How to Properly Prepare An Annual Flower Bed this Summer

Now that you have chosen the annuals that you want to highlight in your garden this summer, you need to have a planting plan in place that’s going to show them off so they grow strong and healthy all season long. Annuals plants are unique because you have to replant them every year but they provide a great amount of vibrant color and require little care besides normal irrigation. Plus, you have the flexibility to try a new look every year, how fun is that?

Regardless of what annuals you choose, there are some things to take into consideration to make sure your annuals bloom into a show-stopping garden. Here are some quick tips to help you get there.

When to Plant Annuals

First, make sure you buy annuals that are meant to stand the heat. it’s recommended to plant annuals as soon as you buy them and make sure you give them some moisture right away, especially if it’s a hot day. If you bought summer annuals in the spring and plant them too early, the cold Northeast spring nights will stunt their growth and cause them to rot.

How to Arrange Annual Gardens

Before planting your summer annual flowers, it’s a smart idea to arrange them in their pots in the pattern you plan to plant them in. Make sure you know what the mature size of each plant will be so you can properly space them apart. You can also plan to arrange the pattern of color you’re looking for and plant them by size – You don’t want the tallest plants up front and the rest hidden in your annual flower bed.

Prepare a Flower Bed

Time to get out your gardening tools! Start by loosening up the soil and use a spade to make a hole that’s deep enough to cover the root ball but not so it will bury your annuals. Then gently compact the soil to cover the root ball and anchor your plants.

Best Time to Fertilize

Whenever you plant annuals it’s very important to fertilize to get maximum growth. Use an all-purpose granular fertilizer and sprinkle it around your annuals after planting or you can choose to combine it with the soil before you plant. No matter when you apply the fertilizer, be sure to use a fertilizer that’s right for your summer annuals and check the label to use the correct dosage.

Add Water and Mulch and Watch Them Grow!

Once you have all your annual plants in place, it’s important to immediately water them and then add a layer of mulch on top of the soil to help retain the water and keep the roots cool. As always, make sure to water your annuals for the first couple of weeks to let the roots grow and the plants bloom. The last thing you want is to plant these gorgeous annual flowers and have them go to waste.

The best part of planting annuals is that you have plenty of options to get a unique and personal look that’s perfect for your outdoor landscape. If you need any help with your annuals, other flowers, or even specialty gardens, give us a call and our landscape professionals will come examine your property, recommend the annuals that are well suited for your space, install them, and help you with a plan to care for your annuals all summer long.

If you’re in the Hudson Valley, call us at (845) 463-0592. If you’re in Westchester County, call (914) 271-7996; from Connecticut, dial (203) 212-4800. Or, fill out our contact form, and we’ll contact you about setting up your free consultation.