Planting
Your transplants will grow best and reward you the most if they are set out into well-prepared garden soil. If your soil needs fertilizer or pH correction, take care of these tasks before you turn or rake the soil for the last time.
Before planting, smooth the surface of your bed with a garden rake. Level out any depressions and remove hard clods, rocks and sticks.
To get proper spacing, place your transplants on the surface of the garden bed in an arrangement that pleases you. DO THIS IN SMALL GROUPS . . . YOU DON’T WANT PLANTS TO WILT BEFORE YOU CAN PLANT THEM! Space far enough apart so that each plant can grow to maturity without overcrowding its neighbor. Some plants need more space than others; your catalog and packet instructions recommend optimum spacing.
Some plants, especially those with base branching habit, do not like to have their stems buried. These include: Gerbera, Gazania, Pansy, Petunia, Primula, Salvia, Zinnia, Ageratum, Begonia, Cabbage, Lettuce, Pepper and others.
Other species, such as Marigolds, Chrysan-the-mums, Coleus, Cosmos, Impatiens, and Tomatoes do not mind if the lower part of their stems is buried, and will root readily along the buried portion of the stem.
Do not bury leaves. If you do plant part of the stem underground, remove the leaves from that part of the stem first.
Avoid planting any debris such as sticks or leaves along with the root system of your plants. Such debris interferes with the necessary contact between root and soil.
