How to Grow Annual Plants

Overview

Annual plants are a fast, easy and risk-free way to add color and texture to your garden and landscape. Use annuals to fill in areas between newly-planted perennials, brighten shady spots in the garden and add season-long color to patios, porches and borders. Annuals are inexpensive and short-lived, so you can change, rearrange and experiment every year. Available in a wide range of colors, textures and sizes, annuals have a place in every garden.

Step 1

Prepare the soil. Dig a spade into the planting bed to a depth of 6 to 10 inches, loosening the soil. Mix compost into the soil to improve soil texture.

Step 2

Plant your annuals. Gently remove seedlings from containers and plant them so that the top of the roots are covered by ½ inch of soil.

Step 3

Water deeply. Provide 1 to 1½ inches of water per week. In hot, dry conditions, provide more water. Water potted annuals every one to four days, depending upon the size of the pot, sun exposure and temperature.

Step 4

Fertilize potted annuals with a 10-10-10, water-soluble fertilizer every other week. In-ground annuals may benefit from a monthly addition of fertilizer, but it is not necessary if plant growth appears normal, according to the Clemson University Extension.

Step 5

Trim off any dead or damaged leaves. Pinch off spent flower heads to encourage reflowering.

Step 6

Weed around your annuals, as needed. When they are tall enough, apply a 2-to-3 inch layer of mulch to control weeds and reduce water loss.