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Plant Focus: Perennials

Plant Focus: Perennials
Hello gardeners!

This week was all about perennials, and we had a lot to cover. They’re incredible plants with the ability to return to our garden year after year, and even withstand transplanting and division so we can enjoy them even more! Thank you for following our live episodes of GAKidsTV throughout the week, and to those who joined us for this week’s free webinar. Your participation and questions are so appreciated. We even had a lovely viewer from Washington! Hiiiiii!

If you missed out on the webinar or would like a copy of Colin’s slideshow, you’ll find that here: Perennials Powerpoint File

In honour of perennial week, we decided to give one away. We often hear wonderful stories about perennials from our customers. Some have been in the family for generations, some are a source of memories where you planted them with loved ones. What more perfect plant to giveaway than the Iris. This perennial is near and dear to both Colin and I, and reminds us of treasured days gardening with our own parents. We would love to hear your story. Hop onto our Facebook and/or Instagram, click on the post, and take part in that before Monday.

Perennials What is a Perennial?
  • A plant that lives longer than two years. It’s further used to distinguish plants with little or no woody growth from trees/shrubs.
  • Important for pollinators, soil support, water conservation, and sustainable living.
Types of Perennials
  • Full Sun
    • Prolific Bloomers that may require additional water.
    • Daisy, Coneflower, Bee Balm, Delphinium, Daylily, Peony, Goldenrod, Iris, Columbine
  • Shade Tolerant
    • Often prized for their foliage, but use caution with watering as it takes longer to soak in or evaporate.
    • Hosta, Ferns, Bleeding Heart, Solomon Seal, Lily of the Valley, Woodruff, Astilbe, Goats Beard, Monks Hood.
      • For easy identification at Golden Acre, you’ll find shady perennials displayed under shade cloth. 
  • Perennial Veggies (Zone 3)
    • Rhubarb, Chives, Horseradish, Asparagus
Caring for Perennials
  • Soil
    • Amending soil pumps more natural nutrients into it to promote growth. Consider products like Peat Moss and Compost.
  • Fertilizer
    • Use a good all purpose fertilizer for your perennials.
    • Be careful not to over fertilize. Follow the instructions and remember that “less is more, not more is more”.
  • Weeding
    • Remove weeds from your garden to keep those essential nutrients benefitting your perennials and not unwanted growth.
  • Deadheading
    • Keep an eye out for blooms that have expired. By removing them, energy returns to the plant allowing it to produce more blooms and focus on producing a strong root system.
  • Watering
    • Watering varies between sun-loving and shade-loving
Transplanting Perennials
  • Perennials are an investment, so as your yard changes, you may want to rehome your perennials and enjoy them elsewhere.
  • Transplant most perennials in the early spring.
    • If it’s an early spring bloomers like Euphorbia or Bleeding Heart, consider saving them for early fall.
  • Prep the hole you’ll be transplanting into
    • You don’t want the root ball exposed for too long as they’ll run the risk of shock.
  • Use a sharp and clean shovel to remove the plant.
    • A good rule of thumb: However wide the plant disperses, that’s how wide your dig should be and then work yourself in. You don’t want to cut into the roots too much.
  • Plant your perennial and backfill with quality amended soil – 50% existing soil & 50% compost or 33% existing soil & 66% Compost.
  • Water your freshly transplanted perennial. Give it a good soak.
  • Fertilize with a root boost or transplanter fertilizer.
Dividing Perennials
  • Spread the love and try dividing those thriving perennials to fill more of your garden.
  • Divide most perennials in the early spring.
    • If it’s an early spring bloomers like Euphorbia or Bleeding Heart, consider saving them for early fall.
  • Prep the hole you’ll be transplanting into
  • Use a sharp and clean shovel to remove the plant and cut into the root ball.
    • A good rule of thumb: However wide the plant disperses, that’s how wide your dig should be and then work yourself in.
    • Divide the plant cleanly into the root to promote a quicker healing process.
  • Plant your perennial and backfill with quality amended soil – 50% existing soil & 50% compost or 33% existing soil & 66% Compost.
  • Water your freshly transplanted perennial. Give it a good soak.
  • Fertilize with a root boost or transplanter fertilizer.
 

That’s it for perennials! We will have a follow-up week on Perennials as we get into the growing season so keep an eye out for that!

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out. 🙂

Happy gardening!

Brandi
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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.