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| Photo Credit: Andy Bame |
| Clear away any mulch to make sure the rootball is planted in the soil. |
Despite the task of having to replant them every year, gardeners love annuals. They provide abundant color, require little care besides watering and offer the flexibility of trying something new the next year. Annuals are most commonly planted in spring, although summer and fall may also be appropriate for planting in some regions. But no matter where you live, one thing is the same: Proper planting technique can go a long way toward growing healthy annuals.
Annuals are typically available in packs of three to six plants, or they come in small containers usually no larger than in a 6-inch pot. A common mistake in selecting annuals is to look only at the flowers. Remember that that flower is only gonna be around for a couple days – it’s the leaves that are going to support future growth and flowering! So look for healthy, green leaves that cover the soil. If the leaves are gnarled-looking or if the plant appears unusually compact, pass it by – it may have been stunted sometime during development. | Add Photo to Journal |  | | Photo Credit: Andy Bame | | Use a spade to dig a hole deep enough that the rootball is covered, but not so deep that the plant is buried. |
If you must delay planting your annuals once you bring them home, that’s okay – most plants will be fine in the original container for a couple weeks – just don’t forget to water them! Plants left in containers tend to dry out quickly since they’re generally sold at “full size” for the growing container. (Even if you plan to plant your annuals immediately after you return from the garden center, make sure the plants are wet just prior to planting – especially if it’s a warm day.)
Now how do you get your precious little growers out of their cell packs and into your garden? Have you ever tried to remove a plant from the pack, and you tear the top off? It’s a frustrating experience! Instead of forcing the plant out while holding the cell pack down, loosen the rootball from the cell pack first by squeezing around the plastic cell and pushing up on the bottom. If the plant still won’t pull out easily, check the bottom of the cell pack to see if the roots have grown through the drainage holes. (Sometimes the roots intertwine, essentially locking the plants in place.) If this has happened, simply trim those roots off with pruners or a pair of scissors – or just tear them apart – the plant won’t miss ’em.
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