Caring for Perennials: as we quickly move toward warmer weather, it is important to consider how we are going to care for and water our perennials.
Preparing the growing bed
To give perennials the best start it is important to properly prepare the growing bed. Remove all perennial weeds and ensure the soil is loose enough to allow the roots to grow out. If your soil is liable to drying out, such as a sandy soil, or if your soil is low in organic matter, such as a clay or loam, consider forking in some leaf mould, garden compost or well-rotted manure. This will improve the structure of the soil and help retain moisture in dry periods.
Water the roots of the perennials before planting out, then plant out using a trowel, firming the soil around the plants by hand and then watering in thoroughly.
Mulching
After planting out consider applying an organic mulch around your perennials to help retain moisture and to allow your plants to establish more quickly.
Organic mulches are made from dead plant material such as compost, leaves, bark or grass clippings. If you have a compost bin, matured garden compost can make an excellent mulch and will also add some nutrient to the soil.
Watering
In general, perennials need about an inch of water per week to be healthy. This can come from rain, watering, or a combination of both.
Noticing wilted plants is usually a good indicator that it’s time to water. However, droopy leaves and stems aren’t necessarily a signal that the plant is drought-stressed. Many perennials wilt in the afternoon, especially on hot, sunny days, but then they’re fine by morning.
To check how moist your soil is, dig down 75mm to 100mm to the depth of your plants’ roots and check to see how moist the soil is. It is quite often the case that soil which appears dry and dusty on the surface, in fact retains good moisture just a few millimetres down.
If you do need to water, consider watering early in the morning. This method loses less water to evaporation and better soaks the roots. If you have to water later in the day, make sure to allow plenty of time for your plants to dry out, to reduce the possibility of disease.
Deadheading
Many perennials will continue to bloom throughout the season if they are regularly deadheaded. Fading flowers can be unattractive and can direct energy into seed development if pollinated. Deadheading will encourage further flowering and help maintain the look of the plant.
A good and attractive show
Thus, caring for perennials by preparing your growing bed well, mulching after planting, observing a good watering regime and deadheading where appropriate, your plants should remain healthy and strong and deliver you good and attractive show throughout the growing season.
