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4th Of July Gardening-It's Hot,Hot,Hot... |
 I have noticed that the annual switch over to summer annual flowers is well under way. I have also seen quite a few plantings of Vinca (periwinkle) that are already pooping out mysteriously. If you are getting ready to switch over please don't plant Vinca in Beds where Petunias have been planted and vice versa come this fall. I'm not sure that anyone really knows what causes this but it does have to do with the repeated planting of these two favorites over and over again in the same planters. Repeated planting of these two annuals will eventually result in sudden and sporadic wilt and die off of the newly planted plants. There have been a number of remedies suggested over the years but really the best solution is to rotate plantings and don't follow Vinca w/ Petunias etc... Luckily for us now there are many alternatives to Vinca for summer plantings. One that is relatively new and has become my favorite is Angelonia or "Summer Snapdragon". Other choices are Moss Rose, Purple Buddy,Lisianthus,Pentas,and Red or Blue Salvia. I also rather like using Lantana and Katie Ruellia as a summer annual and just replace it with Geraniums or the great many choices we have in the Fall! No matter the choice it is best to plant in the morning or evenings and water well as you go. Don't wait till the whole bed is completed or every pot is done water periodically as you plant. This will reduce stress and keep the plants form wilting and get them off to a great start. Be sure to check new plants daily for water and i suggest using a starter fertilizer like Start N Grow by fertilome to really jump start them! We all know it is hot, but nothing makes me feel hotter that empty or dead flowers in pots or planters-Try some of the new offerings like Angelonia or an old faithful like Lantana-you'll feel COOL,Cool,COOL... |
