GOLDEN RULES OF FLOWER GARDENING

Golden Rules of Flower Gardening:

 1. Invest in your soil. Spend time and money first on improving your soil. Loose, rich, well-drained soil reduces watering, makes weeding easier,fights diseases, and helps flowers grow bigger and better in a way no chemicals can.The no-fail way is to work in plenty of compost-it's almost impossible to add too much-and to keep adding it year afteryear. 

2. Put the right plant in the right place. Choose plants thatare well-suited to your climate--they will require mini malattention, watering, sprays, altered pHs, staking, or digging up each year. 

3. Look at your garden every day. Spend a little time in the morning before work or steal a few moments each evening. You'll enjoy your garden, get ideas, and spot problems while they're small and can be remedied easily.

4. Learn and plan. Read and research plants and gardening techniques. Look through mail-order catalogs and gardening magazines. Browse the Web. You'll get ideas that will help you garden better and more efficiently. 

5. Have patience. Gardening is a gradual process. It takes time -often years-to master techniques and time forgardens to reach their potential. Learning to appreciate nature's pace is actually one of gardening's great lessons.

6. Read the instructions. Whether it's a plant label or apackage, read the instructions and follow them exactly.You'll save time and money.

7. Have fun! Working in your garden provides great relief from the trials and stresses of everyday life. Great gardens evolve with a combination of creativity and persistence! Fulfillment, enjoyment and personal satisfaction are what flower gardening is all about.