Annuals are amongst the most popular of all blooming plants, loved by garden enthusiasts all over the world for their color, hardiness, variety and charm. Since annuals should be planted afresh every year, however, it is essential to start them effectively in order to have a fresh dynamic garden.
What sets annuals apart from other varieties of plants like perennials and bulbs is that annuals complete their entire life cycle within a single season. That implies they grow from seed, grow, bloom, then die to ground all within one growing season.
Most types of annuals can be successfully started from seeds, and lots of experienced garden enthusiasts choose to grow their plants from seed. Growing from seed provides a higher degree of control, and a lower costs as well. Most kinds of annuals can be successfully seeded straight in ready seed beds. That technique permits the annuals to be begun indoors and then transplanted outdoors at a later date.
For those who prefer not to grow their annuals directly from seed, they can also be acquired as all set to plant transplants. This approach permits the garden enthusiast to see the results of his/her efforts quicker, and it can also permit the garden enthusiast to choose the healthiest, most robust plants.
Most annual ranges, whether they are purchased on the web or straight from a garden center, will consist of some sort of guideline sheet detailing the advised care, the very best time to plant, the finest planting depth and the recommended plant spacing. If this information is not supplied, it is necessary to ask about these things.
Some annuals that are recommended for planting in late winter or early spring can be planted rather in late fall where the weather condition is warmer. In addition, many annuals planted outdoors need to be thinned out to their advised spacing once they have developed their first true leaves.
If annual seeds are to be begun inside your home for transplant at a later date, it is essential that the seedlings have access to a source of light for a minimum of 16 hours every day. Seedlings that do not get enough light will be spindly and weak, and they may be not able to survive the rigors of the outdoors.
Many summertime annuals should be seeded indoors from 6 to 8 weeks prior to the first frost. When planting seeds, it is necessary to thoroughly follow the instructions on the label. Seeds must constantly be started in a sterile seed beginning mix, and the seeding flats you use need to provide appropriate drainage.
It is very important to wait up until all danger of frost has passed before planting tender ranges of annuals. The factor for this is that even if tender annuals are able to endure the lower temperature levels, they will not grow well until the soil is warm.
Winter season annuals, on the other hand, need to be planted a minimum of six weeks prior to the date the first frost normally occurs. This time is needed to provide the roots sufficient time to develop before winter season sets in.