I want to start a flower bed, where do I start?

I have two pine trees that I want to surround with various types of flower plants, (Hibbiscus, Ivy's, etc.) But should I buy mulch or fertilizer? I have some landscape fabric, but do I lay it down before or after the dirt? And how do I make sure that no weeds will grow?

First, consider what kind of flowers you want to grow, different flowers have different light and temperature needs. Next,if you are near grass you will have to remove the sod, the grass layer to expose the earth underneath. Then you will need to dig down 12 inches for a really good bed and fill it with a good earth mix; earth, peat moss, lime,organic matter like compost if you can get it,fertilizer, I like bone meal,it is a slow-release formula then mix all these things together well then if you wish lay landscape fabric over the soil then put a 4 inch(I think) layer of mulch over that. Ask your local nursery/garden center about the best mulch to choose. As far as weeds go, there might always be the occasional one pop up, the trick is to pull it as soon as you see it and have professional black garden bed plastic edging installed, it keeps the grass out of the beds. If you are having a garden center do this for you, make sure you watch them like a hawk because quite often they willl try to cut corners. Stick to your guns and research all of these things carefully before hiring anyone. You have to know at least as much or more than they do so you know that you are not being taken advantage of. I do it myself if I can.

Start with the flowers ;-)

Installing a new planting bed can become overwhelming. If you're new to gardening, take some advise and don't try to do too much, too soon. Start by clearing the grass out just around the tree trunk - but this is a very important step - remove all the grass you can. If you think something like landscape cloth is going to end you weed worries, guess again. Mulch heavily between your plants. I would suggest using the pine needles that you rake up.

Begin slowly and add to the bed over time, you will become addicted.

Good luck
j