Maintaining Your Perennial Garden

An orderly look to any garden means it has been properly maintained. Maintaining a perennial garden is relatively easy as with any garden that is given proper mulching, watering, fertilization, weed control pruning and pinching. Begin by mulching with 2 or 3 layers of pine bark nuggets, needles or shredded leaves at planting. With good soil additional mulching should be done in early spring.

Organic mulches add much needed nutrients and humus to the soil as they decompose adding more moisture holding capacity. Keep in mind however that if mulches are to heavy their moisture holding capacity may harm your plants. When watering I personally prefer a soaker hose for the simply reason that the water will seep directly into the soil even through the mulch while it avoids the leaves and flowers.

The soil, plant types and temperature as well as the plants growth progress plays an important part in watering. Plants need on average 1 inch of water per week and more if temperatures climb and the winds become high or if they are in bud to flower or flowering. Always allow soil to become somewhat dry before watering again.

Nothing takes away from the beauty of a garden as unsightly weeds so spacing your plants and mulching are the best ways to cut down on weed growth. An herbicide such as Preen can control many weeds problems but not all.

Some herbicides are applied before and after planting before weeds pop up. Before applying any herbicide READ the LABEL CAREFULLY, not all are for flower beds and therefore should be carefully chosen and make sure no weeds are growing before applying. If like me you choose to weed by hand, weeds are easier to pull when the ground is wet.

Most perennial flowers don't need a lot of fertilization so apply in early spring at the beginning of its growing season and again in mid summer when they have become fully established. If their growth rate is fine fertilization may not be necessary.

If you do fertilize remember that over fertilization may promote a lot of pretty green foliage but few blooms and can and may cause your plants to develop diseases. Avoid the plants leaves and blooms if possible, fertilizers will burn them and DO NOT REMOVE the mulch allow the water soak through it, watering well.

Removing the dried flowers and seeds (deadheading) will also promote new growth and healthier plants, simply cut the flowers and stems down to a healthy side. Some will re- bloom after being cut back.

All perennial plants don't need to be because some of their pods are quite attractive. Pinching (after the flower has bloomed) makes some plants fuller and thicker when its terminal growth is pinched and reduces its height making the plant more compact and with more flowers although it may with some plants delay flowering. Plants that respond well to pinching are Asters, Phlox, Chrysanthemums and Petunias. Start pinching in early spring when the shoots are long and discontinue in July.

Eudora DeWynteroffers tips on maintaining Your PerennialGardenon her blog athttp:www.gardentoolguru.com

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