Starting a garden.. PLEASE Help!!!?

I know there are a bunch of questions about starting a garden, and I've been doing research about it, but still need help. I just recently bought my old childhood home. When I was younger my mother had a small garden in the front yard; but now the garden is just grass. So in the early fall when I moved in I borded it, put black tarp down, and covered it with mulch (to kill the grass). So it's been there for about 5 months now.



I want to plant some flowers there in the spring/summer. I was planning on going to my local flowershop, but I heard that there are "spring flowers" and "summer flowers". The spring ones wont last in the heat? I need to till the ground? and buy some soil? I'm new at these gardening stuff, but I'm about to pull my hair out!



Any help would be great!!!

Starting a garden.. PLEASE Help!!!?
The key to a nice garden is the soil. Amend your soil with a fine quality mulch and work it in as much as you can.Ask your local nursery what plants are best for your area. I would suggest some spring blooming bulbs and flower seed over them, You will get a continuous bloom by planting flowers that bloom at different times. Not knowing where you live I can not suggest species. Bulbs do well almost anywhere, there are some that will bloom at the different seasons.By planting seeds over the area of the bulbs you can have color year round. Read the labels of the seeds packet, they will tell you what care they will need and when they will bloom. Keeping a layer of mulch on the top of your garden will help in many ways. It helps to keep unwanted plants and grass out, keeps the moisture in the ground and actually adds nutrients to your soil.

Be sure and discard the plastic tarp as it will attract MANY unwanted insects. Start small so you can manage it with out stress. Your garden should be your "escape" a place you enjoy. As your garden matures you grow in knowledge of the plants. It is a win -win situation. I would also suggest you attract birds to your garden area. They will help in insect control and in helping to pollinate. A bird feeder near by will call them, in.

Good Luck and congrats. on buying your childhood home...that is great!

God Bless, Grandma
Reply:The key thing to remember on all of this "learning" is to start small and remember to have patience. You don't need to but dirt but you will need to improve the soil with some compost. Old leaves from last fall mixed in to the already existing dirt. You could also put in a small amount of manure. Just sprinkle the top of the soil with either one and mix it into the dirt when you till. Don't till too deep though. It depends on what look you are going for when it comes to what flowers you want. Obviously you want flowers clear through the growing season so a mixture of spring, summer and fall plants would be best. Also remember that even though some plants do not flowers they will look nice in the winter months if left alone. Like tall grasses and Sedum. The Internet is great for looking up images of plants in your area. Just be relaxed about the whole process and know that there will be plants that die or don't do well, but just like in life we learn from these mistakes. Good luck.
Reply:Turn and fertilize the soil before planting for the best results.



Get a guide or look up plants on the internet that are suited to your climate but be careful that you don't introduce some exotic species that could kill indiginous species.



Whenever you go to buy plants, there's usually a little tag on them that will give you the proper shade/sun requirements, watering methods/amounts and temperature heartiness...if not, then ask the owner (not just an employee because most greenhouse owners started their businesses out of love for plants and know quite a bit) as much as you can about the plants you take a look at or consider choosing.



Most "spring flowers" will live through summer, it's just a term used to let you know that they are early bloomers.



There's also the choice of annuals and perrenials.



:)



Edit: And whatever you do...NEVER use plastic to cover plants when it frosts or freezes. Plastic will cause condensation (even in winter) and it will crystallize and kill the plants. An old bedsheet or piece of fabric is better.



Also, be careful with the type of insecticides and poisons you use. A lot of companies will say they're stuff is totally safe, but do a little research on the chemicals before you use them....you'd be surprised at how many carcinogens are sold as plant "accessories" and "treatments". The best insecticide is ground up tomato leaves steeped in water...enough to turn the water a pale green...spray it on the plants a couple of days after steeping them and the bugs won't come near! It's ecologically the safest thing you can use too.



Happy gardening!!
Reply:I would visit a few locally-owned nurseries. If you find an nursery owner that is knowledgeable and has time to talk, you can learn alot. Find someone who isn't trying to sell you something you don't need. You should also draw a small diagram of your area and take some photos along noting which areas are shaded and the direction they face. Make note of the soil type and if it is frequently wet or dry. If you don't trust the nursery people, most areas have Master Gardeners. They will help you at no charge and may even come to your home to help. Look under your local agricultural extention service in the phone book. Good luck.
Reply:It would be a big help if you tell us where you live. There is a difference in what you can plant according to your climate. You can also get your soil tested to see what it lacks for a good garden.



However for simplicity reasons. I would first dig up the sod(grass) that was there first. I would then add some top soil, peat moss, and compost (all of which you can buy at your local garden center) Just use a shovel and mix them all together by "turning over" the soil. Plant your flowers and put a layer of mulch on top.



Depending on where you live you can plant bulbs (perennials) in the fall and they will sprout in the spring (such as lily's). If you haven't done so you can just buy the plants in early spring and plant them whole. I wouldn't be to concerned about "spring" plants or "summer" plants. Again if you go to your local garden center they usually only sell the plants that are in season.



In all of this don't forget about the difference between annuals (come up once) and perennials (sprout every season).



Don't get to stressed out. Remember to enjoy what your doing. Most of the people who enjoy their gardens have learned from trial and error.



Good luck