Have you been thinking about getting into gardening? March 12th is National Plant a Flower Day, so now is the perfect time to get started. Our real estate agents have been looking forward to getting out in their gardens again, and they can't wait to add some new flowers to their collections. Here are a few of their top tips for gardening in Central Texas.

• Use Raised Flowerbeds 
  The soil around our Cedar Park homes for sale is mostly clay, and that type of terrain is far from ideal for growing flowers. While you may get lucky when planting directly into the ground, you're better off creating some raised flowerbeds out of cinderblocks or cedar planks. Line the bottom of the beds with cardboard or newspaper to keep weeds from taking root beneath them. Once these barriers are in place, pour some potting soil on top of them and spread it out evenly across the flowerbeds. Continue until the soil reaches the top of the beds in an even layer.  
  
  
• Prepare the Soil
  Now that you have a place to put your flowers, you'll need to prepare the potting soil for planting. Spread half an inch of compost on top of the soil, then work it thoroughly into the soil using your hands or a small trowel. This addition will give your flowers the basic nutrition they need to grow. You can either purchase compost from a gardening store or make it at home from recycled kitchen scraps. 
  
  
• Fertilize for New Growth
  Compost is an excellent first step toward good plant health, but if you want your flowers to truly thrive, they'll need some fertilizer too. Look for a commercial blend that's formulated for the specific plants you're growing. They'll contain the exact balance of potassium, nitrogen, phosphorus, and other chemicals needed to support optimal growth. 
  
  
• Water with Care
  Once you've planted your flowers in your prepared soil, remember to water them regularly. You can use an automatic sprinkler with a timer to do this if you have trouble doing these types of chores consistently. Water your flowers just enough to keep the soil around them moist, but give them a little extra water if a temperature dip is coming to your area. The water will help insulate their fragile roots from the cold. 
  
  
• Don't Forget Pest Control
  Your flowers are now off to a strong start, but watch out – pests like aphids and caterpillars can easily overtake a new plant and cause it to wither. If you find any of these creepy crawlies near your flowers, give them a quick blast of water to get rid of them without pesticides. If that doesn't work, look for a non-toxic insecticide that won't harm your garden or the surrounding wildlife.

Make Your Gardening Dreams Come True

If your current home doesn't have enough outdoor space for all the trees, shrubs, flowers, and other plants you want, it might be time for an upgrade. Contact us today to learn more about our roster of homes for sale around Central Texas. We'll help you find the right property for that lush, leafy garden you've always dreamed of.