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transplant shock. Water the plants and the soil they are to be planted in well. Then, dig a hole a little bigger than the root ball. Remove the plant from the pot and loosen the roots if needed. Place the plant in the hole and gently pack the soil around the plant to ensure good contact with the roots. It should be at the same level it was in the pot.

Watering

When your plants are new, you need to be sure to keep them well-watered until they start developing new growth. The soil should be damp, but not soggy. If you pick up a handful and give it a squeeze, it should wring out a few drops, not a puddle. Too much water can lead to root rot.

After this point, your plants will thrive on about an inch or so per week. Deep watering is best, as it encourages strong, deep roots. Soaker hoses are excellent for achieving this. You can water overhead if you prefer, but be sure to avoid getting too much water on the foliage. It also helps to water early in the day so the water can evaporate before the sun goes down. Too much water on the leaves can lead to disease.

Maintenance

Maintaining your plants is the easy part. A layer of mulch at least a couple of inches thick will help make watering easier and more efficient. A bonus is that it makes your flower bed more attractive and the colors stand out even more. It also helps to keep the weeds down, making your job much easier.

Weeding is another important job when caring for your plants. Weeds can detract from the beauty of your garden, plus they can bring garden pests and disease. Not to mention, they are taking vital nutrients away from your plants. For these reasons, it is best to keep them out of your garden. It is advisable to visit your plants every few days, and catch the weeds while they are young. They are easier to pull this way, and they don't have a chance to take root.

Another important (but very easy) step in caring for your annuals is dead heading. Dead heading means removing the faded blooms. This serves a few purposes. First, it just makes the plant look better. Nobody wants to look at a bunch of dead flowers. Second, decaying plant matter attracts insects. Removing them will help keep the plants healthy. Third, removing the spent blooms will help to encourage more blooms, making the plant more attractive.

You can choose to prune your plants, but be sure to check the needs of your individual plant first. Some annuals do not take well to heavy pruning. Most plants will do well by having the top pinched. This prevents the plant from getting spindly-looking and makes the plant become bushier.

If you choose only a few or a whole garden of annuals, they can provide you with an instant boost of intense colors and interest in your garden. Used to spruce up a perennial bed or fill in during colder months, they can keep your garden ever-changing. One of the beautiful things about annuals is that your garden can stay gorgeous year-round.

Learn more about this author, Jenna Marshall.
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