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Perennials, Seminars

Saturday Webinars | Perennials ll

Posted on by Brandi
Saturday Webinars | Perennials ll
28
May

Hello gardener!

The two topics we get asked about the most are surrounding fertilizers and perennials. There’s a lot to learn when growing perennials and we’re hear to help you along the way. A perennial is a plant that lives two or more seasons and used to distinguish herbaceous plants from woody trees and shrubs.

Fertilizing Perennials

A consistent fertilizer program will ensure your perennials live a healthy life and live longer. Colin shared a photo during the webinar (available in the PowerPoint below), which demonstrates the impact fertilizer can have on your plants. Spoiler alert, it’s a significant difference. Fertilizer encourages your plant to develop a stronger root system and makes them more adaptable when facing adverse weather conditions. Fertilizer can make your plants look greener and healthier. Perennials are an investment in time and money; protect that investment. Begin fertilizing as soon as you see active growth in the spring, and continue fertilizing until the end of July. You don’t want to continue fertilizing into the fall, even for fall blooming perennials, because your plant will be transitioning into hibernation.

Types of Fertilizer

  • For perennials, you may want to consider:
    • Root Booster: Helps to establish freshly planted perennials from the garden centre as well as freshly transplanted or divided perennials.
    • Blooming Fertilizer: Boosts your flowering perennials. Follow the manufacturers instructions – less is more.
    • General Purpose: A great catch-all for the whole growing season. Follow the manufacturers instructions – less is more.  
  • Fertilizer mediums
    • Water Soluble – Colin’s pick. Apply when watering plants. This methods ensures the plant is receiving an even amount of fertilizer.
    • Granular – Apply fertilizer by hand to the soil lightly mix in. Slow release fertilizer that breaks when watering.

Deadheading Perennials

Plants spend their whole lives working to propagate their species in the form of a seedpod which develops behind each flower. As you can imagine, this process requires a lot energy, just like in humans. As gardeners, we can cheat the system a little by deadheading finished blooms to encourage our perennials to produce more blooms. This activity will also add aesthetic appeal to your garden. That being said, if you wish to harvest your perennial seeds or “naturalize” and area, disregard and allow your plant to go to seed.

In Colin’s PowerPoint (below), there is a helpful diagram demonstrating how to deadhead old blooms. Essentially, you’re pinching behind the finished bloom and removing it. If you have a long stem attached to the bloom, like on a daylily, you may want to remove the entire stem for a more aesthetic look. You won’t harm the plant by doing so.

Transplanting Perennials

There are many reasons why you may want to transplant a perennial. Perhaps it grew too big for it’s current home. Perhaps the sun exposure in your yard changed and your perennial isn’t getting the nutrients it needs. Maybe we just want to change things up! All of the above are valid reasons, and the process to transplant is actually quite easy.

A few things to note before you begin. Know that transplanting will shock the plant. Avoid doing this when your plant is blooming and avoid hot/sunny days to keep the tender roots from drying out. Transplanting is an effort, so bring muscles and the proper tools. Have new location dug up and prepped so roots aren’t exposed to sun and air for too long. Have a source of water ready as your new transplant will require a good drink. Treat newly transplants as new, tender, plants.

  • Equipment
  • Process
    • Dig around the plant – dig bigger than you think you need. Be aware of surrounding plants.
    • Go as deep as possible to accommodate established root systems.
    • Lift the plant in one motion.
    • Immediately plant in new location.
    • Apply a root boost fertilizer as per directions on the package.
    • Water, water, water. Give a thorough drink on day one, and then daily for the first two weeks. Taper off to allow plant to signal when it needs water.

Dividing Perennials

Like it? Make more! Established perennials can be divided, and planted in additional locations around your garden, or shared with your favourite gardener friend. Just like with transplanting, division will shock the plant so avoid doing this when your plant is blooming. Again, avoid completing this on hot/sunny days to protect tender roots. Have a source of water ready as your new plants will require a good drink. Treat both plants as new, tender, plants.

  • Process
    • Dig around the plant – dig bigger than you think you need. Be aware of surrounding plants.
    • Go as deep as possible to accommodate established root systems.
    • Lift the plant in one motion.
    • Immediately plant in new location.
    • Apply a root boost fertilizer as per directions on the package.
    • Water, water, water. Give a thorough drink on day one, and then daily for the first two weeks. Taper off to allow plant to signal when it needs water.

Watering Perennials

Water perennials throughout the season. Yes, even in the fall, your perennials will appreciate a drink. For mature plants, allow the plant to tell you when they need a drink. You’ll begin to see the leaves droop. If your plant is blooming, they may require more water. Approaching watering this way will encourage your plant to send out roots deeper into the soil to find water resulting in a strong plant. However, for new plants, make sure you’re watering every day for the first two weeks and then taper off. Early mornings are the best time to water.

A soaker hose/drip hose is the best way to water perennials as it targets the root system. While water on the leaves can help the plant look better and assist in removing dust particles from leaves trying to photosynthesize, the roots will need water the most.

Final Tips & Tricks

  • It’s not advisable to plant perennials in planters, containers, or raised planters. They should be underground where their roots are protected, and where the roots aren’t limited in space.
  • Mulching around perennials will provide them with helpful insulation year round.
  • Perennials do quite well planted with other perennials.
  • Add soil amendments but be careful of established roots.

 

The more detailed encore presentation hosted by Colin Hayles is now available to view on our YouTube channel.

If you’d like a copy of Colin’s PowerPoint, click here:  Golden Acre Webinars – Perennials II 2022

UPCOMING FREE WEBINARS/SEMINARS:

June 4, 2022: Trees II: Care and Encouraging Growth, Flowers, and Fruits  <<< Register Now

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Calcium Nitrate:

Mix Ratio: Apply ¼ teaspoon per 2 litres once a week. I full scoop makes 24 litres or 6 gallons.

Recommended preventing blossom end rot and calcium deficiency in tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, pumpkins, zucchinis, and cannabis. It is also highly beneficial for all leafy greens and cruciferous plants (cabbage, Brussel sprouts, broccoli etc.).

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

Iron Chelate

Mix Ratio: Soil drench – apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water once every 2 weeks. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

Mix ratio: Foliar spray - apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 4 Litres of water once every 4 weeks. A full scoop makes 24 litres or 6 gallons.

Recommended for correcting iron deficiency in a variety of plants grown in high pH soil. Iron deficiency is diagnosed by the yellowing or pale colour of the plant leaves, especially in young growth.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

High Drainage

Moisten Thoroughly before use: (optional) Peat moss can be water-repellent. Before use, thoroughly wet the soil.

Potting:

Use pots with drainage holes to prevent root rot.

Fill the pot with the moistened soil, leaving enough space for the plant's root ball.

Gently place the plant in the pot and fill in around it with more soil.

Firm the soil gently.

Watering:

This is crucial! Water frequently, especially during hot weather.

Check the soil moisture regularly by sticking your finger into the soil.

Water deeply when the top inch of soil feels dry.

Fertilizing:

Since peat moss is low in nutrients, fertilize regularly with a balanced liquid fertilizer.

Consider Amendments:

For plants that prefer more moisture retention, you can add a small amount of coco coir or vermiculite to the mix.

Important Notes:

Overwatering: While frequent watering is necessary, avoid overwatering, which can lead to root rot.

Plant Selection: This type of soil is well-suited for seed starting as well as plants that prefer well-drained conditions, such as cacti, cannabis, succulents, and some tropical plants.

Adjustments: You may need to adjust your watering frequency based on the specific plant and environmental conditions (temperature, humidity, sunlight).

Alberta Blend

Moisten the Peat Moss before use: (optional) Peat moss can be hydrophobic (water-repellent) when dry. Before using it, thoroughly moisten it. You can do this by placing it in a container and adding water, then squeezing out any excess.

Mixing: (optional) Our Private Label Alberta Blend comes ready to use, expertly formulated for your plants, either indoors or outdoors.

If you're using this mix as your own base, combine it with worm castings, volcanic dust, vermiculite, etc. to improve nutrition, drainage and/or aeration.

Potting:

When potting your plants, ensure that the pot has drainage holes.

Fill the pot with the moistened potting mix, leaving enough space for the plant's root ball.

Gently place the plant in the pot and fill in around it with more potting mix.

Lightly firm the soil around the plant leaving ½ inch to an inch of space at the top for watering.

Watering:

Because peat moss retains water, be careful not to overwater.

Allow the top layer of soil to dry out slightly before watering again.

Fertilizing:

Since peat moss is nutrient-poor, you'll need to provide your plants with regular fertilization.

Use the correct fertilizer according to the plant's needs.

20-20-20 Houseplant Complete

Mix Ratio: For all houseplants apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water once a week once every week. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

It is highly recommended to start your houseplants on a fertilizer regime, but only while they are actively growing. Houseplants tend to have a period of dormancy (normally winter, however poinsettias, Xmas cacti etc. are exceptions to this rule) and whilst dormant they should not be fertilized.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

22-6-15 Plus Herb and Leafy Vegetable

Mix Ratio: For all herbaceous and leafy vegetable plants apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water once a week. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

This fertilizer is ideal for all leafy vegetables and for herbs. This product can be used year-round if you grow herbs indoors.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

20-12-28 Tomato and Fruiting Vegetable

Mix Ratio: For all fruiting vegetable plants apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water once a week. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

Use this fertilizer on planting day and push right through until the plant either stops producing or reaches the end of season. In the case of transplanted seedlings this fertilizer should be used after the 2 feedings of Js - Jump-Start & Transplant.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

10-52-10 Jump-Start & Transplant

Mix Ratio: For outdoor summer plants apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water. Normally two applications, one at the time of transplanting, the second application can be done one week later from the initial fertilizing. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

Mix Ratio: For seed starting - apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water. Do not over water seedlings, feed every 2 weeks until transplanted outside. Feed them at the time of transplanting outdoors, then one more feeding a week later. After that start using the correct fertilizer for type of plant. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

 e.g. Vt Vegetable: Tomato and Fruiting for tomatoes, F3 Flower flower flower for bedding out/annual plants.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

4-5-28 Perennial Complete

Mix Ratio: All perennials (in warm seasons) apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water every 2 weeks from spring to late summer. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

This formula is professionally blended for all your perennials. For existing perennials, we recommend starting to fertilize when you see active growth (i.e. new shoots etc.). For new perennials we recommend that you start fertilizing at time of planting and go through to mid August.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

28-14-14 Plus Trees and Shrubs - Fruit and Flower

Mix Ratio: Trees and/or shrubs (in warm seasons) apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water per week. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

This formula is professionally blended for all your fruiting and flowering trees and shrubs.

For existing trees, we recommend starting to fertilize when you see active growth (i.e. bud break, new shoots etc.).

For new trees we recommend that you start fertilizing at time of planting and go through to mid August.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

14-7-21 Tree and Shrub Leaf & Needle

Mix Ratio: Trees and/or shrubs (in warm seasons) apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water every 2 weeks. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

This formula is professionally blended for all your evergreen/coniferous and deciduous trees and shrubs.

For existing trees, we recommend starting to fertilize when you see active growth (i.e. bud break, new shoots etc.).

For new trees we recommend that you start fertilizing at time of planting and go through to mid August.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

15-10-30 Flower, Flower, Flower

Mix Ratio: Outdoor plants (in warm seasons) apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water twice a week. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

This formula is professionally blended for all your annual plants. We recommend starting to fertilize at time of planting outdoors and go through to first frost.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.