This time of year, it’s tempting to look at our annuals, and think… “time to pull them.” But don’t give up on them just yet!
They may look scraggly, “leggy,” or less lush, or maybe just not as healthy. Just as we get tired and need a refresh, our plants do, too. We still have a couple of good months left before the cold sets in. Instead of pulling them out, try this:
Here’s How to Give Them a Refresh:
*Give Them a Good Trim. Cut them back by up to half their length using a sharp garden shear. Trimming encourages new, bushier growth and more blooms. Snip just above a set of leaves for best results and try to do it in the cool of the morning or evening.
*Boost with Vitamins. By late summer, plants are often short on nutrients. A good dose of liquid fertilizer, like Drammatic® Organic Fish Fertilizer, will deliver essential nutrients and green up the leaves. Apply every 2 weeks with a watering can and you’ll quickly see fuller, healthier growth.
*Water Thoughtfully. If the soil is dry, give them a deep drink. Use the simple finger test: stick your finger about 1-2 inches into the soil. If it feels dry at that depth, it’s time to water. Using a soft-flow Rain Wand™ will deliver hydration without damaging the annuals.
Within a week, I’m always amazed at how much healthier, fuller, and more vibrant they look.
Plants, like us, need a little tender loving care.
Bonus Tip: Start a garden diary. Write down what you planted this season and how you cared for it – when you trimmed, fertilized, and watered – and note how your plants responded. Then, during the long winter months, you can refer to this and dream about your next growing season to come.
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Tight on space? Go vertical! And your neighbors will thank you too. Click here for an interesting article with great ideas for planting vigorous Sun Parasol Giant mandevillas.
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