Prep the Flower Pot - Give your flower pots a wipe down with disinfectant soap or soak pots in a bleach solution. If you have any concrete, ceramic, or terracotta pots, you can use a hard bristled brush to scrub the inside and insure the debris and minerals from the previous season are removed.   

Add Drainage - Add rocks, gravel, terracotta pellets, or some other drainage material to the bottom of the flower pot. You will want enough that the base of the pot is covered. 

Add Soil for the Plants - Fill the flower pot approximately 3/4 full with potting mix or soil of your choice.

Choose the Placement of your Flowers - It is a good idea to layout your plants and flowers in the placement you are wanting prior to planting them. This way, you can be sure to have enough plants to achieve the color or texture pattern you are wanting to go with. Also, be aware of the height and variations of the plants as you are prepping this layout.     

Plant the Flowers - Once you are satisfied with how your layout and flowers look in the pots, it is time to get planting! Start with the largest plants first (this plant is usually placed in the middle or back of the pot) and work your way out from there.

 Water and Fertilizer your Flower Pots - Be sure to give your plants and flowers a big drink of fertilized water as soon as you have them planted! This will give them a boost right from the beginning and get them started on their way!  

Deadheading and Pruning Flowers - Now that you have your flower pot all planted and well on its way to being a big, beautiful outdoor focal point, you may have to do some aftercare! Depending on what types of flowers you decided to go with, deadheading and pruning will insure that your plants and flowers keep blooming all summer long and right into the fall! Reading the labels of your plants will give you a good idea of which ones will require deadheading and pruning on an ongoing basis.