Do you have your summer annuals picked out yet? If so, I bet you are eager to get them planted in the ground! Although annuals must be replanted each year, they are the best way to really make your garden stand out from the rest. It’s always fun to visit garden centers to see what the latest new flowers. It’s also the perfect time to snatch up your tried and true favorites.
Before planting your annuals, read the tips below to help you get the most out of the flowers in your garden.
Best Time To Plant Summer Annuals
It’s always a good idea to get annuals planted and established into your Nashville landscape as soon as possible. After the last freeze is a perfect time to plant annuals in order to give them the best chance to survive our Nashville summer heat. Be careful with fragile annuals such as basil. The saying goes, “If you need a sweater outside, then it’s too cold for basil.”
Prepping Your Flower Beds
- First, you will need to cut back any perennials or ornamental grasses left from last season.
- Next, clean away any debris that has fallen and toss any dead or diseased plants being sure not to add diseased plants to your compost pile.
- Adding at least 6″- 8″ of compost or dehydrated manure, shredded leaves, or other organic material to an existing bed will help your new annuals get the nutrition they need. In our own Nashville landscape, we are always amazed at how compact the soil can become in just one growing season making adding nutrients a must each spring.
- Also, testing the soil helps you know exactly what your garden needs. The local Cooperative Extension Service will do this for free. You may obtain a special box with instructions from them.
- Putting down a herbicide will keep weeds somewhat under control as does being vigilant about getting weeds out that do come up before they go to seed.
- Adding a thick layer of mulch, after you have planted your annuals and new perennials, will help keep weeds out of your Nashville landscape as well.
Once you are through prepping you flower beds for annual flowers, have fun picking out flowers at you local garden center and seeds from catalogs. Consider adding some edibles like herbs or even fruit bearing bushes, such as dwarf blueberries, as a way to incorporate useful, as well as beautiful plants to your landscape!
You may also like:
Seasonal Color Program for Nashville Gardens
Five Benefits of Planting Annuals
When to Apply Fertilizers and Compost to Your Garden
