Do you know what makes and annual plant truly an annual? For an annual to really be an annual, the plant must finish its entire life phase in one planting season. The seeds germinate, the flowers bloom for the spring and summer months, the plant lays its seed and the plant then dies, all in one planting cycle.
There are some plants that are treated as annuals but are not truly annuals. Some sensitive perennial plants are used as annuals and replanted each year, especially in colder northern regions. While these plants could regenerate in warmer planting zones, in colder zone they are can't re-germinate and are planted as annuals instead.
Conversely, some annuals are used as perennials. Some varieties of annuals drop such a large amount of seed in the fall that the seeds are able to germinate and bloom the next year. The plants are not perennials, but their seeds simply germinated and took root, and proceeded to bloom the following year. Some of the more common perennial impersonators include snapdragons and petunias.
There are several ways in which you can start annuals in your garden, either by planting them as seed, buying seedlings (or smaller plants), or buying more established plants. Many annuals can be bought as cell packs, which are a sort of multi-pack. Whenever buy plants to transplant, make sure that you plant them as soon as possible. If you can't plant them immediately, then make sure to keep the plants in a shaded area and water them regularly. Remember to also water the planting area so that you can moisten the soil well before you put your new annuals in the ground.
When using annuals in your garden it is important not to plant them too early in the season. The soil should be warm and the air temperatures should be stable before planting any annuals. To get the annual plant out of its packaging, lift the seedlings gently out of their packs by pushing on the bottom of the container. Try to make sure that the plant and its soil comes out intact.
If the roots of the plant are compressed, loosen them by tenderly breaking up the root ball or cut the sides using a small knife. Doing this will promote deeper rooting and longer plant life after the plants have been put into the ground.
Make sure that you plant your annuals in the ground at the same depth in which they came in the packs. After placing the plants in the ground, gently pack the soil down around the annual and water the area thoroughly. You should then apply a good fertilizer that is phosphorus-rich. Apply the fertilizer at a strength of two tablespoons of fertilizer per gallon of water.
Following these steps will help get your annual garden off to an excellent start. In no time you will have a garden filled with vibrant annual flowers.
Flowers In The Garden
Gardening is one of the most popular hobbies in the world. It provides soothing therapy for some people especially when they see their work bloom in season. These are the sort of people who want to use their hands to make living things grow strong and healthy through their patience and hard work. Thus, gardeners often feel a strong connection with the soil and a powerful appreciation for beauty that only flowers can provide. The hours may be long and the work backbreaking, but the rewards of seeing a single flower bloom can lift all the hours and the aches away.
If you're looking for a new hobby or just something to do to spend idle time while at home, try gardening. Why? Well, one good reason is that a garden will definitely make your home look more attractive and beautiful. Besides that, the air in your private space will be cleaner and fresher since the plants absorb carbon dioxide to produce oxygen. Growing flowers is easy, if you have the time and patience for it. The tools are not that expensive and there are various resources in books, magazines and the Internet to help you with your project.
A small piece of land, tools, and knowledge is all you need to start a gardening project in your backyard. Here are some basic instructions:
1.Choosing the right spot. A sunny area with well-drained, fertile soil is the best for flowering plants. Make sure that the area is sheltered from strong winds that could defoliate and destroy the blooms.
2.Preparing the soil. Dig the soil thoroughly with a shovel until it is fine and loose. Add a large amount of compost or organic fertilizer to the top layer and mix it a bit with the soil. Fertilizers are vital to ensuring that your plants have all the nutrients they need for growing strong and healthy so make sure to do it properly.
3.Planting the seeds. You can buy the seeds at any department store or gardening shop here in the Philippines for a relatively cheap price. Follow the instructions in the package in planting the seeds. Depending on the requirement of your flowering plants, plant the seeds deep or only at the surface.
4.Watering. Water the seeds or plants at least twice a day. Moderate the amount of water as over-watering could kill your garden easily.
5.Fertilizing. Fertilize the flower bed periodically to make your flowers grow well.
6.Pest control. Always watch out for pests that could damage your flowers and take care of them early. Common pests are easily killed with the pesticides out in the market so ask your retailer for advice when you come down to buy.
7.Deadheading. Remove diseased, infested, rotting or old blooms and leaves. This will prevent the disease from spreading or attracting the pests. Also, the plants will bloom longer since dead flowers signal that the plant should start producing seeds.
These are only basic tips so make sure to read more details on creating your own garden. Happy gardening!
Both Ken Snowie & Timothy Spencer are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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