Spring has definitely sprung and it’s when many of us get in the gardening mood. But if you’re not a seasoned green thumb, choosing plants for your garden can be an overwhelming task.
If you need help, always take advantage of the experts who work at your local gardening store. They can advise you what to plant, where to plant; information about the sun; the soil, how much water to use; pests; and any other question you may have. If your store doesn’t offer this complimentary service, try to find one that does.
Here are some things to consider for your gardening:
- Perennials or Annuals? Perennials are plants that live all year round and have a specific blooming period that varies, depending on the type of plan. Annuals are often very colorful and may have a longer blooming period, but they die at the end of season. Annuals are generally less expensive than perennials, but because they have to replaced each year, it doesn’t necessarily make them cost-effective. Plus, it takes more of your time to maintain a garden with annuals on a year-to-year basis.
- Hardy Perennials: sweat peas and annual poppies are known to stand any kind of winter. Considered to be perennials because they produce their own seeds, you can plant them in early spring. Tender annuals such as marigolds, zinnias, and chrysanthemums, on the other hand, cannot withstand the cold. So be sure to plant them in late spring.
- Slow Annuals: There are slow annuals such as petunias and snapdragons. These take a long time to grow before blooming. These should be planted in pots first early in the season, then transplant to the garden later on when it’s warm.
Whatever you decide to plant, most come with a tag that includes instruction on sunlight, watering, blooming, when to plant, etc. And as always, take advantage of that expert help at the gardening store. You’ll be an expert yourself in no time.
