Growing Petunias and Pansies in Tasmania, Australia.

This article was provided by 'J. Margaret Davis'

There are many different colours of petunias to choose from. Plant seedings in bed of one colour or many colours together. Plant 20 to 25cm apart, water in well. Petunias are an annual. I recommend planting seedlings which can be purchased at your local nursery. Plant in spring when all the hard frosts are gone and petunias will reward you with long lasting colour throughout the spring, summer and autumn. To encourage the plant to spread pinch back, as they grow and begin to flower dead heading is recommended. Fertilising the plants can promote growth - but -always water before fertilising. Prepare the ground with compost that is aged and use snail bait or a saucer of beer to help keep the snails at bay.
 
Pansies.
What another delightful flower. Classed as an biennial but in certain areas will bloom most of the year for approximately 3 years. Pansies are a wonderful winter flower, the idea is to get them blooming in the autumn so they will be in flower by winter, however in the winter they do not grow but they will still bloom and as soon as a little warmer weather arrives off they grow. Pinch off dead flowers to encourage growth. Pansies can be fed and will go on flowering through the summer if planted in a shadier spot. Pansies seem to prefer good air circulation in summer as powdery mildew can be a problem, however this can be treated with any good fungicide.
 

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