Even one of the driest summers in our area can’t stop Wave Petunias. It’s been a few weeks and we couldn’t wait to see how it’s going at Shirley’s place. And we’re happy to report that it’s all looking spectacular – and the plants have doubled in size! With her watering endurance, as well as some recent help from Mother Nature, Shirley’s new garden is blooming with colour.
As your garden grows
During our check-in with Shirley, we reminded her that the time between planting her flowers in the ground and the wonderful summer growing season, it’s important to maintain all the good things that are happening in her garden. Here are a few tips to remember:
Weeding – Keep in mind that as your Wave Petunias grow, so do other things in the garden, namely weeds. Yes, these pesky plants want as much water and sunlight as your new flowers. So, get your trusty trowel, spade or weeder and remove them asap. Once you get under that weed, feel for the roots, pop up the weed with a little snap, and ta-da! Sometimes it might take a little work, but believe us, it’s well worth it.
Trimming – What you’ve all been waiting for: When to trim and how to trim. Look at your petunias closely. If they seem leggy to you, it might be time for a haircut. But even more importantly with petunias is when you start to notice seed heads. That’s when you’ll need to find your garden scissors or trimmers. Don’t get these seed heads confused with flower buds, which you want by the way. What happens is that these seed heads will take away the energy from your plant and keep creating more pods, not flowers. To keep your flowers blooming throughout the season, trim off these seed heads, so all the nutrients and energy will focus on growing more blooms.
Also, for more tips on pinching and deadheading, read our How-To Blog: Care & Maintenance for Wave Flowers.
Fertilising – We started with a slow-release granule fertiliser when we first dug the holes and planted Shirley’s petunias (check out Part 3). But remember as the season gets hotter, we recommend you feed your plants with water-soluble fertiliser and a watering can. Do this every two weeks and you’ll see your flowers continue to grow and double in size.
Going on vacation – Before you go on that weekend getaway, or maybe a long summer trip, your plants will need some love while you’re away. Giving them a nice long drink of water (10 seconds or so with a hose or watering can for each plant) will take care of them for about 3-4 days. However, if you’re gone for longer than that, ask a friend or neighbor to water them while you’re away. You can also add mulch to the soil around your plants to help hold in the moisture. Another helpful hint when you have containers or hanging baskets is to take them out of the direct sunlight and place them on your porch or in a shadier area, so they don’t dry out as quickly.
Check out the full video below. Stay tuned for the next blog in this Summer Series to see Shirley’s Mid-Summer Progress in her garden.