Return to To subscribe to Better Homes and Gardens magazine, click here . Copyright 1998 Meredith Corporation. For a longer snipping season, start seeds indoors four to six weeks early, or buy bedding plants at a local greenhouse. Because most flowers bloom best in a rich, well-drained soil, spade or till the earth to a depth of 8 to 10 inches before planting. Mix in healthy portions of nutrient-rich organic matter, such as peat moss, compost, and manure.
Plants grow and bloom best in moist, fertile soil.
A shovelful or two of sand will help improve drainage. Give each plant plenty of room to develop by spacing or thinning them according to the instructions on the plant label or seed packet. Use supple side branches as a silvery foil in wreaths. Crush brittle main stems and use as a fragrant potpourri. Mulch the plants to keep out competing weeds, conserve soil moisture, and prevent mud from splattering and spoiling blossoms.