Yes, full sun annuals fertilizer helps your flowers bloom more and grow stronger all season. Most annuals benefit from regular feeding during their short growing time. Without extra food, your plants may stop blooming early or look weak and pale.
I ran a test in my own garden a few years back with two beds of marigolds. One bed got fed every two weeks while the other got no fertilizer at all. By August, the fed plants had twice as many flowers as the unfed ones. The leaves were darker green and the plants stayed bushy instead of getting leggy.
Fertilizing annual flowers matters because these plants grow fast and use up soil nutrients quick. Your annuals have just one season to sprout, grow, bloom, and make seeds. They pack a lot of work into a short time and need plenty of fuel. The nutrients already in your soil often run out by midsummer.
Many gardeners start with 5-10-5 fertilizer when they plant in spring. Use about 1-2 pounds per 100 square feet of bed space in your yard. The middle number means more phosphorus for making flowers. This starter dose helps your annuals grow strong from day one.
Your annual flower feeding schedule should include follow-up feedings every 2-4 weeks through summer. I use a liquid fertilizer that I mix into my watering can for easy use. You can also use slow-release granules that feed plants a little bit each time you water. Either type works well if you stay on schedule.
Container plants need even more feeding than annuals in the ground. Water flushes nutrients out through drainage holes every time you water your pots. Feed container annuals every week or two to replace what washes away. I add half-strength liquid food to my watering can for my potted plants.
Watch your plants for signs that they need more food in your garden. Yellow lower leaves often mean nitrogen is running low in the soil. Few flowers on otherwise healthy plants can point to low phosphorus levels. Purple-tinged leaves suggest the plant needs more phosphorus to thrive.
Too much fertilizer hurts your plants just like too little food does. Extra nitrogen makes lots of leaves but few flowers in your garden beds. Salt buildup from over-feeding burns roots and causes leaf edges to turn brown. Stick to the rates on your fertilizer package and don't think more is better.
Read the full article: Full Sun Annuals That Thrive in Sunshine
