Achieving Vibrant Seasonal Color

The most important aspect of healthy, long lasting seasonal color for any season is bed preparation. The soil should be highly acidic for vivid blooms and well drained so that the plant grows properly.

Blending a granular fertilizer, insecticide, fungicide and blood meal into the soil prior to each planting will improve the growth and bloom quality of any seasonal color and reduce the likelihood of fungus or insect damage.

Do not over water your color beds…this will lead to limp, yellowish plants that do not perform well and die prematurely. It is best to water in the early morning so that your plants do not sit through the night in moisture. Watering seasonal color at night will lead to fungus problems and cause stem rot. During normal conditions pansies will only require water twice per week for about 12 minutes if you are watering with an automatic sprinkler system.

During freezing temperatures it is best if you cover your seasonal color. Be sure that you are using a porous material (not plastic) so that the plants are capable of breathing while they are covered.

If you cannot cover your plant material prior to a freeze the next best option is to water the plants prior to the freeze. Watering the plant material will help to insulate the root ball and reduce the likelihood of freeze damage.

Applying a balanced liquid application of fertilizer (20-20-20) prior to the first hard freeze may also help your plants resist freeze damage and perform well following the freeze.

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