An annual plant is one that germinates, flowers, produces seed and dies, all in one year. Most commonly grown vegetables, like tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) and broccoli (Brassica oleracea), are annuals. Many flowers are annual as well, such as zinnias (Zinnia sp.) and marigolds (Tagetes sp.).
Some gardeners prefer to grow annuals because they are fairly easy to grow, their placement and arrangement can change every year, they flower all summer long and they do not survive cold winter temperatures.
To prepare a bed for annuals, a gardener must always first look to the soil. Mix in compost and/or fertilizer, as needed, before planting annual seeds or starts. Make sure the soil is properly aerated, as well. Read up on the types of annuals you want to grow. The backs of seed packets have some information and asking someone at the nursery can be helpful, as well. With some background knowledge, you can better decide placement and spacing of your annuals. Some require full sun, like the sweet pea (Lathyrus odoratus) and others require shade. Some require several inches of space between each plant, like the common sunflower (Helianthus annuus) but others can be crowded together. Most annuals prefer lots of sun, well-drained soil and at least 6 inches of space between plants (at time of planting).
It is possible to plant your annuals strategically, in order to have flowers in bloom, all season long. By planning ahead and knowing your plants, you can stagger plantings, to have continuous blooms. Try planting varieties near each other that bloom at different times. Annuals may also be interspersed with perennials, like the common hyacinth (Hyacinthus orientalis), for staggered blooming. For a seasonal progression of annual blooms, begin with cold-tolerant plants and add others, either from seed or start, as the season progresses. Succession planting of the same type of annual is possible, as well. For example, you can plant love-in-a-mist (Nigella damascena) seeds every three or four weeks, from early spring (after the last frost) to early summer to extend the blossom season. Think of arrangement of blooms, as well. For example, plant taller annuals, like Cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus,) towards the back of a bed and shorter plants, like impatiens (Impatiens wallerana) toward the front, so they don’t get lost among the taller blooms.
Keep our frost date in mind, when planting annuals (mid to late May). Some annuals can tolerate a light frost (like Calendula sp.) but many will not survive the cold and it is best to wait (like snapdragons, Antirrhinum majus). However, many annuals can be started from seed inside, to get a jump on the season. Succession planting may be used inside, as well, to have a continuous supply of annuals to transplant, as the weather warms.
Annuals can be a great way to add vibrant color to the garden all year. They require little special care, beyond the basic needs of all plants, and their arrangement can change every year!
