FREE In-store Pick Up. Delivery Rates vary (determined at checkout).

Annuals

Saturday Webinars: Annuals

Posted on by Brandi
Saturday Webinars: Annuals
16
Apr

Hello eager gardeners!

There’s so much action in the greenhouse right now! We have annuals and perennials starting to fill our greenhouse. While it’s still early to plant outdoors, it’s never too early to learn about them so you can be prepared for that green light!

So what is an annual plant? Is that the one that comes back every year? When can I plant them outside? How do I choose the right plants? What supplies to ensure I’m successful?

Annuals are the ones that complete their growth cycle and life in one growing season. The leaves, stems, and roots all die off in the autumn and winter. They won’t return in the following years, but their seeds might survive and grow in that same area if you let them. We’ve heard stories, so it’s possible!

Annuals include an enormous group of plants here in Southern Alberta:

  • Flowers:
    • Sun Loving – Marigold, Sunflower, Zinnia, Tea Rose, Petunia, Geranium, etc.
    • Shade Loving – Impatiens, Begonia, Fuchsia, New Guinea Impatiens, Bacopa, etc.
  • Vegetables:
    • Sun Loving – Tomato, Pepper, Cucumber, Strawberry, Watermelon, Pumpkin, etc
    • Shade Loving – Arugula, Spinach, Kale, Lettuce, Broccoli, Potato, etc
  • Herbs:
    • Sun Loving – Basil, Thyme, Oregano, Rosemary, Lavender, Sage, etc
    • Shade Loving – Mint, Dill, Parsely, Chives, Chervil, etc.

Want a reference tool while you’re on the go?

While you’re shopping at Golden Acre, our new Plant Finder website is a convenient tool to help you make decisions on finding compatible plants for your garden! It’s easy to use and mobile-friendly!

Some of the things Colin touched on this morning included:

  • How to Plant Annuals (Flowerbed)
    • Loosen soil by adding amendments (compost, peat moss, etc)
      • No deeper than 2″ – 4″
    • Dig hole slightly wider than the annual pot
    • Gently remove annual by squeezing the pot
    • place in the hole and backfill with soil just up until the soil line.
    • Water softly but saturated. Don’t use a hard nozzle setting.
  • How to Plant Annuals (Pot/Basket)
    • Add fresh potting mix until roughly 2 – 4″ from the top.
    • Dig hole slightly wider than the annual pot
    • Gently remove annual by squeezing the pot
    • place in the hole and backfill with soil just up until the soil line.
    • Water softly but saturated. Don’t use a hard nozzle setting.
  • Where to Plant
    • Consider factors like sun exposure, mature height, and factors that may impact watering and fertilizing like animals.
    • Consider opportunities like stairs, decks, etc where you can jazz up with plants.
      • Hanging baskets are perfect for small spaces.
      • Vines are fun on fencing and trellis!
  • When to Plant
    • Always after the last frost in Southern Alberta due to their tender nature. (Roughly May Long Weekend)
    • Do planting and watering all in one session.
  • Care Tips
    • Watering
      • Check often, especially on hot summer days.
      • Some annuals might require multiple watering in a single day, especially in raised planters, hanging baskets, and planters.
      • Overwatering leads to root rot, so make sure planters are not sitting in water.
    • Fertilizing
      • Start fertilizing annuals immediately and continue until Autumn
      • Follow manufacturers’ recommendations.
        • DO NOT OVER FERTILIZE! So important as fertilizer can cause roots to burn.
      • You can use an all purpose fertilizer or a bloom specific fertilizer.
    • Deadheading
      • Remove tired blooms to encourage more growth.

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: Annuals I Webinar 2022.

 

UPCOMING FREE WEBINARS:

Apr 20, 2022: Growing Cannabis (18+) <<< Register Now

Apr 23, 2022: Perennials Webinar – What they are including division and transplant techniques <<< Register Now

Registration for all of our Saturday Spring Webinars <<<

 

 

Translate »

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.