Annuals
Annuals - Flowering Seasons
Annuals - Guide

Providing spectacular colour, these plants grow quickly from seed to maturity and flowering, then they die all within one season. They mostly flower in summer or winter, and sowing times should be consulted from the seed packaging.

One can plan a year-round colourful garden through the vast selection of annuals available.

Manipulating flowering times is possible by sowing, for instance, in early autumn for late autumn- and winter flowering.

This type of gardening is fun and always different, for it is a moving picture that works with the seasons.

• Deadhead to encourage ongoing flowering.

• Twist the stem and snap the bloom off.

• Stake groups of tall-growing flowers by encircling them with inserted twigs around.

• Mentioned below are flowering seasons of a few

Prep-work

With shallow root systems and being greedy feeders, the planting bed should be well prepared and the soil fertile at least 30cm deep.
Start
by breaking up the soil to this depth and removing any foreign matter. Work the soil through until a fine texture is obtained.
Enrich the soil
with generous amounts of organic matter, as much as you can get your hands on! Mix the soil/matter-combination thoroughly, again to the depth of 30cm. Add Superphosphate and 2:3:2, 60g of each p/mē, right before planting.
Finally
rake your soil surface to an even level and you are ready for sowing and/or planting.

This complete soil preparation is always necessary before new planting or sowing.

• To sow in situ (in the place where they will mature)
  is not advisable for all annuals, consult packaging for information on this. When sowing in situ, fine and object-free soil is absolutely essential and a good soaking prior to sowing will also help.
  Always ensure the seeds are fully covered with soil and water thoroughly, but gently. It is not always the easiest of methods, but fun and well worth trying.

• To plant seedlings
  often proves more successful, and can either be bought from a nursery or grown in containers. With already fully developed root systems and being stronger, these plants can withstand weather conditions and pest attacks better. The flowering period is sooner or one can even plant some annuals already in bloom. Those possible for planting out while flowering, can obviously be planted while still green, but it is not always a case of visa versa, for some plants are spent once in flower.

Soak
the little plants first; in order to get them out easier.

Loosen soil
around the plant with a fork and while pressing the surrounding soil lightly with one hand, pull the little plant gently, without damaging the roots.

Space seedlings
appropriately, according to its eventual mature size.

Keep the bed well watered, well drained and never allow it to dry out completely.

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