Refresh Annual Containers

Are you noticing your annuals look stretched or wilted? Midsummer is a great time to assess heat damage and give your plants some love. In addition to proper watering, a good haircut and feed will keep your baskets and containers blooming all the way through fall!

Water

Check the top inch of soil daily and water when it feels dry to the touch. Keep in mind that high temperatures and wind will dry out the soil, so your outdoor annuals will likely need to be watered more frequently than plants kept indoors. You may need to water more than once a day in extreme heat.

Try to water early in the morning, when you’ll lose less moisture to evaporation. Consider adding mulch to help retain moisture, even in containers! Avoid watering in the evening when possible, as it can leave plants susceptible to disease.

Always water at the base of the plant and ensure there is proper drainage.

Trim & Deadhead

Are your annuals getting leggy? Give them a good haircut to restore a bushy, neat habit. You may have to be a little patient for blooms to return, but in the long run, you will have a healthier, more productive container.

To encourage continuous flowering, pinch or snip off faded flowers regularly.

Manage Pests

Noticing a significant decrease in flowers? You could be dealing with Budworm, which commonly attacks petunias and geranium flower buds this time of year. Look for tiny holes in blooms and foliage, buds that never opened, and frass (small black droppings). These signs are easy ways to confirm the infestation. Spray with organic Monterey B.t. or Captain Jack’s Deadbug Brew every 10-14 days or after heavy rain to take care of this pest.

Fertilize

Don’t hold back when it comes to fertilizing annuals! Feed with Van Wilgen’s All Purpose Slow Release every 2-4 months and Super Bloom Booster every 2 weeks. This is especially important after trimming to help the plant rebloom faster.

Questions? Check out our video for an easy-to-follow guide!

Watch Video Guide