Have you always dreamed of having a beautiful flower garden? Now, it is time to make your dream come true. Starting a flower garden is an exciting and rewarding experience, but there are many things to consider first. One of them is when should you plant your flowers in the garden? What is the best time? The answer is "it depends." The time when you should plant flowers depends on the type of flowers. The timeframe is different for perennial, annual, and bulb flowers. You should also know whether your flowers are frost-sensitive or not. Keep reading this article courtesy of Tri-C Organics to see what you should consider before starting your flower garden.
Know the Frost Cycle
Depending on the area, the last and first frost dates might vary. Knowing these dates is important to determine when is the safest time to plant your flowers. If you plant them at the wrong time, your flowers may not survive the seasons. Experts recommend planting your seeds about four to six weeks before the average frost date to give your flowers a jump start.
Planting Perennial Flowers
Perennial flowers live in the ground for more than two years. In winter, they may die, but their roots survive underground and produce new foliage once warmth and light arrive again.
The best time for planting perennial flowers is spring and fall. Both these seasons have their advantages. If you plant your flowers in spring, you will have warm soil, longer days with sunlight, and plenty of rainfall. If you decide to postpone planting until the fall season, it is also beneficial as your flowers will have the entire winter to grow stronger roots.
Here is a list of the most popular perennial flowers and the timeframe:
Anise Hyssop: planting on the last frost date
Catmint: planting on the last frost date
Daisy: one to two weeks before the last frost date
Delphinium: one to two weeks before the last frost date
Heliopsis: one to two weeks after last frost
Hibiscus: one to two weeks after last frost
Viola: one to two weeks before last frost
Thyme: on last frost date
Planting Annual Flowers
Annual flowers grow one long season only, then die and do not return the following spring. This makes annual flowers more expensive than perennials. Annual flowers should be planted in spring with a good organic humate soil conditioner, preferably after your region's last frost date. Some types of annuals can be successfully planted in early fall in the North and late fall in the South. It is also better to choose a cloudy day to plant them to protect your flowers from sun stress.
Here is a list of the most popular annuals and the timeframe for planting them:
Allium: on last frost date
Aster: on last frost date
Calendula: one to two weeks before last frost date
Coleus: one to two weeks after last frost
Cosmos: on last frost date
Marigolds: on last frost date
Nicotiana: on last frost date
Sunflower: one to two weeks after last frost
Verbena: on last frost date
Planting Spring and Summer Bulbs
There are also spring and summer bulbs that can also add colors and beauty to your flower garden. These flowers are divided into two categories: summer-flowering bulbs and spring-flowering bulbs. The main difference between these two is when they should be planted. Spring-flowering bulbs should be planted in the fall, while summer-flowering bulbs should be planted in the fall.
The list of bulbs that should be planted in the fall includes the following:
Anemone
Allium
Bluebell
Daffodil
Crocus
Glory-of-the-snow
Fritillaria
Grape Hyacinth
Iris
Squill
Snowdrop
Tulip
Here is a list of the bulbs that should be planted in the spring:
Begonia
Calla Lily
Caladium
Canna
Dahlia
Daylily
Freesia
Elephant Ear
Gladiolus
High-Quality Soil and Root Amendments for Your Flowers
Are you thinking about creating a flower garden by planting beautiful flowers? To ensure that the flowers you plant grow properly and bloom, you must provide them with essential microbes and elements. Tri-C Organics offers high-quality soil and root amendments that enhance your plants' health and soil and contribute to the environment. Our shop includes a unique soil conditioner that provides all the necessary elements and minerals and friendly soil fungi (courtesy of our mycorrhizae products that improve the soil structure. If you want to know more about the Tri-C Organics products or have any questions, do not hesitate to contact us today.