Planting Winter Annuals in Drought

It’s daunting to consider planting winter annuals like pansies and cabbage when we have severe watering restrictions.

But these plant have to be planted by November 1 so they have enough time to grow roots before winter sets in.

Here’s what you can do to have success:

Add 3 inches of soil conditioner on top of the area you intend to plant.

For increased drainage, add 1 inch of gritty sand. Thoroughly mix to a depth of 10 inches.

Tilled bed

Spread two thicknesses of newspaper over the bed.

Spread mulch over the newspaper.

Soak the roots of your flowers in a bucket of bathwater.

Plant the flowers through the mulch and newspaper. Water with houseplant fertilizer mixed with bathwater.

Pansies ready to bloom all winter.

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