Annual Cultural Tips

Annuals - Best known for their consistent color display, annuals complete their life cycle in one growing season. These plants feature a wide range of bloom colors, leaf textures, and growth habits. Most annuals do not tolerate freezing temperatures and should not be planted until the danger of frost is past. In the Dayton, Ohio area that magic day is May 15. Pansies, petunias, dusty miller, snapdragons, and dianthus are exceptions to the rule, IF purchased from Meadow View. Our growing techniques "harden off" these varieties, allowing you to plant them earlier as they will tolerate some frost.

Sun Requirements - From full sun to dense shade there is a wide range of annuals from which to choose. From our experience, annuals that are designated (on tags) to grow in a full sun location will also perform well in a part sun, or half day of sun location. It is not our recommendation that you try to grow annuals designated for shade in a sunny location (although sometimes with special care it can be done!). See out plant list for specific variety sun requirements

Soil Requirements - The key to excellent garden performance from your annuals begins with soil preparation. As the roots of your plants must have oxygen in order to prosper you need to have what we call "well drained soil". Clay or muck soils must be amended in order to be successful in your garden. Sand and organic matter such as compost or Canadian sphagnum peat moss are excellent for improving soils in the Miami Valley.

Planting Tips - Now that you have purchased your favorite annuals and have tilled or turned your garden soil "loosening it up", it's time for the fun part, getting them in the ground !

We recommend watering plants thoroughly in flat or pot and after planting.

Now carefully remove your plants from their pots or cell paks. This will sometimes require pushing up on the bottom of the pak while lifting the plant or tapping on the bottom of the pot while holding on to the top of the plant. Take a look at the roots, if there is a thick mass of roots you need to "scar" them with your fingernail or a knife, making vertical cuts in the root ball. This keeps the roots from continuing to grow in this spiral motion when you plant them in the ground. This is important so the roots will grow out into your soil as soon as possible, eventually reducing the frequency of watering and producing a superior plant with a great root system.

Now grab your trowel and dig the hole. Plant your annual slightly below or at the same level they were in the pot or cell pak. Plants purchased at Meadow View are tagged with recommended spacings. For more immediate impact, your annuals can be planted closer than recommended spacings.