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
- Sharp, pointed shovel
- Root Boost Fertilizer (Optional)
- Water source
- 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.
- Equipment
- Sharp, flat edge shovel
- Root Boost Fertilizer (Optional)
- Water source
- 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
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