Fernlea Flowers ~ Planting Tips and FAQ

Spring Planting Tips

And you can start planning before the snow melts

Planning your garden
For beginners it is important to draw a garden layout plan

• Choose plants suitable for the site (sun vs. shade, soil, etc)
• Arrange plants according to their height
• Arrange according to plant form and texture
• Arrange according to flowering periods for constant blooming
• Arrange in groupings by type and color considerations

Soil preparation
Prepare flower beds by spading deeply. Loosen up heavy clay and clay loam soil with addition of peat moss, sand, ground bark or compost. Add about 2 lbs of 5-10-5 fertilizer per 100 sq ft or 1 lb of 10-10-10 per 100 sq ft and turn the soil over again. Then rake it smooth, and the bed will be ready. For more information see soil smarts.

Preplanting care
If you buy bedding plants but can't plant them the same day, water packs or flats thoroughly and put them in shade to prevent excessive wilting. Evenings of cloudy days are the best times to plant. If you have to plant during the heat of the day or on sunny days be sure plants are watered thoroughly immediately after planting.

Marigolds

Petunias

How to plant
Annuals come in market packs, pop out packs, trays, flats or individual pots. Choose plants that are dark green, vigorous looking and short in height. If plants are in individual containers, gently separate plants keeping as much soil around the roots as possible. Plant the root ball below the soil line. Plant individual peat moss pots slightly below the soil line to keep the pot from drying out by exposure to air.

Watering
Bedding plant annuals are thirsty plants. Water them thoroughly to give them a good start. Thereafter water whenever the soil begins to dry. Do it early in the day. Don't be satisfied with just sprinkling the foliage since plants will not receive enough water, and moisture on the foliage for more than 24 hours encourages plant disease.

After planting care
To promote bushy, vigorous growth and more continuous blossoming, pinch out the central buds of annuals such as tall snapdragons, zinnias and marigolds. The tops of plant which tend to vine such as petunias should be cut back to 3 to 4 inches when they are too tall. Fertilize every 3 to 4 weeks (1 pinch per plant or 1 lb. per 100 sq. ft. of 5-10-5 fertilizer).

Vacation tip: Cut your plants back before you leave and when you return they will be fresh, thriving and vigorous.

Spring Annuals - Frequently Asked Questions

Q ~ Can I plant Impatiens in full sun?
A ~ Impatiens prefer partial sun to shade.

Q ~ What is the difference between a Seed Geranium and a Zonal Geranium?
A ~ Seed Geranium is grown from seed, Zonal Geranium is grown from a cutting.

Q ~ How often should I water my Hanging Baskets?
A ~ You should water the Hanging Basket only when the soil is dry to the touch.

Q ~ When is the best time to water my plants?
A ~ Early morning is the best, because the plants have a chance to soak up the moisture. Watering late in the evening can promote disease in the plants.

Q ~ What is the difference between an Annual and a Perennial?
A ~ An Annual goes through its life cycle in one summer, and a Perennial will bloom summer after summer.

Q ~ What is a Premium Annual?
A ~ A Premium Annual is a plant grown from a cutting.

Q ~ When is the best time to plant Vegetables?
A ~ Once there will not be anymore heavy frosts, usually after Mothers Day.

Q ~ What is the difference between a Sun Impatien and a regular Impatien?
A ~ A Sun Impatien is commonly known as a New Guinea Impatien and will tolerate sunny conditions.

Q ~ I love to plant Annuals but I hate to pull weeds, what can I do?
A ~ By using Landscape Fabrics and or Mulches you can help to prevent weeds from growing up in your garden.

Q ~ How much fertilizer should I use to make my flower beds look good?
A ~ Different plants need different fertilizers, fertilizing once every 2 weeks will promote strong healthy plant growth. Too much fertilizer can be bad.

Q ~ How far apart should I plant my Annuals?
A ~ Consult the care tag in the plant this will give you an idea of the height of the plant. A general rule is to plant them 1/2 to 2/3 the height of the plant.

See Spring Pansies
in our Greenhouse