Container Gardening And Annuals

Annuals that do well when planted in containers include:

• Begonia
• Coleus
• Dracaena
• Geranium
• Impatiens
• Marigold
• Morning Glory Vine
• Pansy
• Petunia
• Phlox
• Sweet Pea
• Verbena
• Vinca

Annual Flowers For A Cutting Garden

Annuals that work well for a cutting garden include:

• Canna
• African Daisy
• Transvaal Daisy
• Larkspur
• Pot Marigold
• Pansy
• Poppy
• Snapdragon
• Sweet Pea
• Vinca
• Zinnia

Overwintering Geraniums

Overwintering geraniums is fairly straightforward. If they are in containers, you can simply move them indoors. Pinch back any stems that are extremely long and sprawling and remove any debris from the pots. Water your plants when they begin to dry out and place them in a location where they receive indirect light.

To overwinter geraniums that are planted directly in the garden, dig them up, shake off all excess soil and drop them into a paper grocery bag. Store the plants until early spring in a location that is not overly dry, but is not damp, either. In the spring, pot the plants up and begin watering them. Most of them should begin to grow and thrive.

Autumn Perennials

Autumn is the perfect time to plant perennials. They have the entire fall and winter season to establish themselves, so they are ready to really take off during the spring growing season. Here is a great selection of perennials for you to plant this fall: aster, blanket flower, cape fuschia, catmint, coreopsis, delphinium, gaura, lavender, nemesia, penstemon, scabiosa and salvia. Santa Barbara daisies, yarrow and verbena fill out the list. These hard working plants will fill your garden with color.

Skinning Bulbs

Bulbs often have layers of skin on them, similar to the skin on onions. This skin helps protect bulbs from disease and damage. When you lift bulbs to store them for the winter, you should carefully remove the soil, but leave the skin on the bulbs.

Planting Onions and Garlic

Since onions and garlic have similar traits, some people try to plant them together. However, there are several good reasons not to do this. They are:

1. Onions and garlic have different watering needs.

2. Growing these two plants close together could mean that you aren't giving the garlic enough room for the bulbs to fully develop.

3. Some people say their onions taste a bit like garlic when the two plants are grown together.

Chrysanthemums

Buy chrysanthemums in late summer as soon as they become available. Make sure to choose plants that have buds only or are just starting to form buds, rather than plants that are already in full bloom. This will give you a longer blooming time. Short, compact plants are better than long, leggy ones.

Iris

The best time to plant iris is in August or early September. They shouldn't be moved or transplanted before this, because they are in a semi-dormant state for the six weeks following their blooming period. This semi-dormant time is when iris are preparing themselves to produce flowers for the next year.

Dark Bulbs

When we think of colors in bulbs, usually, red, yellow, white, orange, purple, and pink come to mind. Not anymore! There are some wonderful dark bulbs available, including the black parrot tulip and the navy blue iris.

Longer Lasting Daffodils

Daffodils will last longer if you cut them above the white part of the stem at the base of the plant in the early morning hours. Immediately place them in very cold water in a cool place for an hour. You can add florist's preservative to the water in the vase, as well. Be sure to keep your bouquet away from sunny windows. The cooler a room is, the longer cut flowers last.

Gentian

Gentian is an excellent perennial for the fall garden. The plant is about two feet high and produces numerous dark blue flowers. Gentian can be grown in full sun or partial shade and prefers a moist soil with plenty of organic matter.

Fertilizing Bulbs

Bulbs expend quite a bit of energy blooming. To help keep them strong, you should fertilize your bulbs three times a year: at planting time, when the first shoots appear, and when the blooms have been spent.

Planting Peonies

The best time to plant peony tubers is in late September and October, as the plants grow dormant. Planting peonies in the spring is not the best idea, but you can do so if they haven't begun to grow yet. These plants do best in a sunny spot, with some shade. Plant your peonies approximately two inches deep in well drained soil. Be sure that the root eyes are facing up. You should topdress your peonies with bone meal each spring to keep them blooming strongly.

Perennial Borders for Full Sun

There are many perennials that thrive in full sun. Some easy care perennials are echinacea, daylilies, tickseed, shasta daisies and artemesia.

To plant your perennial border, you should begin by preparing the garden bed. Since perennial borders aren't replanted every year, be sure to add plenty of compost.

Japanese Anemone-Allergic Reactions

For people with sensitive skin, Japanese anemones may cause skin irritation. The sap inside the plant stems has caused reactions, so it is wise to wear gloves when working with these anemones. Be sure to wash your hands and arms thoroughly when you are finished working with the plants.

Mole Repellent

Crown imperials, a member of the bulb family, are a great addition to your garden. They have unusual and attractive flowers, plus the additional benefit of being a great mole and rodent repellent. Rodents just don´t like their smell!

Perennials - A Good Choice

Perennials are the most economical plants in your garden because they come back year after year. They may take up to three years to fully establish themselves, but the rewards are enormous! You can easily divide and take cuttings from perennials, to make more plants. In addition, their hardiness is quite amazing.

When to Plant Daffodils

Plant your spring flowering daffodils in late summer or early fall. Dig a hole that is at least 12 inches deep in a sunny location. Work in a complete balanced fertilizer and some organic matter for best results.

Weak Stems On Tall Plants

If your tall plants have good color and flower but lack sufficient strength to stand upright, it could be that they lack essential nutrients, such as phosphorous or potash. Crowding or too much nitrogen can also weaken stems.