How can I improve my flower bed?

I recently dug up a 9 by 4 foot section of a very weedy lawn to plant flowers in. I dug rather deep to remove as many weed and grass roots as possible, and then turned the soil and seeded with a wildflower mix. Should I try to continue to aerate? I have seedlings already coming up (seeded two weeks ago), and I worry about harming them. Is there a good way to maintain a healthy bed?

How can I improve my flower bed?
Starting a new bed is always exciting but the problems lies in the soil. Always start with a good healthy soil before planting anything. I use the layering method or lasagna gardening. I turn the clumps of sod and grass, cover with a good layer of newspaper. Wet this down and then layer on 4 to 6 inches of each of the following, sawdust, peat moss, wood ash, leaf compost or dried and mulched (with the mower) leaves, a layer of compost and a cover of mulch over the top. Water the whole thing when done. What you are creating is sort of a compost pile, but you will then plant in it. I usually let my new beds go over the winter with the above combo and in the spring, fork it around and add some compost. You will not only have healthy soil, but the ground will be easier to dig in and plant in. Weeds will be easier to pull and you plant roots will love it. Keep adding mulch over the top. This keeps the roots of the plants from drying out and you will have to water less. There is a book called Lasagna Gardening with all this great info in it. I have been using this method forever and have great soil and great plants! Good luck.





was this the best answer???
Reply:Seed beds need surface moisture daily. Once the seedlings become established (second and third set of mature leaves) you can decrease surface watering, deep water as needed. Don't pull anything until you identify it. Seedlings can easily and successfully be transplanted when thinning. Miraclegro is super.





congrats on your new kids.
Reply:Honestly I can't say I have had good luck with wild flowers at all. I always till the soil before I planted the wild flowers too.


I tried some several times and it always grows up in weeds.





The one flowerbed I have I put in some hostas, iris, sedum, and some other perennials.


I also put down the fabric to prevent weeds from growing and put down mulch.
Reply:Starting a new bed is always exciting but the problems lies in the soil. Always start with a good healthy soil before planting anything. I use the layering method or lasagna gardening. I turn the clumps of sod and grass, cover with a good layer of newspaper. Wet this down and then layer on 4 to 6 inches of each of the following, sawdust, peat moss, wood ash, leaf compost or dried and mulched (with the mower) leaves, a layer of compost and a cover of mulch over the top. Water the whole thing when done. What you are creating is sort of a compost pile, but you will then plant in it. I usually let my new beds go over the winter with the above combo and in the spring, fork it around and add some compost. You will not only have healthy soil, but the ground will be easier to dig in and plant in. Weeds will be easier to pull and you plant roots will love it. Keep adding mulch over the top. This keeps the roots of the plants from drying out and you will have to water less. There is a book called Lasagna Gardening with all this great info in it. I have been using this method forever and have great soil and great plants! Good luck.