What Are the Top Five Ways to Maintain Flowerbeds?

Spring has sprung and summer is almost here. It’s the time of year people tend to focus on the fantastic florals of their landscape. Resource Landscaping wants to help Boise, Star, Meridian, Eagle, Napa, Caldwell, and Cuna, Idaho, with the top five tips for maintaining flowerbeds. 

Have you ever walked by a home and thought, why can’t my house look like that? Did the lush green lawn catch your eye, or was it the burst of vibrant colors coming from the flowerbeds? Is it possible it was both? The key is always to have a healthy lawn accented by the most beautiful blooms.  

With all the beautiful weather in Idaho, it’s no wonder there are so many spectacular flowers and shrubs to choose from when planning your flowerbeds. The key is to combine a healthy lawn with a burst of colors in Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter. Our knowledgeable team has been providing quality lawn maintenance for years and wants to share some of the best ways to maintain flowerbeds and enhance your home.  

What plants work best in flowerbeds?

We always talk about native plants giving the best results, and that’s because they have the greatest chance of surviving different weather conditions. In addition, native plants adapt well to the soil and usually require less water and fertilizers. The hardiness zone for Idaho is 4-6, so always make sure you choose plants in those zones as it will give you a jumpstart to having a healthier yard and superior curb appeal. 

Another thing you can do is to mix annual and perennial plants. The advantage of perennials is that you only plant them once, and they keep coming back for years. The disadvantage is that they don’t usually flower throughout spring and summer, so you need to add some annuals to accent them. 

Always try to set up companion planting in your flowerbeds. A simple step like placing certain plants together will help keep pests away and create the perfect balance of nutrients. Be sure to keep in mind to pair plants that require the same sunlight and moisture, so you don’t have one growing and creating shade to the other. It also is a great way to have color at different times of the year too!

If you want to add color into your yard in late summer, Nettleleaf Giant Hyssop will bring vibrant violet or rose flowers. To add to your flowerbed bouquet, you may want to plant Columbine, which will get beautiful bell-shaped flowers in mid-spring and attract hummingbirds and butterflies. Then, of course, to keep that color going all year long, you may want to plant some annuals like geraniums, impatiens, or Buttercups. These are just some ideas as there are over 3000 native plants in Idaho. Not sure what to pick? Let our experienced design team create a plan that will pop color into your yard throughout every season. 

Do I need to water flowerbeds regularly?

The key to any healthy yard is to make sure you give it the proper nutrients it needs to have a spectacular growing season. For example, flowerbeds require approximately one inch of water. This equates to about five gallons of water per square foot.  A great way to keep up with watering is to install a drip irrigation system. Not only will it help to conserve water, but it also helps water get directly to the root of the plant. A drip system will also alleviate the spread of fungal as the water doesn’t sit on the leaves, which is a problem that occurs when you use a sprinkler system or hose. A great time to water flowers is in the morning. You don’t want to water during those summer afternoon hours as the heat will evaporate the water and take the nutrients needed for a healthy growing season.  

How important is mulching?

When you add mulch to flowerbeds, you are helping to keep moisture in the soil and keep a balanced soil temperature. You also create a barrier between the soil and the sunlight, alleviating weeds from growing and fighting with your plants for nutrients. 

However, when applying mulch, spread approximately 2 inches evenly around your flowerbed, making sure you don’t pile it around the plants. If mulch sits against the plants, it can take away the oxygen and create a haven for diseases and pests. The most significant advantage of mulch is it gives a clean, fresh look and enhances the overall appearance of your yard. Try to use organic mulch as it will decompose and add nutrients into the soil. Another suggestion is to border your flowerbeds with stone. This will help with future maintenance as you don’t have to replace the stone, like mulch, and it will add another texture to the landscaping, which always adds to the perfect curb appeal.   

How do you control weeds?

Time and Time again, we are asked what will help control weeds? Our recommendation is to consistently stay ahead of them by adding a pre-emergent application followed by a post-emergent application. This ensures you getting them before they start, and if you do have some that get into your yard, then a follow-up herbicide that kills on contact is a good line of attack. Always read the labels of the herbicides as you don’t want to use anything that will damage the healthy areas in your flowerbeds. You also should be careful not to apply weed killer on windy days as it can end up in areas that could cause significant damage.  

Do you need to hire a professional lawn maintenance service?

With our years of experience in lawn maintenance, we have found that you need to consistently care for your yard and provide it with the required nutrients for a healthy growing season. It may sound easy, but it is time-consuming and can become costly if not maintained properly. Our reliable team is ready to give your yard a show-stopper appearance with flowerbeds that will flourish throughout every season. We are committed to providing you with the best lawn maintenance services in town.