Growing annuals
How to garden with annuals
Favorite annuals - cosmos
Cosmos are lovely, easy-to-grow annual favorites
Modern annual flowers are bred for color through the season, and that makes them great supporting players for perennials.
They are excellent at filling gaps when perennials are still small. They also take a starring role in container gardening.
If you're a beginner gardener, annual flowers are easy to plant and maintain, they're the best way to get your feet wet learning the tricks of growing things.
Three secrets to success with annuals
1. Planting and spacing: Plant transplants closely so they fill in quickly. Usually, the tag will say to plant 8 to 12 inches apart, so pick 8 inches for a great show of flowers more quickly. I actually take a ruler into the garden, or measure off the spacing with my trowel. If the plants are a bit pot-bound (roots circling around), cut an X into the bottom with a knife or use your fingers to tease them apart so they make better contact with soil.
2. Watering: Annuals need water to thrive. Water them deeply two to three times a week after planting. The moist soil will encourage good growth. For the best show of color all summer, don't let up on the watering.
3. Feed your plants: Once a week, feed your plants with a balanced all-purpose 20-20-20 fertilizer that you mix with water. You'll find traditional or organic fertilizers - either will do the job. One good organic is fish emulsion, which I like to mix together with a kelp-based fertilizer. Your annuals will grow even better if you mix some compost or manure into your soil before you plant.
Sun or shade
Plant tags usually tell you whether a plant prefers sun or shade. Sun means they can take sunshine all day, but they'll also do well with four to six hours, especially if it's in the afternoon.
The important part to remember for shade plants is that they will take some sun, but not the strong sun that burns down all afternoon. Morning sun is better for these plants.
Appealing annuals:
Easy annuals - to grow from seed
Edible flowers - pansies, nasturtiums and more
Geraniums - types and growing tips
Impatiens - how to plant, care tips
Impatiens - how to grow them from seed
Dutch Gardens, Inc.
Sunflowers - types, good cutting varieties,
growing tips
Sunflowers - how to grow from seed
Sweet peas - growing information
Summer-flowering bulbs
Not technically annuals, but like annuals, the following summer bulbs must be replanted each season as they're not hardy in northern regions:
Dahlias - growing and care tips
Gladiola bulbs - how to grow, care guide
Summer bulbs - how to overwinter them
For more information:
Free $20 off any order of $50 or more on flowers at Henry Fields!
Container gardening - a favorite way to grow annual flowers
Easy-care perennials - Flowers that grow themselves
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