Starting Your Annuals Off Properly
Annuals are different from other garden flowers as they only last for one season.
During that time, however, they provide colorful blooms for the entire season. Annuals are among the most popular plants with gardeners everywhere and are much loved for their hardiness, color and variety. In order to get vibrant annuals in your garden you need to make sure you start them out properly.
Most types of annuals can be successfully started from seeds, and many experienced gardeners prefer to grow their plants from seed. Growing from seed provides a greater degree of control, and a lower costs as well. Most types of annuals can be successfully seeded directly in prepared seed beds. That approach allows the annuals to be started indoors and then transplanted outdoors at a later date.
Many gardeners don't want to grow their annuals from seed and you can purchase pre grown plants at your local garden center that you can simply transplant into the garden. This is great for garderns who are a bit impatient and like to see the fruits of their efforts right away. It also has the advantage of being able to inspect the plants and pick only the most healthy ones.
Most annual varieties, whether they are purchased on the internet or directly from a garden center, will include some sort of instruction sheet detailing the recommended care, the best time to plant, the best planting depth and the recommended plant spacing. If this information is not provided, it is important to ask about these things.
Some annuals that are recommended for planting in late winter or early spring can be planted instead in late fall where the weather is warmer. In addition, most annuals planted outdoors should be thinned out to their recommended spacing once they have developed their first true leaves.
If annual seeds are to be started indoors for transplantation at a later date, it is important that the seedlings have access to a light source for at least 16 hours every day. Seedlings that do not get sufficient light will be spindly and weak, and they may be unable to survive the rigors of the great outdoors.
Most summer annuals should be seeded indoors from six to eight weeks before the first frost. When planting seeds, it is important to carefully follow the directions on the label. Seeds should always be started in a sterile seed starting mixture, and the seeding flats you use should provide proper drainage.
Before planting annuals in the garden, make sure all threat of frost has passed. Annuals that are planted during lower temperatures will not grow to lush plants when it warms up.
Winter annuals, on the other hand, should be planted a minimum of six weeks prior to the date the first frost usually occurs. This time is needed to give the roots sufficient time to develop before winter sets in.
More Gardening Tips:
Hot Climate Annuals
Annuals add splashes of color to your garden all year long,
but you must choose plants that are suited to your climate in order to have lush thriving flowers.
How To Plant Annuals For Perfect Flowers
Annuals provide season long color to your garden and can be started from seed or purchased pre-grown from your local garden center.
Pest Control For Perennials
Perennials are great to have in the garden because they bloom season after season. This continuous blooming makes them special but also insure the need to be vigilant about garden pests.
How Insects Help Gardens
You might think of insects as garden pests, but may insects and birds play a vital role in pollinating plants and distributing seeds for new plant growth. In fact, without these animal and insect helpers, most plants would be unable to reproduce.
Preparing Proper Soil
Good soil is the key to growing healthy and vibrant flowers and should be the first thing you tend to when planning a new garden. You must make sure you soil has the right mixture of PH and nutrients before planting.
About Daffodils and Tulips
Bulbs are popular in gardens for their ability to bloom season after season, and perhaps the most popular bulbs of all are daffodils and tulips.
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