3 of 4

Write now Article Tools

Growing annuals can be a pain for some people yet others seem to do it at whim with little or no effort. Annuals differ from other plants due to their longetivity. Annuals span from common vegetables such as tomatoes and pole beans to common flowers and herbs. Most of us should be familiar with annuals such as Basil, Tomatoes, Petunias, and Snapdragons.

First and foremost, each annual should be located in its appropriate spot with sufficient nutrients which it needs to live. Shade plants should be placed in a location which recieves shade for the most part of the day, especially during peak heating hours such as early afternoon. A lot of times, areas which recieve 10% or less daytime in the sun have very damp, soggy like soil. Make sure that the plant and soil moisture have a good affinity. You don't want a plant that loves dry shade to be in a swamp like condition and vice versa.

Test the soils Ph level. Some plants flourish in acidic soil while others desire alkaline soil. You can find a soil test kit at most nurseries and general stores. Depending on the soil Ph level, you can add or subtract certain ingredients in the soil to change it's Ph level. Adding pine needles or cedar cuttings can acidify the soil making acid loving plants flourish. Adding lime, the gray rocky substance, to the soil alkalinizes the soil for the others.

For sun loving plants, make sure that they recieve at least 70% sun during the daytime. This should be ample amount of light to meet their needs. Some sun loving plants, however, may wilt or have a similar effect when they recieve direct sunlight during the peak heating hours. To fix this problem, try planting them underneath or towards the base of small trees. The trees will act to filter some of the sunlight but only when it is directly overhead, during the peak heating hours. For those picky plants that desire both sun and shade it can get tricky. Try planting them beneath a canopy of lattice or around shrubs. This will act to give shade then sun, shade then sun, and so on throughout the day.

Watering plants is a very important task. Other than drowning and plant and starving it for water, the time you water the plants each day can affect their lifespan. Make sure when you water that its early in the morning or during the evening before dark. If watered during the day, the sun will evaporate a large portion of the water before the plants can absorb it. When watering during the evening hours, the water is absorbed into the ground waiting for the plant to absorb it all night long. Watering plants during the heat of the day may also "blackspot" the plants. Many people are familiar with the spots that appear on roses after watering during the day. The same effect happens to some annuals when watered during peak heat. The water droplets have a magnifying effect on the sunrays which more or less burn the plant. Watering during the evening and morning virtually eliminates this effect.

Make sure your plant has its nutrients. Some plants prefer differing nutrients than other plants. Make sure you fertilize your plants at least once a month with a good fertilizer. Fertilizer with a 20/20/20 rating works best. Plants need varying amounts of common minerals you're already familiar with such as nitrogen, magnesium, and potassium. Each solaces a plants various needs.

Learn more about this author, Derrick Wales.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about Recommendations for annuals?
We want to hear your view. Write now!