Annuals (single season plants) tend to be the easiest to plant. They may be planted in a bed, a planter, a pot, or a basket. In a bed, follow the planting distance as written on the tag. Use a trowel or other digging tool and dig a small hole. Sprinkle a couple of big pinches of our high-phosphate organic fertilizer and water the plants in with root stimulator. Be sure and firm the soil around each plant with your hands. In a pot or basket, fill the planter half full with potting soil. Place the plant(s) in the planter and fill in more potting soil around them. It is good idea to use an organic fertilizer as well as root stimulator (root stimulator is optional in planters). Be sure to leave an inch or two unfilled at the top so you can water the plant well.
Pots and baskets need to be watered every day. One day of drying out completely may spell trouble. If you can’t water every day, you can use “Soil Moist” to retain moisture. Beds need to be watered deeply once or twice a week. To water deeply means to set your hose on a pencil sized trickle or use drip irrigation or soaker hose and water for an hour or so. An inch of rain in a week will also do the trick. Mulching always helps to retain moisture and keep weeds down to a minimum.
You may fertilize one of three ways: 1) use a liquid once every week or two; 2) use a granular such as Fertilome “Flower grower” once a month or Osmocote which lasts for 4 months; or, (3) feed with a granular organic formulation 3 times a season.
Herbs such as basil need the flowers constantly pinched back for maximum yield.
Lastly, hard as it may be, when you plant annuals cut off the existing flowers. This will encourage more profuse blooming.
Any questions feel free to send us an email for your lawn and garden needs.
The rain is about out of NWA. Stop by to sign up for our new loyalty program. We are stocked full of colorful annuals, vegetables and herbs. about 25 days ago
