![]() Keep granular fertilizers away from the plant crown and foliage to avoid burn injury. After new growth appears, a light fertilizer may be applied.Until plants become established, some protection from extreme winds and direct, hot sunlight may be necessary.If you water with overhead sprinklers, water early in the day so the foliage has time to dry off before evening, to minimize disease problems. It's best to water with a drip or trickle system that delivers water at low pressure at the soil level. Use a rain gauge to check to see if you need to add water. Plants need about 1 inch of rain per week during the growing season. Keep plants well-watered during the growing season, especially during dry spells.Always keep mulches off a plant’s stems to prevent possible rot. For annuals an organic mulch of shredded leaves lends a natural look to the bed and will improve the soil as it breaks down in time. Mulches also help retain soil moisture and maintain even soil temperatures.Weeds compete with plants for water, space and nutrients, so control them by either cultivating often or use a mulch to prevent their seeds from germinating. Keep weeds under control during the growing season.Use the plant tag as a location marker.This settles the plants in, drives out air pockets and results in good root-to-soil contact. Water thoroughly, so that a puddle forms in the saucer you have created.Press soil down firmly with your hand leaving a slight depression around the plant to hold water. Fill with soil to the top of the root ball. Place the top of the root ball even with the level of the surrounding soil.Dig a hole for each plant large enough to amply accommodate the root ball.Level with a rake to remove clumps of grass and stones. Prepare the bed by turning the soil under to a depth of 8 inches.Select a location in full sun with good rich moist organic soil.Thin seedlings to stand 8-24 inches apart, depending on the variety, when they are about 1-2 inches tall.Firm soil lightly with your hand, water and keep evenly moist.Sow seeds evenly 12 inches apart and cover with ¼ inch of fine soil.After the growing season, a soil test will indicate what soil amendments are needed for the following season. If compost is not available, top dress the soil after planting with 1-2 inches of organic mulch, which will begin to breakdown into compost. Compost is a wonderful form of organic matter with a good balance of nutrients and an ideal pH level, it can be added to your planting area at any time. Most plants respond well to soils amended with organic matter.Prepare the soil by removing weeds and working organic matter into the top 6-8 inches of soil then level and smooth.Direct sow seeds in average soil in full sun after all danger of frost.This hardening off process toughens the plant’s cell structure and reduces transplant shock and scalding. If frost threatens at night, cover or bring containers indoors, then take them out again in the morning. Be sure to protect them from wind and hot sun at first. Accustom young plants to outdoor conditions by moving them to a sheltered place outside for a week. Before planting in the garden, seedling plants need to be “hardened off”.Transplant hardened-off seedlings to the garden after the frost.Seedlings do not need much fertilizer, feed when they are 3-4 weeks old using a starter solution (half strength of a complete indoor houseplant food) according to manufacturer’s directions.Thin to one seedling per cell when they have two sets of leaves.Most plants require a dark period to grow, do not leave lights on for 24 hours. ![]() Incandescent bulbs will not work for this process because they will get too hot. Raise the lights as the plants grow taller. As soon as seedlings emerge, provide plenty of light on a sunny windowsill or grow seedlings 3-4 inches beneath fluorescent plant lights turned on 16 hours per day, off for 8 hours at night. ![]()
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