Gardens

Annual Flowers Care

Mulching, Fertilization, Cultivation

Annual flowers are not difficult to grow. However, they can-not be planted, left alone, and expected to produce masses of color and healthy plants. Mulching, fertilization and cultivation go hand-in-hand with success.

A mulch can save you labor and time in watering and weeding. It will help prevent crusting, excessive weed growth and evaporation of moisture from the soil. A mulch may be chosen from a list of materials. Depending upon availability, cost, ease of handling you may choose from pine straw, pine bark, or slightly decomposed leaves. Usually a 2" to 3" layer of straw, leaves, or pine bark will do a good job. It should be applied immediately after transplanting or after the seedlings are large enough to be covered with the mulch material.

Usually a monthly fertilizer application of one pound of 8-8-8 or 10-10-10 per 100 square feet of flower bed will be adequate. Uniformly spread it over the bed, exercising care not to get it directly on the plants. A good rinsing of the foliage and a thorough soaking of the soil are added precautions.

Cultivation should be fairly limited with just enough to keep the soil from crusting and to remove any weeds. A light scratching with a small fork or trowel will be adequate. Mulches reduce the need for this activity. As your flowers grow the root system continues to spread. Cultivation other than very shallow scratching may damage your plants.

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