Newby looked wistfully across the street at the neighbor’s yard. Right now, it was brown and dead-looking, but Newby knew that in a few short weeks there would be an exuberant display of flowers, and that the shrubs and a tree would be blooming.

Newby, “I wish my yard could be more than just the grass and the shade tree that I have, but I don’t know anything about flowers.

In a flash of green, Green Thumb appeared!

Greenthumb, “I can Help! What is the purpose of your flower garden?”

Newby, “Umm, flowers?”

Greenthumb, “Do you want big showy display,

a formal garden,

A wildflower or native garden?

or maybe just a pop of color in some areas?” 

Newby, “Ah, I’m not sure.”

Greenthumb, “Let’s look at your house and yard. You need to know how many hours of light your garden will get. The north and east sides of your yard generally get less light than the south or west. Many flowers need full sun, which means a minimum six hours of direct light.  

Newby: Here’s my house and yard.

Greenthumb, Container gardening is a good way to dip your toes into flower gardening and great for pops of color). Check this site out for information on container gardening: https://extension.umn.edu/managing-soil-and-nutrients/fertilizing-and-watering-container-plants

For a wildflower garden check out this site: https://agsci.oregonstate.edu/mes/sustainable-wildflower-seed-production/scarification-and-vernalization

With in-ground beds this year, you will want to    get a soil test. Check out this site to see how to take a soil sample, how to interpret the results, how to determine the soil texture (sandy, clayey, loamy) and how long it takes for your soil to absorb water. The results will let you know what kind and how much fertilizer and organic matter your soil needs before you plant. https://extension.umn.edu/managing-soil-and-nutrients/soil-testing-lawns-and-gardens

Newby, “I think I’d like in-ground raised beds.” 

Greenthumb, “Since you want raised beds you can use high quality soil to fill them and not have to worry about a soil test for at least a couple of years. Check out this site: https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/raised-bed-gardens

Greenthumb,” Now it’s time to choose your flowers.”

Newby, “How do I do that?”

Greenthumb, “A good way to start is with catalogs. When you find a flower that takes your fancy, you can find out how much sun/shade each flower needs. You will find out things like when to sow outside or start them inside https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/starting-seeds-indoors  what kind of soil, how dry or wet it should be. Another good way is to visit a local nursery. The tags on the plants will give you the same information, and other questions can be answered by nursery staff. You can also call the Arboretum Yard and Garden line ((612-301-7590) to have a Master Gardener answer your questions. All this information will help you determine where to place your raised beds and what to plant in them.

           Greenthumb, “Happy Gardening Newby!”

Photo Credits: Marjorie Blare (1-8,10-11), University of Minnesota Extension (9)