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As the season progresses annuals can become leggy and you may see fewer flowers. Here are some tips to keep your plants in top condition.
- Weeds compete with flowers for light, moisture and soil nutrients. Frequent weeding not only reduces the competition, but also breaks up the soil so that water can penetrate easily. A layer of mulch also
helps keep the weeds at bay.
- Pinching out the tops of your plants helps to make them bushier. Most annuals grown today are bred for bushy growth, but older varieties and plants that have become leggy will benefit from having the tops pinched out.
- Deadheading, or removing faded blooms, encourages the plant to put it's energies toward making new flowers. If you plan to save seeds, wait until the end of the season, and allow the last of the flowers to go to seed.
- Remove yellowing foliage to keep down diseases. If your plant becomes too dense, air may not be able to circulate well around the plant. This encourages diseases. You can remove a few inner stems to increase air circulation and light penetration.
KEEP YOUR ANNUALS
BUSHY AND BLOOMING
Do some work in your garden or with your potted plants. Even a tiny primrose or primula (the first rose of spring) can brighten up a dull spot. And, remember, every flower has an angel looking after it. Greet that angel today!
-Margaret Neylon
To organically control weeds in your walk or garden, try flaming them with portable gas torches that heat weeds to 2,000F. Flamers kill annual weeds on one pass, but perennial weeds such as dandelions need torching every 2 weeks.
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