Gardening with Spring Annuals in Alabama

Planting annual plants is a great way to bring color and vibrancy to your garden. But heading to the garden center can be a daunting experience. With so many types of plants, it’s hard to know which ones are right for you and your needs. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced gardener, here is a guide to help you choose the best plants at your garden center.

The first step in choosing the best plants is knowing what climate zone your home is located in. Northern Alabama is currently zone 7 and Southern Alabama is zone 8 with parts of Mobile and Baldwin counties in zone 9. Different climates have different temperatures and moisture levels that affect how well certain plants will grow.

Shopping for the Right Plant

Once you know which type of plants are suitable for your climate, it’s time to start looking for healthy specimens at the garden center. When selecting a plant, check if it has white healthy roots and robust foliage growth; avoid any plants with yellowing leaves or wilting stems as they may already be diseased or stressed. Also, look for signs that pests may be infesting the plant.

Before bringing any plant home, it’s important to understand its specific requirements so you can provide it with proper care once it’s planted in your garden. For example, some plants require full sun while others prefer shade; some need more water than others while some tolerate drought better than most; some need regular fertilizing while others don’t require any additional nutrients at all—these are all factors that should be taken into consideration when selecting a plant from the garden center. Doing research ahead of time or talking with garden center staff will ensure that you choose only those plants that fit into your existing landscape and match your gardening style and skill level.

To Bloom or Not to Bloom is the Question

If you’ve ever gone to the nursery or garden center and seen the lush, vibrant blooms of plants that have already begun flowering, you may be tempted to buy those immediately. After all, who wouldn’t want a beautiful garden full of color? But marketing has created a myth that blooming plants are better than plants not yet in bloom. And it couldn’t be further from the truth! In fact, plants that have yet to begin blooming are better to handle the stress of transplanting.

When you transplant a plant, it experiences physiological stress—it essentially goes into shock as it adjusts to its new environment. When a plant is experiencing stress, it takes energy away from processes like rooting, foliage growth, flowering or fruit production. That means if you transplant a blooming plant, there will be less energy available for root and foliage growth because so much was used up producing flowers. On the other hand, if you transplant a non-blooming plant, more of its energy can go into rooting and foliage growth before producing flowers.

Plants not yet in bloom offer numerous advantages over blooming plants when it comes to successful gardens—from less stress due to an abundance of energy available for root and foliage growth after transplanting, to improved success rates due to reduced disease issues from stress. So next time you head out shopping for your garden or landscaping project, remember that although those beautiful blooms may look enticing now, non-blooming plants can provide even greater success and blooming rewards down the road!

Adding Compost and Fertilizer to Improve Soil Quality

Have you ever noticed that some gardens are lush and vibrant, while others look more like a barren wasteland? The difference is often due to the soil quality. Poor soil can lead to unhealthy plants, low yields, and discolored foliage. Fortunately, there’s an easy fix: composting or adding fertilizer. Let’s explore how these two methods can help improve your soil!

Composting is the process of breaking down organic matter such as leaves and kitchen scraps into a nutrient-rich soil amendment. It’s an easy way to add beneficial bacteria and nutrients to your garden without spending money on costly fertilizers or additives. Compost also helps improve the structure of your soil by increasing its water holding capacity. Not only will this make your plants healthier, but it will help reduce water waste as well! Additionally, composting is incredibly easy—all you need is a large container (or even just a pile) and some kitchen scraps or yard clippings.

Fertilizer is another great way to amend your soil. Unlike composting, which relies on bacteria and fungi to break down materials over time, fertilizer adds nutrients directly to the soil in the form of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and other micronutrients. Applying fertilizer regularly can provide a quick boost of nutrition for your plants and encourage growth. However, it’s important not to overdo it; too much fertilizer can burn plants or cause them to become leggy due to excessive phosphorus levels.

Whether you choose composting or fertilizing (or both!), improving the quality of your soil with either method will result in healthier plants that yield greater harvests than before. By taking the time to amend your soil now with either compost or fertilizer, you’ll be able to enjoy a more bountiful garden for years to come! Whether you’re a beginner gardener looking for tips on how to get started or an experienced green thumb looking for ways optimize their current gardening efforts, adding compost or fertilizer should be high up on the list of things that you do!

Deadhead Flowers for Continuous Blooms

Did you know that deadheading flowers can help keep your garden looking healthy and vibrant? Deadheading is the process of removing spent blooms from plants to encourage new growth. It’s an important yet simple gardening task that can have a big impact on your garden’s appearance.

Deadheading flowers can help promote new growth, create fuller plants with more blooms, and improve the overall plant health. When you deadhead a flower, it redirects nutrients back into the plant instead of allowing them to be used in the development of seeds. This means that energy is directed towards creating more blooms and foliage. Additionally, by removing spent flowers, you are reducing chances of disease.

Start by snipping off any wilted or brown flowers near the base of the flower with sharp scissors or pruners. Be sure not to cut too far down into any unopened buds or plant stems. Once all of the old flowers have been removed, take a few steps back and check if there are any more faded flowers that need removing before moving onto another plant in your garden!

Deadheading spent flowers is an essential gardening task for keeping your garden looking vibrant and healthy throughout the growing season. By removing spent blossoms from plants as soon as they begin to fade, you can promote new growth and enjoy longer lasting blooms in your garden!

Following these tips can help ensure your spring annuals have the best chance for survival and can put on a show all season long!

If you’re an Alabamian looking to plant potatoes, the timing of your planting is essential. Plant too soon and the cold temperatures may cause damage to the crop; plant too late and there may not be enough time for a successful harvest before Summer temperatures. Fortunately, with a little knowledge and planning, you can ensure that your potato-planting project will yield a bountiful harvest.

When To Plant Potatoes In Alabama

The best time to plant potatoes in Alabama is typically between early February and early March. This gives them plenty of time to fully develop before the hot summer months arrive. It’s important to keep in mind that each variety of potato has its own individual needs when it comes to planting times, so be sure to check the instructions on your seed potato for specifics.

Before you start planting, make sure that your soil is ready. The ideal soil temperature should be between 55°F and 65°F (12-18°C). You can check this by taking a 6 or 8 inch deep soil sample from several different points in your garden area and measuring the temperature with a thermometer. Once the soil has reached this temperature range, you can begin planting.

One important thing to remember when planting potatoes in Alabama is that there are two main types—early varieties and late varieties—and each requires different timing for optimal success. Early varieties are best planted early, while late varieties should wait until mid-March or later. Additionally, certain areas within Alabama may require different planting times due to differences in climate or terrain; talk to local gardeners or specialists at your local garden center for advice specific to your area if needed.

In conclusion, if you’re an Alabamian looking to plant potatoes this year, timing is key! Aim for February through March as an optimal time frame for the majority of potato varieties. However, always double check the instructions on your seed potato before getting started and don’t forget that certain areas within Alabama may require different planting times due to differences in climate or terrain. With a little knowledge and planning you can make sure that your potato-planting project yields a delicious harvest!

Planting Potatoes in the Right Soil

Potatoes are a hardy crop that grows well in a variety of soils and climates. However, growing them successfully means understanding which type of soil is best for planting potatoes. Let’s take a look at what makes the perfect soil for planting your potatoes.

The ideal soil for growing potatoes is loamy soil with good drainage. Loam is a combination of sand, silt, and clay particles that help provide structure to the soil and enable it to hold both water and nutrients. This type of soil also has plenty of organic matter, which helps create an environment that encourages healthy potato growth.

If your soil isn’t quite as loamy as you would like it to be, there are ways to improve it before planting your potatoes. You can do this by adding compost or manure to the soil, which will help add more organic material and improve its texture over time. You should also make sure your soil has plenty of drainage by testing it with a shovel or spade and making sure it doesn’t become saturated when you water it.

The pH level of your soil is another important factor when it comes to growing potatoes successfully. The optimal pH level for potato plants is between 4.8 and 5.4, but they will still grow if the pH level is slightly higher or lower than this range as long as other environmental factors are favorable for their growth. To test the pH level of your soil, use an inexpensive testing kit from your local gardening store or nursery.

The Basics of Planting and Harvesting Potatoes

When planting potatoes, you want to make sure that they are buried deep enough in the soil so that their stems have plenty of room to grow and develop. Generally speaking, you want your potatoes planted 4-6 inches down into the soil. However, this may vary depending on your climate and type of soil you’re working with. If your soil is heavy and moist, you may need to plant them closer to six inches down; if it is light and sandy, closer to four inches will do.

You also want to make sure that you leave about 12-18 inches between each potato when planting them in a row. This gives each potato ample space for its roots and stem growth. This spacing also applies when planting multiple rows of potatoes—it’s important not to overcrowd them! Potato plants will yield more abundantly when given plenty of space.

It usually take about 70-80 days from planting for your potatoes to be ready for harvest time! When harvesting potatoes, it’s important not to dig too deeply as this can harm or damage the tubers while they’re still growing underground. The best way is just use a garden fork or hoe around the base of the plant gently pushing away some dirt until you see a few tubers near the surface which can then be easily pulled up out of the ground by hand. Be sure not wait too long though – once potato tops turn yellow and begin dying off it means that they are done growing and any remaining tubers left in the ground won’t mature enough before winter sets in so they must be harvested quickly!

Planting potatoes doesn’t have to be difficult or intimidating – if you know what depth you should bury them at and give them adequate spacing between plants then you’ll have no problem achieving a bountiful harvest come harvest time! Just remember: Plant your potatoes 4-6 inches down into the soil with 12-18 inches between each potato when planting in rows or beds, wait until 70-80 days from planting time has passed before harvesting, and use a garden fork or hoe around the base of your plants when harvesting instead of digging deeply so as not disturb any still-growing tubers underground! With these tips in mind, happy gardening!

Hardy Hibiscus, Rose Mallow, Swamp Mallow, Hibiscus moscheutos

If you’re looking for a beautiful, long-blooming flower to add to your garden, look no further than the hardy hibiscus! These magnificent blooms come in a variety of colors, and can be grown in almost any climate. In this blog post, we will discuss how to grow and care for these flowers. We’ll also provide tips on choosing the right variety for your needs. So read on to learn more about these amazing plants!

What are Hardy Hibiscus?

Hardy hibiscus are a type of flowering plant that is native to tropical and subtropical regions. They are known for their large, showy flowers, which can be up to 12 inches in diameter! Hardy hibiscus come in a variety of colors, including white, pink, red, and purple. These flowers typically bloom from late summer to early fall, and their blooms can last for up to two weeks.

Where to Plant Hardy Hibiscus?

Hardy hibiscus can be grown in almost any climate, Zone 5-9, as long as they are planted in an area that receives full sun. They prefer well-drained soil, and will need to be watered regularly during the growing season. When choosing a location to plant your hardy hibiscus, make sure to select an area that is large enough to accommodate the plant’s mature size. These plants can grow to be up to six feet tall and four feet wide, so they will need plenty of space to thrive!

How to Care for Hardy Hibiscus?

Hardy hibiscus are relatively low-maintenance plants, but there are a few things you can do to ensure that they thrive. First, make sure to deadhead the flowers regularly to encourage new blooms. Secondly, fertilize your plants once a month during the growing season with a balanced fertilizer. Lastly, cut the plants back to about two feet in height in late fall to encourage new growth in the spring.

What do you do with hardy hibiscus in the winter?

North Alabama, you may need to provide additional protection, such as wrapping the plant in burlap or placing it in a protected area. Central and South Alabama should need no protection.

With a little care, hardy hibiscus can provide you with beautiful blooms for many years to come! So don’t hesitate to add these plants to your garden today.

When to Plant Okra in Alabama

Okra or Lady’s finger is a popular vegetable that is widely grown in tropical and sub-tropical regions across the world. It has been a staple food for many people in African, Asian and Indian communities for centuries. With regular care and right growing conditions, okra plants can be productive throughout the Alabama growing season, even during summer months.

The key to growing okra successfully in your garden is selecting the right variety that suits the climatic conditions of your area. We’ve selected Clemson Spineless & Okinawa Pink for Alabama. The plant thrives in warm and moist weather and does not tolerate frost. Unlike many other vegetables, it does not need well-drained soil and grows well in heavy clay or sandy soils. However, you should make sure that the soil is not water-logged as this can lead to root rot.

Okra seeds can be direct sown in the garden or started indoors 4-6 weeks before the last frost date. Sow the seeds 1/2 inch deep in moist, well-drained soil and keep them warm (70-80 degrees F). Once the seedlings emerge, thin them to 12-18 inches apart. Alabama garden centers can have seeds and plants available from Alabama Grown.

The plants will start bearing flowers and fruits 60-90 days after planting. The fruits are best harvested when they are 3-4 inches long and still tender. You can pick them every 2-3 days to encourage more fruiting.

What are the Crystals on Okra Plants?

While okra are self-pollinating with both male and female parts on the same flower. The plant secrets sugary sap that forms crystals to draw ants for pollination.

Why are Ants on Okra Plants?

The ants are there to help pollinate the flowers. The plants secret a sugary sap to draw the ants to the plants.