Perennial Usage Is Not New!

John Steinbeck’s Home – 1906 California

Perennials can be combined with annuals for a tremendous display!

“If you can’t mow ‘em…

Don’t grow ‘em!”

Farmer Friday

Friday’s “modest” farm home!

“Perennials can make you some money!”

Growing Quality Perennials:

• Start with quality plants
• Use quality, well drained soil mix
• Plant at the proper time in a container that provides good drainage
• Proper temperature(s) for stage(s) of growth
• Watering and Fertilization
• Pinching and pruning
• Insect, disease, and animal control.

Start with quality plants

• Bare root clumps
• Small plugs (36 to 128 count trays) – usually
• 3” Jumbo Pots
• Seed/cuttings

Use a quality, well drained soil mix

• Avoid straight mineral soils
• Commercially prepared mixes are available in bags, bulk and bulk bags
• Most commercially prepared mixes have a ‘starter’ nutrient charge

Plant at the proper time in a container that provides good drainage

• Most are planted Feb. – March for spring and summer sales
• May – June for late summer/fall sales
• A few, hosta, day lily and iris, get better root development from a fall (August planting)
• Containers must provide good drainage
• Size of container can be dictated by size of plant, time of planting and market (price point) you are targeting

Commonly used container sizes

• “Quart Pots” – great for price sensitive markets and mass plantings
• “Cheater Gallons” (300 size) – great for price sensitive markets that still desire larger plant
• Standard Gallons (400 size) – targeted for higher end markets desiring, and willing to pay for quality plants

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