How to Prepare Flower Beds

Overview

When you are building a new flower bed, take the time to improve the soil before you plant. Adequate sunlight is important, as is regularly fertilizing the plants. However, nothing is as important as preparing and improving the soil before you plant any flowers.

Step 1

Position your flower bed in a place that gets full sun. Flowers need at least 8 hours of sun per day to produce lots of blooms.

Step 2

Mark the borders. Pound a small stake into each corner of the bed and run a string from stake to stake. If your flower bed has curved edges, mark them by laying a hose on the ground or by painting the borderline with spray paint.

Step 3

Prepare the soil. Loosen the soil by tilling or turning it over with a garden shovel. Dig down the depth of the shovel. Break up any large clumps of soil and remove any large rocks. Pull and remove all vegetation.

Step 4

Add soil amendments. Add at least 2 inches of compost to the surface of the flower bed. Add 2 to 4 inches of peat moss. Apply slow-release granulated fertilizer specially formulated for flowers to the soil's surface, following the manufacturer's instructions.

Step 5

Incorporate the amendments into the soil by rototilling again or by turning over the soil with the shovel.

Step 6

Rake the flower bed smooth with a garden rake. It is now ready to be planted.