|  Annuals
are flowers that germinate, grow to offer a sensational summer-long array of colour,
and then die off, all in a single growing season.
Annual flowers are easy to grow and many of them can be sown directly to the garden.
For earlier blooms, most varieties can be started indoors. (See the back of the
McKenzie seed packet to determine if they can be started indoors).
Choose
a location ideal for annuals, usually a sunny area with good drainage. Some
annuals do, however, prefer shade, so please read the back of the McKenzie seed
packets to determine the light preference of the flowers you select. Annuals are
extremely versatile plants that can be grown to suit any location such as formal
flower beds or borders along a wall or fence, an Island garden, or in containers
to brighten up a balcony or patio. Annuals can be especially pleasing when planted
as fillers among perennials to provide colour while waiting for the perennials
to bloom. Once
a site has been selected, determine the amount of sun the site will receive
daily. There are 3 types of sites - Full Sun, Partial Shade (a minimum of 6 hours
of filtered sunlight each day) and Full Shade. This will assist in the selection
of the correct flowers for the site. Then plan your garden, choosing annuals of
differing plant heights, bloom periods and colours. (NOTE: Mass plantings of single
colour flowers can be quite dramatic. Contrasting foliage such as the Coleus,
Silverdust or Celosia will also add interest and a certain uniqueness to a garden.
See the chart on the back for information on plant heights, bloom period, location
etc. of all annual flowers offered by McKenzie Seeds. Start
your seed according to the instructions on the back of each McKenzie Seeds
Annual Flower packet. Dig a hole or prepare a furrow to a depth shown on the back
of the McKenzie seed packet. Thoroughly soak the soil prior to sowing, then sow
and cover the seeds. Then water again, and keep the soil moist, by misting, until
germination. Some hard coated seeds, such as Morning Glory and Sweet Peas, should
be soaked for 12 - 24 hours before sowing to aid in germination.
If starting indoors, fill a seeding tray or pot with potting soil to 1cm
(1/2") from the top. Sow the seed to the required depth, moisten the soil by misting
then cover, if necessary, with plastic to make a mini greenhouse. Keep soil moist
at all times until germination occurs. Remove the cover for one hour each day
to prevent damping-off or treat with a damp-off fungicide. After the plants have
produced their second set of leaves either thin or transplant to larger containers
to avoid overcrowding. Transplant to the prepared garden as soon as all danger
of frost has passed. A layer of mulch around the plants will assist in retaining
moisture and keep the soil cooler. This will encourage root growth, which in turn
promotes good plant growth.
Water regularly. If the soil is dry 1.25-2 cm (1/2-3/4") below the surface
it is time to water. Do not soak the soil. For container grown plants, water either
from the top of the soil, or stand the container in water to allow the soil to
soak up enough water until the soil on top is moist.
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