to plant them in a small seedbed. This will allow them the chance to grow and become stronger before placing them directly in the garden.
6. Plant Like a Pro
Finally, the fun part! When it’s time to plant your choices, give them a good watering first. Dig holes that are a little deeper and wider than the pot they are in, and make sure to tease the roots a bit so they’ll spread out and grow new roots more easily.
Plant Your Own Perennial Gardens
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Perennial gardens are hardy and provide beautiful new blooms year after year. Follow the tips above, and you’ll be sure to enjoy a lovely garden every year in your own backyard.
Are you ready to start your gorgeous garden? Learn more here on our site about the best perennials to get started with for your own home garden.
Are you interested in growing vegetables? Click to sign up now for our FREE PDF guide, Container Vegetable Gardening for the Urban Gardener.
Happy gardening!