Tri-County News

Tips on purchasing plants


Purchasing plants each spring can add a little energy into any gardener. Annual flowers, vegetable plants, and perennials can be a vibrant addition to our gardens. Here are some tips to keep in mind before heading out to buy plants:

?Ä¢ Color and Appearance: Put thought into what colors, varieties, and overall appearance you want to have in your gardens this year. Having a plan before you go will help prevent over-spending and ending up with a mix-and-match in your yard that wasn?Äôt really what you had in mind.

?Ä¢ Strong Plants: Purchase plants that are healthy. Look for plants with strong, sturdy stems, and compact growth; avoid any that look leggy and struggle to hold themselves up. If the plant is leggy, look for new growth at the base of the plant. Once you take the plant home an option is to prune out the overgrown parts, and the new growth will develop into an attractive compact plant.

?Ä¢ Disease Resistant Varieties: Another tip when purchasing vegetables and annual flowers is to purchase disease resistance varieties. Battling disease can end up being very expensive or result in loss of appearance or production of the plant, so be sure to look for varieties that indicate disease resistance.

?Ä¢ Avoid Plants in Bloom: As tempting as it may be to purchase plants already in bloom, purchasing plants with ample amounts of buds is more important. Transplanting any plant may put stress on the plant; therefore if you can?Äôt fight the temptation to purchase plants in full bloom, when transplanting, remove those blooms to allow the plant to put the energy into the roots.

?Ä¢ Perennials: Tips for purchasing perennials include looking for healthy plants free of spots or discoloration which may be signs of disease. Look for plants that have numerous stems coming out from the crown. This is a sign the plant is more mature and likely has a more sufficient root system. If the plant can be easily popped out of the container and the roots are tightly wound around to the point that very little soil is visible, this plant is root-bound. Look for healthy white colored roots versus brown, unhealthy, mushy roots.

?Ä¢ Right Plant, Right Place: Regardless if you are purchasing an annual flower or vegetable or a perennial, be sure to read the label or tag to determine what type of conditions the plant requires. Consider its light requirements and the soil or drainage requirements; some plants are quite adaptable, but others require specific soil conditions to be successful. Determine the plant size, and be sure the area you plan to plant in has adequate space.

Keep these tips in mind as you put together your shopping list for the garden centers. Having a plan will help make the whole experience and end result better.

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