Introduction
Perennials are some of the most beautiful and well-loved plants in the garden. They come back year after year, so you don’t have to worry about replanting them or finding replacements. Perennials are also relatively low maintenance compared to annuals—they spend their first year establishing themselves in your yard before blooming again in spring each successive year. That said, perennials do require some special care if you want them to thrive and look their best for years to come. So here’s how I plant my perennials:
Pick perennials that will thrive in your climate.
When choosing perennials for your garden, there are a few things to keep in mind.
- Consider your climate. Perennials that grow well in one region of the country might not do as well in another area with colder winters or hotter summers.
- Think about your soil type and the amount of sun exposure you have available to plants in different areas of your garden. Some perennials need specific conditions to thrive, while others can adapt to many different environments if they don’t get too much direct sunlight during certain times of day (or even throughout their growing season). For example, some perennial flowers need full sun exposure all day long—but other kinds require partial shade during certain parts of their lives so that leaves don’t burn out from being exposed constantly without any relief from intense light exposure over long periods of time! If this happens then sometimes we lose flowers which makes us sad 🙁 🙁 🙁 :'( .
- Consider how much time you have available each day/weekend/year when thinking about how much maintenance needs done on what kind(s) of plants – whether it’s mowing grass every few days or watering once per week etcetera etcetera etcetera ad infinitum ad nauseam ad infinitum ad nauseam… That said though: be realistic about what kind(s) of work load will fit into an average person’s schedule before deciding which types ’cause problems early on down line later when trying sell home because nobody wants buy house where owner has neglected taking care landscaping plantings after first year went by without doing anything except basic maintenance such as pruning bushes trimming hedges cutting lawn edges trimming hedges again because grass grows fast.”
Winterize perennials to protect them from harsh weather.
Once you’ve planted your perennials, you’ll want to make sure they’re able to withstand the harsh winter weather. To do this, you’ll need to make sure that the crowns of your plants are covered with a loose layer of mulch. This will help protect them from freezing over and dying off completely during cold months. If possible, water well after covering up their roots so that they have time to absorb as much water as possible before winter hits.
In addition to this preparation for winterization, some plants may require another step: cutting back or removing old stems and leaves from around their crowns. This is called pruning and should be done according to instructions provided by your local nursery or garden center; however, generally speaking it involves cutting back old stems 2-3 inches above ground level and disposing of any dead or diseased leaves in order for new growth to emerge properly in springtime!
Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball.
Next, dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball. If you’re using a shovel or trowel, be sure to maintain an angle of 45 degrees and go straight down into the soil (rather than digging at an angle). You can also use a hand auger if you want to speed things up. If this sounds like too much work for you, don’t worry—you can always hire someone to make the hole for you!
Once your hole is properly dug, place your perennial in it and firm up any loose dirt around its base with your hands so that it’s stable once planted. Then top off with more soil until it’s level with surrounding ground level.
Line the hole with compost if you have it.
If you want to give your perennials the best start, try lining the hole with compost. Compost is a great way to improve the soil and can help plants grow better in all sorts of conditions. Compost improves drainage, water retention and fertility in the soil by improving its structure and aeration. It also helps to retain nutrients such as nitrogen that would otherwise be washed away by rain or irrigation systems (which is why many lawns have brown spots).
If you don’t have any compost on hand, don’t worry! You can make your own using materials like leaves or grass clippings.
Plant at the same height as the plant was in the pot.
When you plant a perennial, it’s important to keep the same height that the plant was in its pot. This will ensure that your new plant has enough room to grow and thrive. If you plant too deeply, you can cause damage to the roots of your new perennial as they grow out of their container and into your soil. If you’re planting very small perennials (like grasses), then planting too shallowly is also an issue because this can cause water from rain or sprinklers to run off instead of soaking into the ground where it belongs
Water thoroughly once planted and then keep an eye on the moisture, but be careful not to overwater.
Watering is important to keep the roots healthy and prevent them from rotting. You should check the moisture content of your soil periodically by digging down a few inches into your perennial bed and squeezing a handful of dirt. If it feels moist, then you’re good to go! However, if it feels dry or crumbly (like most of us after spending too much time on Twitter), you need to water your plants immediately.
Watering should be done at least once per week during summer months and less frequently in cooler seasons.
Weed regularly without disturbing or pulling up the roots of your new plants.
- Weed regularly to avoid crowding.
- Weed when plants are small.
- Forgo the dandelion fork and hoe in favor of a pair of scissors or tweezers, which will make it easier to get out the roots without disturbing them. You can also use your fingers if you’re careful!
If you do disturb the roots, replant the plant immediately so that it can try again before it gets too big for your space (and keep an eye out for weeds that may have gotten mixed up with other perennials).
Prune away dead growth in spring or early fall, depending on how much cold your plants can take before they go dormant.
Prune away dead growth in spring or early fall, depending on how much cold your plants can take before they go dormant. Pruning is an important part of perennial care because it keeps the plant healthy and prevents disease. You should also prune to keep your perennials looking their best, as well as to make sure that they are not growing too large or becoming overcrowded.
Be on the lookout for pests and diseases.
Perennials are generally pest- and disease-free, but they can still get attacked. If you see signs of pests or disease on your perennials, take action immediately to prevent more harm.
You can use organic methods to control pests and diseases in perennial plants. Some of these include:
- Soap spray: Mix 4 tbsp of liquid dish soap with 1 gallon of water; pour this into a spray bottle and spray the affected areas with it once every seven days until the problem is gone
- Baking soda spray: Mix 2 cups baking soda with 1 gallon of water; pour into a watering can or large bucket for application over larger areas
Perennials are lovely additions to any garden, but they need special care to thrive, so read up on how to plant and maintain them before you buy.
Perennials are lovely additions to any garden, but they need special care to thrive, so read up on how to plant and maintain them before you buy.
Some perennials will grow back year after year in the same spot. Others may need to be dug up and divided every few years to prevent them from getting too big. Most perennial flowers will bloom in spring or summer; some bloom once a year while others can bloom all season long!
Conclusion
I hope you’ve found this blog helpful and informative. If you have any questions, please feel free to leave me a comment below!