A bed with colorful blooming cacti doesn't have to remain a pipe dream. There are definitely winter-hardy species that cause a stir in the garden all year round. To ensure that the exotic, thorny beauties feel at home, important aspects must be taken into account when planting. Use our tips to successfully create your own cactus bed in the garden.
How do I create a cactus bed in the garden?
To create a cactus bed in the garden, choose a sunny, rain-protected location with sandy-loamy to sandy-gravelly soil. Prepare the soil by digging it to a depth of 30 cm, adding a drainage layer and filling it with sandy substrate. Plant the cacti between mid-May and the end of June.
Tips for choosing a location and tilling the soil
The vast majority of frost-hardy cacti are native to high up in the Andes and North American mountains. Shade and nutrient-rich soil are in short supply there. Therefore, match your choice of location to the natural conditions. How to do it right:
- A sunny, rain-protected location
- Sandy-loamy to sandy-gravelly soil
- Fresh to moderately dry, without waterlogging
Conventional garden soil contains too many nutrients for frugal cacti. Targeted soil cultivation optimizes the site quality for the requirements of the succulents. For this purpose, dig the bed about 30 cm deep. Spread a layer of grit or gravel on the bottom as drainage. Fill the excavated material back in after enriching it with lime-free quartz sand or perlite.
Planting cacti in the garden - this is how it works
The ideal time window for planting outdoor cacti is from mid-May to the end of June/beginning of July. Please carry out the soil preparation 14 days before the planned planting date to allow the soil to settle. Proceed as follows:
- Dig a planting hole for each cactus with 1.5 times the volume of the root ball
- Put on thorn-proof gloves (€15.00 at Amazon)
- Unpot the plant and place it in the middle of the pit as deep as before in the pot
- Press the substrate with your hands to ensure a good seal to the soil
- Finally, spread a 3-5 cm thick layer of gravel, grit or lava granules
Adjust the planting distance to the respective cactus species. For popular outdoor cacti, such as opuntias, a distance of 30 to 40 cm between the plants has proven to be effective.
Tip
Your frost-sensitive cacti prefer to spend the warm summer time in the garden or on the balcony. From mid-May to mid/end of September, your summer visitors can enjoy the sunshine in a location protected from the rain. During this time, numerous species put on their flower dress to attract everyone's attention.
