Annual garden

This is for you if you want non-stop colour in your garden, with flowers from spring to fall. Keep your annuals happy by deadheading, weeding and watering.

Annual gardens have a life cycle that lasts for just a year, it begins with the germination of seed, the plant then blooms and produces the next generation of seed after which the parent plant dies.

You can add real diversity to your garden with annual plants as they come in so many varieties and species.

Things to consider when planning your annual garden

Height; Annual plants can grow to many different heights so it's best to plan for this in advance to make sure they are all visible and get the light they require. The most recommended layout is to work your way outwards layering the plants from the centre of the bed, the tallest plants first, then decreasing in height to the shortest at the edge of the bed.

Timing; Try and fill you garden with blooming plants all year round. Double check whether your plants are cool or warm season and plant them accordingly to ensure different parts of the garden bloom at different times.

Fragrance; When planting your annuals, consider how they smell as well as how they will look, as many plants have distinctive fragrances.

Growing needs; Before planting, always check that you will be meeting the requirements, in terms of sun, shade, water and soil, of your plants.

Space; Do not overcrowd your garden; a bed 3 ft deep will be appropriate for approximately 3 rows of annuals. A good guide for spacing your plants is the length of a common garden trowel, this will avoid the spread of disease and stress for your plants.

Layout; When planning your garden, don't just plant in straight lines; a relaxed zig zag pattern will be more aesthetically pleasing. It is always a good idea to keep note of what you have planted to help you plan for next year's garden.

Preparing and planting

• Water your garden thoroughly.
• Use a shovel or rake to spread a couple of inches of peat around your garden bed to add nutrients and moisture retention to your soil.
• Add a layer of composted manure to your garden to help kill weeds and add essential nutrients.
• Turn your soil to ensure you garden bed is prepared, removing any unwanted weeds as you go.
• Plant your desired annuals with adequate spacing, making sure none of the roots are exposed.
• Water your garden again after planting to "muddy" your plants.
• Add a layer of mulch and water again to retain as much moisture as possible, stop the spread of disease and the growth of unwanted weeds.