Planting annuals is a great way to bring color into your life for a whole season.  Many annuals offer bountiful blooms, great for cut flowers, containers, borders, and foundations.  Annuals are easy to find, plant and maintain.  Here are a few tips and general considerations for the annual gardner:

Plan your garden
    - Choose appropriate annuals for sun or shade, based on the location of your annual garden.
    - Pick a color scheme: primary colors, pastels, or a red/white/blue theme.
    - Choose plants according to heights: place taller plants in the back or center, and layer accordingly.
 
Prepare the soil
    - Spade the beds deeply and loosen up heavy clay soil.
    - Amend the soil with peat moss and compost.
    - Mix in fertilizer.  We recommend any annual bloom booster fertilizer, typically a 5-10-5 or 10-10-10.
 
Plant your garden
    - Choose plants that are dark green and vigorous.
    - Separate plant from container, trying to maintain the root ball.
    - Plant root ball below the soil line and cover with loose soil.

Water
    - Water thoroughly when planting.
    - Maintain a regular watering cycle.  Schedule may vary depending on sun or shade, temperature or time of year.