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Annuals, Seminars, Webinars 2022

Saturday Webinars | Annuals – Designing, Planting, and Maintaining Planters

Posted on by Brandi
Saturday Webinars | Annuals – Designing, Planting, and Maintaining Planters
14
May

One of the main things we love about gardening is how limitless our creativity can be. At the end of the day, this is our garden. We make it how we like it and that’s pretty neat. This week, we are focusing on annual planters. Gosh, over the years, we’ve seen some gorgeous planters not only in store, but also in the photos our customers have shared with us. From the curated blend of annual plants, to the very containers they sit in, planters and hanging baskets can be an extension of you. Planters are space fillers, statement pieces, and colour poppers that you can admire all season long. At Golden Acre, we handcraft our own annual planters. They are always a great source of inspiration should you need some.

So, let’s talk about ways to approach planning, planting, and maintaining annual planters.

 

PLANNING

Take some time to think about what your planters will look like and where they will live this summer.

  • How do want them to look including colour and texture.
    • Consider playing around with size in a planter by selecting:
      • Thriller: The showstopper flower usually found in the middle/back of the planter.
      • Filler: The middle plants that fill in the space between the thrillers and spillers.
      • Spiller: The smallest plants that usually trail down the sides of the planter.
  • What purpose will they serve in your yard? Will they grow veggies, flowers, or both?
  • What sun exposure does that area receive? What kind of weather will it be exposed to?
    • Flowers
      • Sun Loving: Marigolds, Petunias, Zinnia, Osteospermum, Portulaca, Million bells
      • Shade loving: Begonia, Impatiens, Geranium, Bacopa, Creeping Jenny
    • Veggies
      • Sun Loving: Tomatoes, Strawberry, Cucumber, Peppers, Basil, Lavender
      • Shade Loving: Kale, Lettuce, Spinach, Arugula, Chives, Dill.
  • What kind of water will your plants need? Are they going to be growing veggies and need more water than flowers? Is you container wooden and need more water than a plastic pot?
  • How will your planter be viewed? From below? Above? In a grouping? A planter against a wall may need to be designed differently than a round planter on a table that’ll be viewed from every direction.
  • What size do you want it to be? Keep weight in mind when selecting a pot. Soil and plants
  • What kind of maintenance is required, and do you have the ability to keep up with it over the course of the summer.

PLANTING

  • CONTAINERS & POT | The best container to use will have drainage holes in the bottom to allow excess water to drain. We want to avoid root rot! If you wish to use a pot without drainage hole, fill the bottom two inches with gravel to water can drain into that reservoir.
  • SOIL | A potting soil is best when planting planters. If have soil from last year, mix in some fresh stuff to bring in some new nutrients.
  • PLAN | Plan where everything is going to go. Don’t be too worried about overcrowding, but there are spacing tips on each individual plant tag.
  • PLANT | For step-by-step instruction for planting, view our encore video, or see our handy How-to guide located on our website.
  • WATER & FERTILIZE | after you’re done planting. See below section for tips.
  • Note: If you’re curious about starting seeds in planters as opposed to annual flowers, check out our Calgary & Area Seed Starting Chart 

What Did Colin Plant today?

  • Container:
    • Wooden Window Box: Will require consistent checks on water as wood will  naturally draw moisture from the soil.
  • Soil:
  • Annual Plants:
    • Thrillers | 6″ Dahlia X1 & 4″ Regal Geraniums X 2
    • Fillers | 2″ Pansies X 8
    • Spillers | 2″ Creeping Jenny X 4 & 2″ Bacopa X 4
  • Fertilizers:

MAINTAINANCE

  • Watering
    • Check regularly by testing the moisture with your finger. If you can feel dry soil a couple inches down, it’s time to water. Sometimes you may need to water a few times a day especially in those hot summers!
      • Not watering enough = poor production of fruits and flowers.
      • Watering too much = breeding ground for pathogens and pests.
  • Fertilizing
    • Read and follow the label. Suuuuuper important. Over fertilizing will cause root burn and your plant will not survive.
    • Fertilize consistently on a schedule and right up until the fall.
    • Some of colin’s suggestions for fertilizers were:
  • Deadheading
    • Removal of “old” flowers to encourage the plant to put energy into new blooms. Doing this simple practice can give your plants a longer bloom period so you can enjoy them all season long. Pollinators will love you!

 

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 2022 – Annuals – Planters

 

UPCOMING FREE WEBINARS/SEMINARS:

May 21, 2022: May Long Weekend Gardening Webinar – Ready, Set, Grow!  <<< Register Now

May 28, 2022: Perennials II Webinar – Maintenance habits and Expectations <<< Register Now

Registration for all of our free Saturday Spring Webinars

 

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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.