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When choosing plants or seedlings opt for those
with healthy green leaves. If the leaves
are yellowing or a bronze colour don't buy them
even if they are reduced in price. Choose
plants with buds on them rather than blooms.
Buy sturdy plants - not gangly specimens.
Check under the leaves for any bugs before you
purchase them.
Before planting, take a look at the roots of
your plant/seedlings. How matted are they?
If they are very matted then you will need to
loosen them manually by gently teasing them
apart. If necessary you may even need to cut off
a lot of the root ball. The plant may have
out-grown its pot in the nursery and the roots
may have wound themselves around each other in
desperation looking for space and nourishment.
If some of your plants are a little gangly then
you can snip them back a little to encourage
them to sprout out from the sides. Although this
seems harsh you will almost certainly obtain
more blooms by doing this.
When planting out it is preferable to stagger
the rows of plants so that the second row of
plants sits behind the first row but in the gaps
behind the plants.
Don't guess how far to space your plants.
Use a measured stick.
Helpful web
sites:
The Back Yard Gardener
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