DIY Network

Long Live the Annuals If you've just emptied your wallet buying annuals, you'll want these tips for extending their blooms. From "The Dirt On..." episode DTDO-107

A few simple tricks will help you get more bloom out of your annuals.

Everyone loves annuals. Who isn't tempted to load up a cart full of beautiful color every time you hit the nursery? The only problem is how fast the cost adds up.

When you're talking about flowers that have to be replaced when the blooms go bust, that could mean a pretty big dent in your wallet. You can extend the life of these one-hit-wonders but you have to work for it. Here are some easy grooming tips to keep them growing strong the whole season long.

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Figure A

Dealing With Weed Invaders

One thing that's sure to shorten your plant's life is something you may not be aware you're bringing home from the nursery — hitchhiking weeds. Weeds will compete with your plants for nutrients so you really want to nip them in the bud. Thoroughly search your containers for any sign of weeds before you buy and once again before you plant.

Also, be careful not to plant your new annuals in soil that already has weeds. Cultivate the soil around your plants using a three-prong hand tool to break up any existing weed roots (figure A). When you pull the weeds out, make sure to put them directly into a bucket or garbage can so they don't have a chance to spread their seeds.

	Figure B
	Figure C

Watering Annuals

Now that you've cultivated your soil, you've got to water it. Annual blooms can be pretty sensitive when it comes to watering. If you go out there with a hose and shake it around over the top of them you could damage your plants. The impact of running water could cause some of the taller annuals to fall over and once that happens, they're not coming back up. Tall annuals like impatiens, lianthus and cosmos should be watered from below. You can use a soaker hose, drip irrigation or a regular garden hose positioned at the base of the plant. When these plants are small you can use a gentle shower nozzle (figures B and C) to water them but once they start to grow, switch to the soaker hose.

Fertilizing Annuals

One more thing to remember with annuals is — don't forget to fertilize. A slow release fertilizer with a high middle number (higher than the first and last numbers) is a good choice because that phosphorus is what will encourage the blooms. It does take a little more effort to keep those annuals around for as long as possible but it will all be worth it when you see those bright colorful blooms last all season long.

Figure D

Deadhead Principles

With apologies to Jerry Garcia, the gardening term "deadheading" refers to removing the spent blooms from flowering plants to allow for new growth (figure D).

Once you've given them a good start with the soil prep and the watering you're well on your way but you're still going to get some brown blooms. This doesn't mean they've given up for the season. You just have to deadhead them so they can start over.

Annuals live to produce seed so that the plant can carry on. That means their energy is really focused on producing those blooms because that's where the seed comes from. When you deadhead you're giving the plant a stem without a flower and it starts putting all of its energy right back into producing that bloom.

When you deadhead, prune or pinch off the spent bloom. They are sensitive so don't yank on them. Pruning scissors are the easiest and most effective tool to use but you can use your fingernails if they're sharp enough. Some annuals will drop their spent blooms on their own but plants like marigolds, dianthus and snapdragons will hold on to their flowers for a long time unless you do the job for them.