GARDENING LAINE: Scaveola - The sun loving annual and my secret to keeping it healthy

Although we were teased all through the month of March with record breaking glorious weather in upstate New York, today is a cool but sunny Spring day here.  It definitely puts me in the mood to start thinking of  the annuals that I will be planting next month into large pots throughout my gardens and walkways.  Although I mostly garden in perennials, I do plant some annuals as well, and Scaveola is one of my absolute "have to haves".   There are 8 stone columns in the front of my house and the picture above is of  one of  the thriving Scaveola that I plant to add the pop of color I need.  I am never sure of what color to call this plant.  At first glance it's a vibrant cobalt blue.  Look more closely and you see periwinkle and then the subtle puff of powder blue.  Lavender and purple emerge while gazing.  Scaveola love sun - lots of it and will not do well in partial shade.   They need to be watered in very well but also need good drainage whether you plant them in a pot or in the ground.   My potting rule of thumb is that the container should be 4 times bigger than the plant that's going into it.  That's if you want to see it produce to it's fullest capacity.  Yes, you can plant up only 1 pot size if you prefer....but why limit your plant's capability for the season?  Even in year round warm weather, a plant will get rootbound in a few months if not given enough room for the roots to grow.  Therefore I plan on much larger pots for transplanting at the season's start.  When potting these up, I first add large stones to the bottom of my pot which always has - I repeat - always has a bunch of drainage holes.  I never trust just "one" hole as it can get clogged, and so when buying my pots (which usually only come with one punch out for a hole), I know that I will be drilling a few more in them.  It takes a few more minutes to get your drill out and do it, but is so worth the effort in the long run.  Small stones may clog the holes so use stones that are proportionately larger than the hole.  Every gardener loves to enjoy the fruits of their labor, right?  If you don't take the time in the beginning to nuture your plant by using good products and caring for them properly, then don't be surprised when they don't do so well.  I hear it all the time:  "But I watered them when I planted them"  Watering well "just at planting time"  (be it in a pot or in the ground) and then ignoring them for weeks at a time will always result in a dead plant  much sooner than you'd like.  So here's what I use to keep my plants happy:   Moisture Control Miracle Grow potting soil.  I start to fill the pot about 1/3 full, placing the soil on top of the rocks and packing down.  I set the plant in the pot so that the plant's original dirt level is going to set 2 - 3" below the rim of the pot.  (you need this space to hold water in the pot)  Then comes the secret ingredient:  Osmocote.  (I will be blogging specifically on Osmocote very soon so keep watching)   Osmocote is a granular fertilizer that I simply don't garden without...ever!  I you want your plants grow and thrive, it pays to spend money on the good stuff.   I generously add it to my potting mix  as I build layers around the plant.  Pack the soil moderately and water the plant in well after potting.  I water well  3 days a week unless it's raining and gloomy out, then it's 2 days.  However, when the weather gets in the 80's & 90's and sunny, I water every day.  That's just what a gardener does!  So, Sun - Water - Drainage - Osmocote, makes for a very happy plant, not only a Scavelola!  Believe me, you will be impressed at the way the plant will triple in size over the growing season.  I have people constantly ask me what I use on my plants and today I am sharing my success with you.  Note:  I had one plant last year that I lost in a large pot.  I believe I may have skipped watering it well for a few days during a 90 degree week.  That cost me my plant, and ultimately made the front yard "umbalanced".  Be very careful and take care of your plants.  I hope you have enjoyed my very first blog!     Greetings from

"Gardening Laine"