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Time for Fall Planting
15:10 Posted In Gardening Edit This 0 Comments »
I have plans to get some pansies in the ground soon. Here in zone 7 in Tennessee they last all winter and will bloom into springtime. To get a good start I mix in some bone meal and time release fertilizer and a little granulated gel. The bone meal will help in root development, and it has the same effect as adding manure to soil. The time release fertilizer will help with blooms, and the granulated gel is great to absorb water and release it to water the roots as they need it. This will help if you forget to water them or just want to water less. You can calculate that if it has rained at least once a week, you won't really have to get out the hose. Oh, these little faces are great around my mailbox and in pots on the back porch. They are so worth it.
If you are really patient and want to encourage good roots, it hurts, but you can pinch off the blooms. It may take up to 2 weeks for the flower buds to come back, but you will sure have some hardy roots developing underneath. Remember when buying the best plants are short and have no roots showing on the outside. If you peek into the pack and see roots all wound around the bottom don't buy them. They have been sitting out too long. You want the roots to go deep into the ground.
For a little surprise, plant a few tulip or daffodil bulbs deeper than the pansies and plant the pansies on the top. In the spring, you'll have a full show.
Happy planting!
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