Question
I am a beginning gardner that lives in North Texas.  I end up killing everything....I cannot keep an annual alive.
We have clay were I live, therefore, I need to use a type of soil.
I want to plant some annuals in my front flower garden (which is all greenery at the time) for color.  Do you have suggestions on which annuals to plant, which soil to use, how to plant them, how I should water them, etc.

I need help to become a better gardner.....

Thanks!
Cassandra


Answer
Cassandra,
First of all, know that you aren't a real gardener until you've killed plants.  I've  done in hundreds of them myself.

I have also gardened in clay, so I know what you're up against.  Interestingly, the solution to clay is the same as the way we treat sand (which I have now) and that is organic matter.  Digging  compost or composted manure into the soil (down about 10 to 12 inches) is key before you plant annuals or perennials.  For annual gardens, dig it in before you plant or at the end of the season in the fall.

The next "secret for success" with annuals is to dig in time-release fertilizer just before you plant - dig it into the soil all around where the annuals will grow and about 6-8" down.  Brands common in my area are Osmocote and Proven Winners, but you might find other brands where you live.   These fertilizers usually last for about 3 months (no matter what the labels say) and 3 months after planting your annuals you'll want to give them a liquid feed every two or three weeks.

Never fertilize a thirsty plant.  If your annuals (in the gound or in pots) are dry, water them well first, and THEN fertilize a couple of hours later.

Water deeply less often - watering every four days for two hours is better than watering every day for 20 minutes....you want to soak the soil deeply so that the roots grow deeply, so that the plants can last a few days in between watering.  Watering too frequently leads to rotted plants at the soil surface, but dry roots down below.

Marigolds love clay soil and they do very well.  Zinnias should also grow for you, and provided you don't over-water and your soil is amended, verbena.  I grew California poppies, salvia, cleome, cosmos and nasturshims in my clay soil.  Try Wave petunias (they are different from other petunias) and scaevola.

I hope this helps!
C.L.
www.gardenlady.com