Dig Wisely This Year!

   The gardening passion we share cannot keep us out of the dirt! So here are tips for a successful, flowering garden this year. I like to minimize the mistakes & maximize the results!!

~ When planting your annuals, perennials & other transplants, remember to really break up the root ball. Remove all the soil if necessary to free up the roots. The peat they are often planted in will repel water anyway.

~ Feed your transplants with a slow release fertilizer. Then, every few weeks, water with a bloom boosting fertilizer. This will guarantee great blooms with minimal effort.

~ If you have municipal water, remember to dechlorinate your water before watering those container gardens. The chlorine will kill valuable organisms in your containers that cannot be replaced with the finite amount of soil. (see April 2012 blog)

~ Hand watering can never replace an inch of rain. So, really, really water deeply & consistently any new plantings this season when rain is scarce. A rain gauge will help you judge what’s needed week to week.

~ Keep your flowers tidy & flourishing by deadheading spent flowers & pinching to encourage fuller plants. Fuller plants = more blooms

~ Buy some flowers from a local grower instead of chain. Today I found all the beautiful, unusual annuals I was hoping for in one place. They even had a poster describing the problems with the common impatien & described the varieties they grow that are safe from the disease. I love that they feel a responsibility to inform. The chain stores are still selling impatiens to the uniformed consumer.

~ Keep a photo & written record of all your successes & failures so you will remember for next year!