Bed preparation

Two inches of mushroom compost was added to all beds before tilling. Bed pH was adjusted to 5.8 using iron sulfate and Osmocote 18-6-12, 8-9 month formulation, was applied at a rate of 25 lbs/1,000 ft2. Beds were tilled the first week of March. Beds were watered by drip irrigation once daily initially, and then less frequently as plants became established. Two inches of aged pine bark (provided by Graco fertilizer) was spread a week after planting. A single application of Peters 20-10-20 at 150 ppm was applied two weeks after planting.

Planting

Plugs and vegetative liners arrived weeks 8-10 (late February and early March) and were transplanted into 80 mm Jumbo Ellepots (provided by Knox Nursery). Plants were grown in the greenhouse for approximately three weeks and transplanted into the gardens in late March and early April. Each plot contained nine plants in a 3x3 configuration and spaced 12" on center.

Maintenance

Most plants were pinched once prior to transplant in the gardens. After planting, the plants were not pinched or deadheaded during the season. Pesticides were not routinely applied. Sevin was applied as needed for cuphea beetle control on fuchsia, cuphea, gaura, and oenothera.