Tips for Planting Annuals
It’s safest to rotate the location of annuals year after year, as with tomatoes. A three-year rotation, using unrelated plants, helps control soil-borne diseases. Good cultural practices: don’t overcrowd plants. Adequate growing space allows sunlight to reach each plant, with better air circulation to discourage diseases. When watering, soak ground beneath plant, keeping foliage dry, or sprinkle early in the morning when the leaves dry quickly. Remove diseased foliage as soon as it is apparent. When a large number of leaves become diseased, remove plants and destroy. Use recommended dust or spray at intervals, suggested on container, coating upper and lower leaf surfaces. Soil preparation should include deep spading and removal of any debris. Heavy clay and poorly drained soils are improved by adding organic matter or sand. Spading these into the top eight to ten inches of soil makes planting easier, and roots will penetrate deeper with less chance of drying.
Shade-loving annuals are less common than sun-loving ones. Yet some flowers prefer light shade. Among these: snapdragon, clarkia, sweet alyssum, and Drummond phlox. Heavily shaded yard areas can have flower color from ornamental tobacco (nicotiana), lobelia, touch-me-not, annual periwinkle and impatiens (sultana). Proper selection and good culture will assure color until autumn’s frost.