My Tulips And Grandflora Phlox Did Not Grow This Year - Knowledgebase Question

Tuckerton, NJ
Avatar for LOVES2WRITE
Question by LOVES2WRITE
October 22, 1999
In May of '99 I panted 10 tulip bulbs and about 10 grandiflora phlox seeds outside my apartment. There are 2 bushes and a small tree also in front of my apartment. None of the flowers I planted grew. I dug the hole for each flower about 2 inches deep and 1-1 1/2 inches apart in space. All summer and fall weeds like crabgrass just came out of the holes where I planted the tulips and the phlox. It has been verydiscouraging since I have never had my own garden before. I was wondering if this spring or sooner would it be a good idea to use Miracle Grow on my garden and spread it around to help the flowers grow.


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Answer from NGA
October 22, 1999
will tell you how large the plants should get so you can figure out the right spacing.

Finally, with regard to fertilizing, yes it is a good idea to fertilize your plants according to the label instructions especially if your soil is not too rich. If flowering plants get too much fertilizer (especially nitrogen) they grow great leaves, but won't bloom. Many gardeners find the water soluble fertilizers such as Miracle Gro very satisfactory. However, fertilizer is not a substitute for proper planting and soil preparation. In fact, fertilizer will help the crabgrass grow just as it helps the desirable plants grow!

If you want more general information on planting a flower garden, you might find "Annuals for Dummies" by Bill Marken or "Gardening for Dummies" by Michael MacCaskey helpful. Both books are full of straightforward information in a fun format, describing how to prepare the soil, selecting plants and caring for them.

Enjoy your garden! will tell you how large the plants should get so you can figure out the right spacing.

Finally, with regard to fertilizing, yes it is a good idea to fertilize your plants according to the label instructions especially if your soil is not too rich. If flowering plants get too much fertilizer (especially nitrogen) they grow great leaves, but won't bloom. Many gardeners find the water soluble fertilizers such as Miracle Gro very satisfactory. However, fertilizer is not a substitute for proper planting and soil preparation. In fact, fertilizer will help the crabgrass grow just as it helps the desirable plants grow!

If you want more general information on planting a flower garden, you might find "Annuals for Dummies" by Bill Marken or "Gardening for Dummies" by Michael MacCaskey helpful. Both books are full of straightforward information in a fun format, describing how to prepare the soil, selecting plants and caring for them.

Enjoy your garden!

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