Fall Is Planting Time; Pansies, Mums, and Perennials

Fall is around the corner and as the seasons change so do the plants. Pansies and Mums have just arrived and looking really good. Pansies are a cool season annual that grow throughout the winter and spring. Unfortunately, it gets to hot in our summers and they burn out. We have them in 4 inch pots and you'll want to plant them about 6-8 inches apart. I prefer mixing the colors but you can plant a solid patch of color. Pansies have a cute little face that really brightens up your gray winter days, how the peck out there head after a snow to say hello. To help the pansies stay healthy use blood meal when you plant. This is a slow release fertilizer that feeds the whole season. Blood Meal is a organic source of nitrogen, which enhances top growth. This will keep the pansies putting on new blooms.
Mums are a perennial plant that is used for fall color. some people put them in just for fall color and then pull them out. Mums will get quite large, we have had them get 24 inches tall and wide. However, they are a little brittle, the stem can break pretty easy. If you want to keep your mums over to bloom for you next fall you will have to pinch the buds throughout the spring and summer. Make you last pinch about the 4th of July and let them set bud to bloom in the fall. Feed mums with bone meal, this will help the set bud and develop a strong root system. During the spring and summer you will have to watch out for insects and fungus disease. These two problems are why some people will pull them out after fall. They also look like dead plants in the winter, this can detract from your landscape.
The final item is that the fall is a good time to plant those perennials you want to get started in you landscape. By planting in the fall the perennial will have all fall, winter, and early spring to get a good root hold, this will also enhance the blooming of these special plants. The main draw back to planting perennials in the fall is that the that the availability may not be real good. That special perennial that you want may not be able to be found. Also if we have a dry winter you will have to water those beloved plants, if you fail to do so they will rest in peace.
So when your summer annuals finally play out come pick up some pansies or mums. Bright you fall days with color that will keep you smiling all winter. If we can answer any of your questions or help you and any way please give us the opportunity, Farmers Grain Co. 102 W. 1st Edmond, OK 73003. Phone number 405-341-3310 or follow us on Twitter @ farmersgrainman. Email is also available @ csuenram@aol.com title it question for Chris.