Gardening questions cropping up now that spring is here? We have you covered! Check back every week for answers to the most frequently asked gardening questions.
5) What Plants Are Easy and Fool-Proof?
As my friend Philip Watson says “There are good reasons these plants flourish along the highways.” and he is talking about four plants that are determined to exist with or without you.
Peonies– One of the most beautiful and fragrant plants I know, peonies will live longer than most of us, upwards of 100 years. Peonies love full sun and cold winters as the chill of the winter helps bud formation. When planting, don’t plant deep! The root base should be only 2 inches below the soil surface.
Butterfly Bush– This colorful shrub attracts butterflies and hummingbirds with its vibrancy and fragrance. The stunning blooms will last through the summer well into autumn. And no need to fertilize, as too much will support leaf production, not flower growth.
Daylilies– Often called the “perfect perennial” the Daylily is known for its color, ability to thrive almost everywhere, its drought resistant and has the ability to thrive in wet areas. The Daylily blooming period can last from one to five weeks, and the “rebloomer” variety blooms twice a season. Maybe one of my favorite things about daylilies is the way Philip describes them; “The Daylily knows what it’s doing even if you don’t. You can plant it upside down, sideways and backwards, in a pot, in a garden, anywhere. It doesn’t need fertilizer, good soil, bad soil, doesn’t matter.”
Rose Of Sharon - There is a reason we find this flowering plant all over rental properties. The Rose of Sharon is a wonderful hedge plant, is drought tolerant and blooms in the late summer into the fall when other blooming plants have come and gone. A type of Hibiscus, the Rose of Sharon has an “exotic” looking flower which appeals to many garden enthusiasts.
If you haven’t already, be sure to add one of these no-maintenance beauties to your outdoor space and simply let them do their own thing. Show-offs….
6) When Do I Fertilize My Perennials?
Fertilizing your perennials before they bloom in spring is key. A reminder I use is “April showers bring May flowers.” It makes sense that by fertilizing now, the seasonal rain we get will help dissolve the fertilizer and also pull it down deeper in the soil right to its roots.
I think of feeding my plants this way: plants like people need nutrition. Could we survive on bread and water? Sure, but we’d be weak and very unhealthy without the nourishment we get from a varied diet of fruits, vegetables, and proteins. For our plants to be their best too, they need the right sustenance as well. Here are a few fundamentals to help your plants be the best they can be:
- Less is more with fertilizing perennials. Most perennials are light feeders. Over-fertilizing puts undue stress on plants.
- Blooming plants want higher doses of potassium and phosphates and a lower percentage of nitrogen in the formula.
- Perennials such as Coleus and like foliage plants that do not flower or go to seed require less fertilizer too.
- Heavy feeding perennials such as peonies, mums, and daylilies should be given bone meal in the fall and then give them another second feeding in the summer.
- So not to forget our annual friends, annuals require more fertilizer because of their one and only, short life cycle.
- Established plants in your garden need a treat, so a good sprinkling of fertilizer around each plant is a kind act.
Whether a “thank you” or “welcome back” fertilizing, any correct fertilizing is a small token for our green friends for all of the color, shape and enjoyment they give us the season long!
7) When and How Do I Water My Garden and Potted Plants?
Watering questions are varied and numerous because there are no hard and fast rules. Do not get overwhelmed by the many factors of properly watering; type of plant, climate, weather conditions, soil, exposure, season. Take a deep breath and let the look of the plant and feel of the soil direct your watering care.
There are some basic rules of thumb (“green thumb” that is) I use as a guide for my container/potted plants:
How much to water potted plants - Drainage is the key to healthy roots and flourishing plants. If your container allows, drainage holes on the sides as well as on the bottom is ideal. Dry surface soil is an obvious signal to water and you may want to water your container plants more than once a day. Yet, differences in pot, plant size and amount of plants in each, will impact how quickly the soil dries out. Again it’s best to watch and determine watering schedules for each container. And remember, no potted plant wants to sit in water so less is more until the plant lets you know its watering needs. Some plants may need water only once or twice a week, succulents once or twice a month.
How to water potted plants– Focus on the root base of each plant, not the foliage. When watering, direct spout to the base of the plant, do not water from above through the leaves down to the soil. You can tell that you have reached through to the roots by watching for water coming out of the drainage holes.
When to water– In warm weather, mornings are the ideal time to water outdoor plants. This gives plants a chance to drink before the hot sun of late morning. I strongly advise against watering in the evening because if the foliage stays wet all night long this will create a base for disease. But of course, if at the end of the day one of your plants is wilting, give it a small amount of water to hold it until the morning feeding. With your plants in your garden or on your property (not in containers) consider a good drench every 3 or 4 days. This will give the roots a reason to reach further into the earth to find their own water source and enhance its strength and growth.
And of course don’t forget to “water” yourself too – be well!
Have more questions, ask below and check out our Gardening Guide for more helpful tips and to shop our selection of garden and outdoor items!
- Barbara