Annuals are the names given to flowers that complete their life cycle in one season. The annual flower in the garden will grow to maturity, set their seeds and then die when the weather gets cold. Most annuals will
provide flowers abundantly during the entire growing season.
There are plenty of plants that are only annuals in the colder regions of the north United States. These same plants are used as perennials in the extreme southern areas where it doesn't frost. This is the reason some of these popular flowers will be listed as tender perennials in gardening books. They are sold and used as annuals elsewhere in the country.
Soil warmth and preparation
It is best to not plant annuals too early in spring. Most will need the soil to have warmed sufficiently and for the temperatures to also be stable. Don't plant annuals until all danger of frost has passed for your region. The exception to this is the few cool-weather annuals that can survive frost, such as pansies.
It is always a good idea to prepare the soil before doing any planting and annuals are no exception. Plants grown in the garden are only going to be as good as the soil. The soil is the foundation of a healthy plant. Work organic materials into the soil to improve the nutrients and drainage. This can include peat moss, grass clippings, leaves or compost. There are also several good choices available to purchase in bags for convenience. Some of these bags have a combination of organic ingredients to enrich the soil as well as to improve drainage in clay soils.
Ways to purchase
There are several ways to purchase annual flowers to add to the garden. The least expensive way to buy annuals are seed packets, but they will require more patience. Seed packets are so inexpensive that they allow for experimentation without breaking the budget. Annuals are also readily available at garden centers in what is known as cell packs. These consist of small seedlings planted typically in groups of four, six or eight. Each seedling will be separate and easy to plant.
There are plenty of plants that are only annuals in the colder regions of the north United States. These same plants are used as perennials in the extreme southern areas where it doesn't frost. This is the reason some of these popular flowers will be listed as tender perennials in gardening books. They are sold and used as annuals elsewhere in the country.
Soil warmth and preparation
It is best to not plant annuals too early in spring. Most will need the soil to have warmed sufficiently and for the temperatures to also be stable. Don't plant annuals until all danger of frost has passed for your region. The exception to this is the few cool-weather annuals that can survive frost, such as pansies.
It is always a good idea to prepare the soil before doing any planting and annuals are no exception. Plants grown in the garden are only going to be as good as the soil. The soil is the foundation of a healthy plant. Work organic materials into the soil to improve the nutrients and drainage. This can include peat moss, grass clippings, leaves or compost. There are also several good choices available to purchase in bags for convenience. Some of these bags have a combination of organic ingredients to enrich the soil as well as to improve drainage in clay soils.
Ways to purchase
There are several ways to purchase annual flowers to add to the garden. The least expensive way to buy annuals are seed packets, but they will require more patience. Seed packets are so inexpensive that they allow for experimentation without breaking the budget. Annuals are also readily available at garden centers in what is known as cell packs. These consist of small seedlings planted typically in groups of four, six or eight. Each seedling will be separate and easy to plant.
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- Let the soil warm and all danger of frost to pass before planting most annuals.
- No matter the soil or weather condition, there will be an annual to fit the need.
- Even though annuals complete their life cycle in one season, many self-sow their seeds in the garden.
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