How to Take Care of Daisies
Daisies are perennial flowers with bright yellow centers and dozens of thin white, blue, purple, pink or yellow petals. Since the flowers require little care, spread quickly and adapt to a wide variety of soil types, some gardeners consider them a weed. Others favor the flowers for their attractive simplicity and symbolic associations with innocence and joy. Daisies complement rock gardens and work well in bouquets and vase arrangements. Children enjoy making daisy chain necklaces and halos with the flowers. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Compost, manure or leaf mold
- Sand
- Garden spade
- 8-8-8 or 10-10-10 fertilizer
- Drop spreader
- Flower pots
- Potting mix
- Mulch
Instructions
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Select a sunny, south- or east-facing plot of land to grow daisies. The flowers require full sun to thrive.
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Prepare the land at least a year ahead of time to establish nutrient-rich, well-drained soil. Work organic matter such as compost, manure or leaf mold into the soil to a depth of 10 to 12 inches. Top the organic matter with 1 or 2 inches of sand for proper drainage.
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3
Fertilize the soil at a rate of 2 lbs. per 100 square feet of soil, using a drop spreader to cover large areas.
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4
Fill flower pots with a coarse potting mix. Plant daisy seeds in early spring and keep the soil moist, but not damp. Set the flower pots in full sun. You can also purchase daisy plants from garden centers.
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Transfer the daisies to the prepared outdoor location once the roots are established. Plant the daisies as deep as they were set in their starting pot.
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Spread mulch around the daisies, leaving ½ inch of space around the stems. Mulch will help the daisies retain water.
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Water the daisies once every four to five days during the first season. Once the plants are fully grown, water them only during dry periods.
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References
Resources
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