Tips on Planting Annuals in Dallas
Because we live in Texas and have hot, dry summers, care should be taken in choosing your plants as well as their location. Here are a few tips and considerations to help you figure out what you need to have beautiful annuals this season.
- Budget: Don’t over or under do it. When considering your budget make sure you consider both your time as well as your money. Annuals have shallow root systems and may need daily watering in hot, dry weather.
- Location: Before you run off to the nursery make sure that the plants you chose are suited for the area you chose for them, and that they will be easily accessible if hand watering is required.
- Soil: Nutrients in soil deplete over time. Before you plant your annuals till in amendments such as compost, expanded shale or landscape mix. You can till in a fertilizer and or a fungicide at this time as well for more vigor and control.
- Plant Size: The smaller you buy your plants the longer it will take for them to fill in. If you want a full display faster do not use small plants too late in the season. Plants like Coleus and Copper plant are sold in larger container sizes and although they cost more per plant they can fill in faster, especially in shady gardens. Also, don’t be timid in ripping out last seasons gorgeous blooms. The longer you wait the less time your current seasons annuals will have to grow.
- Water: If your planting area is on a separate watering zone, then you only have to set your timer for the appropriate times. However if the zone is shared do not over water established plants for the sake of your annuals. Hand water your annuals when the first 1-2 inches of soil show signs of drying.
How many plants do you need to fill a planting bed?
Figuring out how many plants to fill an area can be found by using the following mathematical formula. Don’t worry about the shape being a perfect square or circle. You only need approximate measurements and adjust for additional odd shaped areas. I can assure you that the plant police doesn’t make a stop in Texas—yet, so don’t worry.
For those of you who hate math as much as I do –here are a few links to plant calculators that will help you find the calculations that you are looking for.