Never Too Many Plants

​It is too darn hot and too late in the season to plant anything new.  There is also a dust storm from the Sahara Desert (of all things) fouling the air and making me feel gritty.  Nonetheless, there was a perennial sale at Lowes Garden Centre and as a firm believer in Cramscaping, there is always room for one more plant.   I also convince myself that since I am going to be stuck at home all this summer in the time of Covid-19, I can baby any new plants that I purchase to see them through the 94 degree days.
 
It is far better to plant in the early spring to give things a chance to get their root systems a head start before the hot and sometimes dry days of a full Southern summer.  But who can resist a bargain?   On Facebook today, there was a post with a photo of man holding a sign that said “Need Money.  I am Not Homeless. Wife keeps buying PLANTS.”  Could be about us.   Who can resist a Coneflower (Echinacea pupurea)?  Or a Gaura (Gaura  lindheimeri)?  At under $5.00 a piece?  Lord save me from myself.  I justify my impulse buys by saying to myself that I am saving pollinators.
 

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Now that I have my loot, how am I going to plant these babies?  it is always a good idea to scape off about 1/2 top inch of the soil in the original containers to remove any weed seeds from the nursery.   I like to soak the plants thoroughly and let them sit for about 30 minutes.  I dig the hole about twice as large as the plant and root ball and mix in some organic matter.  I use mushroom compost.  Mix the compost into the existing soil -- that plant has to get used to our soil so don't be too kind!  When you take the plant out of the container, tickle the roots and spread them out particularly if the plant is pot bound with its roots.  You might even have to cut the root mass with scissors or a knife if they are too tightly packed.  Tuck the plant into the hole with soil around it.  It is better to plant too high than too low -- "Plant them high, they never die.  Plant too low, they never grow."  is the old saying.   Water the plant thoroughly and keep monitoring it the first two weeks.  Do not over water, but it will need plenty of help in these hot, dry conditions.  A water monitor is a handy tool to own.   Happy Planting!