05/21/2015

Beginner’s Tips for Growing Annuals

Memorial Day is the traditional start to the gardening season for many Michigan gardeners. For beginning gardeners, planting annuals may be a good first step when gardening. But first, what is an annual? An annual is defined as a plant that completes their lifecycle in a single season. Annuals are relatively easy to plant and care for. They typically have beautiful flowers and are sometimes also referred to as bedding plants. They grace almost every garden and provide season-long color to your garden until freezing temperatures, signaling the onset of winter, kill them off. Unlike perennials that overwinter and come back from the roots the next season, they will not come back.

Normally annuals are purchased in the spring after the threat of frost has passed. You can find annuals at your local garden center in many sizes – from seed, to small packs, or large containers. Smaller sizes are more economical, but require more time to mature. Larger sizes fill in quickly and provide an immediate effect to your landscape or containers.

Annual plants have many advantages:

• They have a long flowering season, usually from early spring until they die in the fall. On the other hand, perennials and shrubs have a much shorter bloom time, usually lasting only a few weeks.
• Annuals are relatively inexpensive.
• Annuals are very easy to grow and require little maintenance provided that you have them placed in the right location.
• They are temporary. If you don’t like the results this year, you can completely change things for the next season.
• Annuals are versatile. The come in a wide range of colors, sizes and textures. Many annuals perform best in direct sun and warm weather. Others prefer shade and /or cooler temperatures. Most are grown for their colorful flowers, but some are prized for their colorful or interesting foliage.

Containers a great place to begin
One of the easiest ways to grow annuals is in containers. Annuals work well in any type of container – from colorful pots, to window boxes and hanging baskets. They work well when planted alone or in combination with other plants.

When planting containers, make sure they have adequate drainage. If the pot does not have a drainage hole, you may be able make one, insert another smaller container inside the original pot or cover the bottom of the container with a layer of small stones. Purchasing a planting mix from your garden center will help ensure success as they have proper mix of elements to provide proper drainage and aeration.

Just like other plants that are grown in containers, annuals require regular water and fertilization throughout the growing season. During hot dry weather, your plants may need watering at least once a day. Mixing water-soluble fertilizer into your watering regime about once every two weeks will keep annuals preforming at the top of their game. You should also deadhead expired blooms to encourage the plants to keep the new blooms coming.

Planting into the landscape
To transplant annuals that have been purchased from your local garden center, use a small trowel to dig a hole for the plant that will bring the transplanted soil just a pinch above the level of your garden. Do not bury too much of the stem. If you are planting multiple plants, make sure to look on the label that should have came with the plants to ensure that you plant them the proper distance apart. The label will also provide information about light and watering preferences. Next, it is important to water the transplants somewhat heavily about 2-3 times a week. For the best growth, use a water-soluble fertilizer every other week, or according to package directions.

Annuals are some of the most beautiful flowers found in gardens. Due to the relative ease of growing, they are also a stepping-stone for beginners that wish to enter the wonderful world of gardening. Following a few simple tips will lead to beautiful results you can enjoy all summer long. So, with Memorial Day behind us, and spring in full swing, it is time for Michigan gardeners to get planting.