Is there a difference between the fertilizer needs of annuals and perennials?
Annuals complete their life cycle in one growing season, so they do need more fertilizer than perennials that have the advantage of starting over each season from a hardy root system. Of course, annuals could live with the same amount of fertilizer as perennials or any other plants, but to get the most out of them, it pays to provide annuals with fertilizer regularly throughout the season. Do all annuals need the same fertilizer? Most annuals are grown for their prolific flowering but there are also some varieties grown for their beautiful foliage. Annual plants that are grown for their flowers need lots of phosphorus. That is the middle number in the analysis (10-20-10). Phosphorus encourages blooming as well as strong roots and disease resistance. Annuals grown for their foliage need less phosphorus and more nitrogen. Nitrogen is the first number in the analysis (10-20-10) and it encourages lots of leaf growth. Is the same thing true with perennials? Yes. And since most perennials on
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