An annual is a plant that completes its life cycle, from seed to bloom and back to seed again all in a single growing cycle. 

For masses of constant color in containers or a garden, annuals are the best.  Simple to plant and easy to maintain, annuals can turn your yard into a beautiful garden almost instantly, providing color and visual appeal all summer long!

Gardeners love annuals because of their infinite variety and their lasting blooms. You can plant different annuals year after year and never run out of choices of shape or color. As with music or food, familiarity with annual flowers deepens your enjoyment of them.

Many annuals can be planted outside early without any danger of damage from frost or snow. For an early garden, use annuals that can withstand light frosts. Pansies and snapdragons are frost hardy and can be planted in early April in most locations. For more information on when plants can safely be planted in your area, click here to see the plant hardiness
zone map.

Check your garden soil to make sure there is enough good topsoil. Flower beds need 8 to 12 inches of good quality soil.  No matter what condition your soil is in, it's always a good idea to add a large amount of organic matter, well rotted manure or compost mixed with peat moss for example, to your garden at the beginning of each growing season. It's also beneficial to mix in some inorganic fertilizer or bone meal as well. Organic matter works like a sponge, allowing the soil to hold nutrients and water, resulting in healthy, strong plants. Micro-organisms tend to deplete nitrogen quickly as the organic material decomposes, so additional fertilizer will help replenish your garden soil.