Joanne is one of Gertens seasoned Annual House experts and here she shares her top ten list to help maintain your annual flowers through the season:
1. Water-check daily as weather, temperature, wind and the kind of container you're using all play a role in how much your plant needs. It's best to water in the morning giving the plant time to absorb before the midday sun. Some containers may need to be watered twice a day during extreme heat. Another way to check if your plant needs water is to feel the weight of the plant. Give them a good drink to soak the pot completely.
2. Don't overwater. If the soil is soaked avoid watering for the day.
3. Water the soil, not the plants or flowers. Avoid getting the blossoms wet.
4. Deadhead. Pinch off or clip any dead blossoms to encourage growth and keep your plant looking neat.
5. Fertilize. At least monthly for full strength or dilute and use every time you water. Start fertilizing approximately two weeks after planting and continue throughout the growing season.
6. Give your containers a haircut in midsummer. When baskets start to look "leggy", grab the clippers and give them a good haircut by trimming off the ends. They will bounce back and fill out in a week or two.
7. Midsummer is also a good time to replace any plants in your containers that fail. Use a spoon to dig out the old plant and replace with a new one.
8. Enjoy your garden daily, weed as needed and stay on the alert for any infestations.
