So you have it all planned out... you know just which perennials and bedding plants will go where, which need sun and which need shade...now all you need are the very best planting and maintenance techniques to ensure that your garden really thrives! To get easy, practical know-how on planting like the pros, read on for tips from Disney horticulturist Terry Heelam as he dishes the dirt on healthy planting and maintenance. Heelam starts out by explaining that the plants at Disney are expressly chosen for their abundance of blooms. Varieties like impatiens, marigolds and geraniums are constant favorites. Since the first priority is great color with maxium impact, Heelam says, color combinations are key -- Disney gardeners often create these by simply pairing and mixing complementary hues. (For further detail on combining color and using a color wheel, please see the first project in this episode, Bedding Plants). As the plants are placed in their designated spaces, Heelam says, careful attention is paid to getting the appropriate planting depth for each variety. For example, marigolds (figure A) can be planted deep, while neighboring impatiens require a shallow planting depth. (Heelam notes that plants need to be packed firmly in the soil at all depths.) As the plants are inserted in the ground, they're properly fertilized so they can get a head start on their growth. Heelam recommends using a granular fertilizer (figure B) at planting time, which will release gradually during the first few months of growth. Consult the package for guidelines on how much to apply -- amounts will vary based on the size of the area you're treating. (If you're still unsure, Heelam advises staying on the conservative side: too little is better than too much!) Once the plant has become established, it's often beneficial to use a soluble fertilizer (figure C) to extend the life and beauty of the blooms. To apply, simply mix with water according to package directions and spray directly on the plant (figure D). Apply in the early morning or late afternoon / early evening; do not apply during the heat of the afternoon since this can cause sun damage to the plants. For those who don't have the option of adding bright bedding plants to a garden, Heelam suggests finding other ways to display high-impact blooms. Anything at eye level is ideal, says Heelam: hanging baskets (figure E), window boxes, pots on shelves or pedestals, etc. Just follow the same guidelines for garden planting and let your imagination go! Note: For a tour of Disney's Epcot Center map, click here , available using  .
RESOURCES :
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Emmaus, PA 18098
Phone: 610-967-5171
Fax: 800-813-6627
Email: customer_service@rodalepress.com
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To order this title from Amazon, click here.
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Out of Print
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ASIN: 1889538051
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Author: Chuck Crandall
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Chapters Publishing Ltd.
Phone: 617-351-3855
E-mail: chapterj@together.net
Roses: A Growing Guide for Easy, Colorful Gardens
Model: 0028626362
Author: Mary C. Weaver & George Ball, Jr.
December 1998
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