April Week 3

Organic Gardening Calendar
0 Weeks to frost free date in zone 6

By: Kathi

It’s planting time! Let’s get out those transplants we started or make run to Big Box to get some new plants.

Things you will need:
Perennials
Annuals


Which to plant? Perennials? Or Annuals? In my mind you plant both. If you are planning your yard or your flower garden you must think of it in 4 dimensions. The fourth dimension, Time, is the one that everyone seems to forget to consider.

You have laid out your flower bed, and you are at the Big Box trying to decide what to buy. Perennials are more expensive and bloom only for a few weeks; generally…annuals are real cheap and bloom all summer.

At least that is what it seems.

A single perennial, will cost as much as 12 annuals more or less. The perennial will grow larger each year until it reaches its maximum size…generally by the 3-5th years. It will most likely reproduce or can be divided after several years to make more of them, and they reliably do their thing year after year without out you having to anything other than basic bed maintenance and watering.

If you have a new bed just getting started, Put out a ratio of about 75% annuals to 25% perennials. This will give you the color you want, and will start you toward a perennial bed. Each year do the same plant a 75/25 split. In just a few years there won’t be any more room to plant anything. You bed is done, It is maturing and all you have to do is spread pre emergent to keep it looking professional. There is no lazier or more rewarding gardening than perennials.

You must select them carefully. Always consider bloom time. With careful consideration, you can have something blooming from mid February through late November. My favorite perennials are the ones that do their thing then go dormant, leaving the space for something else to grow. Great shade garden combinations are Virginia Bluebells and Hostas. The bluebells come up, blooms, and fades with in a month or so. Just as they fade the Hostas are getting big enough to need the Bluebells space.

Lycoris are also great for going dormant – basically the same timing as a daffodil- but then pooping up in August with fabulous blooms, that vanish as soon as they are done with their annual display...

Use annuals to fill in or if you have favorites, by all means have them…but for lazy gardening. Go perennials.

Next week:
Planting your row crops