Can I plant annuals in Mulch? Impatience, Marigolds?
Question:I have about 3 inches of Mulch down, and the plant balls don't reach the soil. Is it OK to just plant them in the mulch? Has anyone had this experience?
Answers:
As long as you pack it around the roots as well as you can it shouldn't be a problem. The mulch may dry out faster than the underlying soil so you might have to water more often. Impatiens are pretty hardy as are Marigolds. If you plant them close together they'll support each other and make a great blanket of color. Remember to pick the dead flowers off the Marigolds and plan for later in the summer when the Impatiens will get "leggy" and more bushy. I cut the Impatiens in the Fall and root them in water and plant them in pots inside. I have color all Winter long.
I just did it. they are still blooming. and I'll tell ya what i have a BROWN thumb when it comes to gardening.
GOOD LUCK
yes, it is safe. Though you want to plant the flowers first, then put the mulch down spreading so that it isn't on top or covering a flower.
If by `mulch` you mean bark chips, or composted tree shreddings, NO. I mention this because USA `mulch`, appears to mean something different to UK `mulch`. Few plants will grow in woodchips or bark alone.
Mulch does not have enough nutritional or structural support to keep plants alive. It also won't hold enough water to keep your plants happy, so as soon as it gets hot, they will probably die.
Rake your mulch back where you plan to plant, then space your flowers out in rows. Dig your holes and plant your flowers in the dirt, press the dirt in around them to make sure they are supported. Then you can re-mulch around the flowers, leaving a bit of space around them. As they grow, you can pull the mulch in closer. You'll see that they sprout up pretty quick once they are in the ground.
Just as an aside, impatiens are shade loving and marigolds are full sun plants.
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