Seeding

• Annuals are the best choice of flower to grow from seed, but just about all flowers can be raised this way. Several elements contribute to successful propagation of seedlings. You must provide neither too much nor too little water, the seeds must be exposed to warmth and light, the soil must contain the nutrients required by the flower and consistent attention throughout the growing process must be applied.
  
  

Lighting

• Lighting is a particularly important component in the growth of flowers, especially if you are dealing with the winter sun. Even if you can grow your flowers on a windowsill that faces south, you will need to enhance the situation with artificial light sources.
  
  

Mulching

• One of the most effective ways to ensure that the flowers you plant will bloom beautifully and remain hardy is to mulch the garden. Mulch is simply organic material that has been layered on top of the dirt. Mulching will stimulate moisture retention in the soil by absorbing rainfall, reduce the rate of decay and assist in the release of nutrients down into the soil.
  
  

Weeding

• All those elements that contribute to the growth of flowers can be adversely affected by the presence of weeds. Weeding is a good idea for your flower garden, if only to make it look better. The real problem with allowing weeds to grow near your flowers is that the plants must compete for water, light and nutrients. Hoeing weeds can result in damage to your flowers. A much more effective means of weeding is to just to pull them away with your hands.
  
  

Insect Control

• Rather than heading to the store for chemical insecticides, take steps to keep bugs out of the planting process by taking organic measures. A strong spray from a hose will dislodge aphids and other insects. Soap sprays are effective against soft-bodied insects. You can successfully attack insect eggs with horticultural sprays.
  
  

Pinching

• A procedure for facilitating the growth of annuals is to pinch out the tips of young plants by rubbing it between the top pair of leaves on each stem. Pinching will help your annuals become stronger as well as produce more flowers.
  
  

Bulbs

• Bulbs can be planted in the fall up to the first freeze of the soil. Best effects are achieved by planting bulbs early enough in the season that they have time to extend their root system before cold weather hits. The closer to the first fall freeze that bulbs are planted, the more likely they will bloom later than normal.