LEARNING THE BASICS
CHOOSING A GOOD SPOT
Your flower patch will be beautiful to look at but you should think of it as a place to harvest a crop. To maximise your haul, you’ll need to consider these points when choosing where to plant…
* A sunny situation is a must, with a minimum of six hours direct light a day.
* Check it’s not overshadowed – watch how shadows fall on the area during the day.
* Avoid being too close to hedges and trees as their roots will compete for water.
* A bit of shelter is good if possible. Nearby shrubs will offer protection from breezes.
* Choose somewhere you can reach with a hose, unless you value an arm work-out with watering cans.
WHAT'S THE BEST SHAPE?
Seize whatever space you can, even having two smaller patches if that's easier. Check you can reach right into the area so that you can pick flowers easily (if not, add a narrow path in the middle). If you're starting a patch from scratch, get some pointers on page 56.
PREPARING YOUR PATCH
Your intended patch might be an existing flower bed or a new piece of ground. Either way, it will benefit from some work and care before you plant anything.
First, clear any weeds – dig down to make sure you get
