Spring Flower Garden Planning Tips

Every spring I look forward to my flower garden. In the winter, though, I can only plan for the coming seasons. During the longer winter days, I like to organize a strategy and a plan for making my flower garden the best it can be.

Draw a Map
I like to draw out a map of my flower garden area. It isn't to scale but I use it to give myself an idea of placement. I mark out the stepping stones, garden pond, fence and other features in and around my flower garden. I use colored pencils to mark perennials that I expect to come back with the warming of spring.

With my map I like to include drawings of potential upgrades and expansions with my flower garden. If I want to add a new garden path, I draw it in to get an idea of whether I would like it in the chosen location or not.

Make a List
I make a list of all perennials in my flower garden that I expect to return in the spring. I include their color and bloom times to give me an idea for other flowers to plant around them.

I also make a list of new perennials and annuals I would like to add. This is my wish list of what I hope to include in the coming season.

In addition to flowers on my wish list, I like to include a wish list of garden items and decorations I would like to add.

Dates
As I am planning my flower garden, I usually check weather forecasts for the spring. The "Old Farmer's Almanac" is good for giving an idea of what kind of weather to expect in the coming spring and summer. Local Cooperative Extension offices can help you determine the last frost date for your area so you can choose a date to begin planting things. My area can still have frigid weather in early May, so I usually don't plan to do any planting until mid-May.

Part of my flower garden planning will include a schedule--but not just for planting. Before things begin coming up in the spring, I like to clean up my flower garden to prepare it for the new season. This includes general clean up, putting down new weed cloth, cleaning up flower pots (see Cleaning and Preparing Flower Pots for Reuse), raking and clearing away debris (dead plant material, leaves, limbs).

Make Notes
My flower garden planning includes writing notes about my plans and ideas I have. Writing down any and all ideas will help me to better visualize and think about my plans so I can choose the best course of action. I can look at the notes, maps and lists and choose what to do first, then mark of each task as I complete it.

The best part comes when I get to sit back and enjoy the fruits--or flowers--of my labors.