• Plant flowers on an overcast day to prevent sunscald.Chris Clinton/Lifesize/Getty Images
  
  A garden filled with summer flowers adds color to your landscape. When planted correctly, the flowers thrive with just the minimum of maintenance. Providing for the flowers' needs at planting gets them off to a healthy start and can lead to more abundant blossoms more quickly. Not all plants have the same needs, so always refer to the plant label and make sure your flowers receive the proper care.
  
  

Site

• Before planting, inspect your proposed garden site to ensure it meets the needs of the flowers. Most flowering plants require six to eight hours of sunlight daily, though some thrive in partial or full shade. Refer to the plant label or seed packet to verify the needs of the flowers you have chosen. Wind is also an issue for some plants. High winds bend and break taller flowers, so these do best in protected areas near buildings or fences.
  
  

Soil Quality

• Most plants prefer well-drained soils that are rich in organic matter. Areas where water tends to collect after irrigation and rainfall can lead to root rot in many flowers. Overly sandy soils drain too quickly, which causes plants to require more frequent watering. Work compost into the soil before planting to add organic matter and improve poor drainage. Alternately, construct a raised bed filled with good soil over the proposed garden site.
  
  

Fertility

• Most flowers benefit from fertilization before or right at planting. A general-purpose fertilizer is suitable for nearly all flowers. Work a slow-release fertilizer into the soil prior to planting at the label-recommended rate. Alternately, water flowers with a soluble fertilizer after planting them in the ground. Slow-release fertilizers require application every two to three months, while soluble fertilizers must be reapplied every two to six weeks.
  
  

Depth and Spacing

• When planting seeds, sow at the depth recommended on the seed packet. Planting too deeply or shallowly can inhibit seed germination. Seeds are generally planted at a depth twice their diameter, but some seeds require light to sprout so they must be sown on the soil surface. Plant container-grown seedlings at the same depth they were growing at in their container. The crown of the plant, which is where stems emerge from the roots, should sit right at or slightly above the soil surface. Follow the spacing recommendations on the seed packet or plant label. Planting too closely results in weak or overcrowded plants.
  
  

Moisture Needs

• Moisture requirements vary between flower varieties. Most do well in evenly moist soil that is neither dry nor soggy. At planting, water the flowers thoroughly so the top 6 inches of the soil is moistened. Maintain that moisture level with once or twice weekly watering. Applying a 2 to 3 inch layer of mulch after planting helps retain moisture in the soil while also preventing weed competition with your flowers.