Annuals are known for their ability to bloom from early spring right up through the first frost of fall. We all know that most text books will tell you that an annual is defined as a plant whose entire life cycle only lasts a year and often less than that! Most people will plant their annuals in early spring normally by planting seeds or by transplanting small plants that they started growing indoors. Annuals are very popular because gardeners get a lot of bang for their buck because most annuals will flower all season long. It's unfortunate that they are temporary but they put on such a bountiful show that can't be matched by any other type of plant! One of the other great selling points of growing annuals in your garden is that they are cheap…. Especially if you grow them from seeds the are just about the cheapest thing you can put in your flower garden.

Another positive thing about using annuals to populate your garden is that there is an annual that comes in virtually ever shape and size. You can grow a ten foot sunflower or cover a fence with the ground covering morning glory. If you put your mind to it you can figure out how to use an annual for just about any situation. For example: hanging baskets, ground cover, flower boxes, or simply a economical way to always have cut flowers in your home.
Annuals really are amazing as they are capable of accomplishing so much in a very short period of time. Annuals are able to germinate, bloom, and hold their flowers longer than any of their competitors is quite the accomplishment. If you know the following basic things that annuals need to succeed you can take your annual flower garden to the next level.

First of all it is important to get your annual seeds in the ground either in your garden or in a container as soon as you are comfortable that spring is here to stay. … but be careful because if they are planted too early you run the risk of having your creation killed by a late spring frost. On the other hand if you play it too safe you run the risk of not giving your annual flowers enough time to germinate and produce their beautiful flowers.

Another important factor is to take into account what type of conditions the particular annual grows in. For the most part annuals enjoy being in a sunny location with in your garden…. As a rule of thumb you need to plant your annuals in an area that receives a minimum four ours of sun. But be warned that this is just a rule of thumb so make sure that you verify this before you plant the annuals you have chosen.

Annuals are known for being a tough plant and able to grow in a wide variety of soil types. You should keep in mind that you will achieve the best results if you plant your annuals in a loamy, well drained soil that some type of organic material added such as compost or peat. Make sure to check the back of your seed packing to ensure your particular annuals do not require any special attention. In addition I always like to make sure my newly planted annuals get plenty of water over the first few days to ensure they get a good start.

You do need to be careful in order to avoid over watering. Most annuals are very drought tolerant but you should plan on watering them with some sort of consistency. The annuals soil can be allowed to dry out slightly but you really need to be careful that it is not always overly wet!.. wet soil is a perfect location for diseases to germinate. Also always make sure that your watering the soil the plant is in with out getting the leaves of the annual wet.

In order to have a beautiful and bountiful garden of annuals it is important to keep an eye on them. You should always be on the look out for the first or early signs of pest or disease problems. If you are able to catch the problem early it is much easier to nip the problem and your annuals will not be effected. But if the problem if left unchecked you may loose your annuals for the entire season and will have to try again next year!

If you like Gardening....These pages might also interest you:

Allium Directory, Amaryllis Directory, Begonia Directory, Crocus Directory, Daffodils Directory, Dahlia Directory, Hyacinth Directory, Iris Directory, Lily Directory, Tulip Directory

Also see:

A Love Affair With Gardening, Charming Camillias, Firescaping, Gardening for the Family, Garden Rodents, Garden Catalogs, General Gardening Tips. Gardens in the Shade, Hot Summer Cool Garden, How to Plant Leeks, Involve Your Children, Outfits for Gardening, Photograph Your Garden, Plant Care Basics, Using Leaves as Compost, What to Avoid Buying Guide, Cheap Garden Ideas, Creating Garden Berms, Garden Fragrances, Garden Lessons, Gardening for The Challenged, Gardening is Great, Gardening Math, Gardening Tools, How to Use Peat, More About Gardening, Love affair with Lilacs, Organic Gardening, Slow Down and Enjoy, Smart Plant Shopping, Tips for Beginners