Maybe this is your first attempt at a flower garden, or perhaps you've tried before and things didn't quite work out as planned. The beauty of gardening is that every season offers a fresh start, and sometimes the most successful approach is the simplest one.
Wherever you want to plant a flower garden – in your backyard, on your balcony, or out in the courtyard, this guide will walk you through everything step by step.
Planning your flower garden space
Before you rush off to All Green Nursery, take a good look at your space. Your flower garden depends entirely on what you're working with. Do you get morning sun, afternoon sun, or are you dealing with a shadier spot? Most flowers need a decent amount of sunlight daily, so this will determine what you can grow.
For smaller spaces, growing flowers in a pot is absolutely doable and often easier for beginners. Container flower gardening gives you complete control over soil quality and lets you move things around if they're not happy.
When planning your flower garden bed, think about height and spread. Tall flowers like delphiniums go at the back, medium ones like zinnias in the middle, and low growers like daisies at the front. It's basic, but it works!
Step-by-step DIY flower garden
Step 1 – Choose your location
Pick a warm spot that gets at least 6-8 hours of sunlight daily and has reasonable access to water. Measure the area so you know how many plants you'll need. For beginners, start with a manageable 2x2 metre space rather than trying to tackle the entire plot.
Step 2 – Prepare the soil
Remove weeds and dig in 5-10cm of compost or aged manure. Melbourne's clay soil needs this organic matter to drain properly. If you're doing container flower gardening, use quality potting mix instead of garden soil.
For the best results, we recommend Grow Better Potting Mix.
Step 3 – Select your plants
Choose 3-5 plant varieties maximum for your first flower garden. Mix heights (tall, medium, short) and include both annuals for quick colour and perennials for long-term structure. Stick to proven performers like marigolds, petunias, roses, and lavender.
Step 4 – Plant with care
Space plants according to their mature size - resist overcrowding. Plant on a cloudy day or in the evening to reduce transplant shock. Water generously after planting and apply a layer of mulch around plants.
For seeds
As a rule of thumb, make sure to plant seeds at a depth of up to 2-3 times their diameter. Tiny seeds like alyssum just need to be pressed into the soil surface. Keep the soil moist (but not waterlogged) until germination. Direct sowing works well for zinnias, cosmos, and marigolds in Melbourne's spring.
For bulbs
Plant bulbs pointy-end up at a depth of three times their height. So a 5cm bulb goes 15cm deep. Ensure good drainage as bulbs rot in soggy soil. In Melbourne, plant spring bulbs like daffodils and tulips in autumn (March-May) for blooms in spring.
For seedlings
Gently remove seedlings from pots without disturbing roots too much. Plant at the same depth they were in the pot; don't bury the stem deeper. If you've bought seedlings that have been indoors, gradually expose them to outdoor conditions over a week before planting to avoid shock.
Step 5 – Establish a routine
Set up your watering system (even a simple timer on your hose) and schedule weekly maintenance checks. Deadhead spent flowers, check for pests, and enjoy watching your flower garden develop.
During the first month, check your plants every few days. Look for signs of distress like wilting, yellowing leaves, or pest damage. Don't panic if some plants struggle initially - this is normal. Move struggling plants to better spots or replace them with more suitable varieties.
Melbourne's seasonal flower planting guide
Living in Melbourne means dealing with four seasons in one day, but here's when to plant a flower garden for the best results:
Spring (September-November)
This is prime time for flower gardening. Plant warm-season annuals like marigolds, petunias, and impatiens. Perennials like lavender and salvias also love getting established now. Jump over to our blog to learn more about what else you can plant in Melbourne’s spring.
Summer (December-February)
Focus on heat-tolerant options. Sunflowers, zinnias, and cosmos handle our hot days beautifully. Keep watering consistently.
Autumn (March-May)
Plant cool-season flowers like pansies, violas, and snapdragons. They'll bloom through winter and give you colour when everything else has died back.
Winter (June-August)
Not much direct planting at this time! But it's perfect for planning and preparing beds for spring.
Simple flower garden ideas for beginners
If you're looking for simple flower garden ideas, here are some foolproof combinations that work brilliantly in Melbourne:
The cottage mix: Sweet alyssum, marigolds, and cosmos. Throw in some lavender for structure. Easy to grow and looks like you know what you're doing.
Native beauty: Combine kangaroo paw, grevilleas, and native violets. These handle our climate like champions and need way less water once established.
Container-friendly: Perfect for renters or small spaces. Growing flowers in a pot successfully means choosing the right size containers (at least 30cm deep) and using quality potting mix.
Tip from our horticulturist
Everyone makes mistakes! Even if you've been gardening for years or this is your very first dig into the dirt, so don't feel bad if you recognise yourself here:
Over-planting: Those tiny seedlings will grow. Give them space, or you'll have a jungle by Christmas.
Wrong soil prep: Melbourne's soil needs help. Dig in compost and aged manure before you plant a flower garden, or your flowers will sulk.
Forgetting about water: Automatic watering systems or setting a reminder is essential during Melbourne summers.
Ignoring slugs and snails: Those pesky bugs will demolish your flower garden overnight. The good news is that there are plenty of natural, pet-safe methods to protect your plants.
Our experienced team at All Green can guide you through effective organic solutions that actually work. Give us a call or send us a message for practical advice tailored to your garden.
Your first-year maintenance timeline
The truth is, flower gardening gets easier as you go. Your first year will involve some trial and error, but that's completely normal. Plants are surprisingly forgiving.
Here’s a quick maintenance timeline to follow:
Daily: Do a quick visual check while enjoying your morning coffee. Look for obvious wilting or dryness to determine if you’re overwatering or underwatering.
Monthly: Check for pests, deadhead spent flowers, and deep water rather than frequent light watering.
Seasonal: Replace annuals, mulch garden beds, and divide perennials that have gotten too big.
As needed: Fertilise with slow-release fertiliser every 6-8 weeks during growing season.
