| Popular with new and more experienced gardeners | | | | packs, which are a sort of multi-pack. Whenever buy |
| alike, annuals are some of the most beautiful, lively, and | | | | plants to transplant, make sure that you plant them as |
| interesting of all flowers. The massive diversity of | | | | soon as possible. If you can't plant them immediately, |
| annuals, their wide range of colors and styles, and their | | | | then make sure to keep the plants in a shaded area |
| ease of care make annuals an in-demand choice for | | | | and water them regularly. Remember to also water |
| gardens everywhere. | | | | the planting area so that you can moisten the soil well |
| Do you know what makes and annual plant truly an | | | | before you put your new annuals in the ground. |
| annual? For an annual to really be an annual, the plant | | | | When using annuals in your garden it is important not |
| must finish its entire life phase in one planting season. | | | | to plant them too early in the season. The soil should |
| The seeds germinate, the flowers bloom for the spring | | | | be warm and the air temperatures should be stable |
| and summer months, the plant lays its seed and the | | | | before planting any annuals. To get the annual plant out |
| plant then dies, all in one planting cycle. | | | | of its packaging, lift the seedlings gently out of their |
| There are some plants that are treated as annuals but | | | | packs by pushing on the bottom of the container. Try |
| are not truly annuals. Some sensitive perennial plants | | | | to make sure that the plant and its soil comes out |
| are used as annuals and replanted each year, | | | | intact. |
| especially in colder northern regions. While these plants | | | | If the roots of the plant are compressed, loosen them |
| could regenerate in warmer planting zones, in colder | | | | by tenderly breaking up the root ball or cut the sides |
| zone they are can't re-germinate and are planted as | | | | using a small knife. Doing this will promote deeper |
| annuals instead. | | | | rooting and longer plant life after the plants have been |
| Conversely, some annuals are used as perennials. | | | | put into the ground. |
| Some varieties of annuals drop such a large amount | | | | Make sure that you plant your annuals in the ground at |
| of seed in the fall that the seeds are able to germinate | | | | the same depth in which they came in the packs. |
| and bloom the next year. The plants are not perennials, | | | | After placing the plants in the ground, gently pack the |
| but their seeds simply germinated and took root, and | | | | soil down around the annual and water the area |
| proceeded to bloom the following year. Some of the | | | | thoroughly. You should then apply a good fertilizer that |
| more common perennial impersonators include | | | | is phosphorus-rich. Apply the fertilizer at a strength of |
| snapdragons and petunias. | | | | two tablespoons of fertilizer per gallon of water. |
| There are several ways in which you can start | | | | Following these steps will help get your annual garden |
| annuals in your garden, either by planting them as seed, | | | | off to an excellent start. In no time you will have a |
| buying seedlings (or smaller plants), or buying more | | | | garden filled with vibrant annual flowers. |
| established plants. Many annuals can be bought as cell | | | | |