Question
I PLANT A VARIETY OF ANNUALS IN FLOWER BOXES, IN FULL SUN, EACH SPRING. (PETUNIAS, MARIGOLDS, GERANIUMS, PINKS, ETC)  i WATER THEM EACH EVENING.  WITHIN A SHORT TIME, THEY BECOME LEGGY AND DRY.  WHAT AM I DOING WRONG?
THANKS!
GAIL

Answer
Gail,
Since I don't know where you live and the details about your climate (how hot it gets or doesn't get) I can't address the possible effect that that might have on your plants. But in general, here are some of the things that could cause your plants to "go downhill" in a short amount of time:

1. Be sure to use fresh potting soil each year. If you use the old soil there are still roots in that box that prevent the new plants from spreading their roots out into the dirt.

2. Be sure that there are drainage holes in your boxes. No holes will lead to overly wet soil and root rot.

3. When you water the plants, try not to get the foliage wet. In general it's better to water in the morning so that if the foliage gets wet it has time to dry out before nightfall. Containers are usually planted pretty fully, so there isn't much air circulation around the plants - if the foliage stays moist all night that can lead to diseases such as mildew or botrytis. I realize that boxes in sun probably dry out during sunny days, so you have to water them in the evening, especially if you live in a hot climate, but if that is the case try not to get the leaves wet when you water.

4. Make sure you're not fertilizing every time you water, or fertilizing a thirsty plant. Too much fertilizer can push larger, but weaker growth or even cause "fertilizer burn" if applied when the soil is dry. If you are using a liquid fertilizer, water the containers well first, let the plants get hydrated, and THEN fertilize.  I use a combination of a time-release fertilizer and a granular organic fertilizer in my boxes when I put in the new soil. The time-release (such as Osmocote Indoor Outdoor or Proven Winners Time Release) feeds the first part of the summer and the organic kicks in later in the summer. This combination (amounts at the recommended rates on the packages) doesn't burn plants and I usually don't have to apply more liquid later.

5. Be sure to water deeply when you water - sometimes when potting soil is very dry it pulls away from the edges of the containers, so when the first dose of water is applied it runs down the sides and doesn't ever penetrate the center. The best way to water dry containers is to water well once, then wait a few minutes and go back and water well again. That way the entire box of soil is soaked and the excess runs out the holes.  Never assume that the boxes need watering - feel the soil first and if they are damp then don't water that evening, but wait until the next morning. Too much water causes roots to rot.

If you have been doing all of the above, let me know and we can look at other possible causes.

all the best,
C.L. Fornari
www.gardenlady.com