1.   Get a soil test before making a new bed - or figure that, if grass grows, so will annual flowers.

Do your soil work at least a month before planting time in your area and see "eHow to Build Organic

Soil" for details on soil preparation. 
 
2.   Work up the soil soon after the last frost date in your area and rake it smooth to plant seeds.

Keep moist and covered with a board or hay mulch until seeds sprout, then remove. Feed seedlings at

three inches tall with compost tea or diluted fish emulsion. 
 
3.   Or, choose transplants with potential - good green color, sturdy growth and no flowers yet. You

want them to root well in your garden before flowering. Water in each transplant at planting time with

compost tea or fish emulsion and take off the first flowers to reduce transplant shock and promote

rooting. 
 
4.   Put annuals in pots, among perennials, to bridge their seasons and en masse in small beds. Mix up

sizes and species in each planting area to confuse insects and inhibit the spread of leaf diseases. 
 
5.   Fertilize every ten days with a balanced organic flower formula and pinch new growth if it's

spindly. 
 
6.   Walk the garden daily. Watch for pests and deal with them promptly. Make cardboard collars for

little stems if cutworms have plagued you before. Combat bugs by spraying the bed with soapy water, or

spray only affected plants. See "eHow to Control Pests Organically." 
 
7.   Enjoy your flowers and deadhead regularly (pick off the flowers before they fade in order to

promote free-flowering). Fertilize after each flush of bloom and keep the beds watered and mulched. 
 

 Buy organic seed when possible and never use genetically altered seed or seed treated with

pesticides. 
 
 Remember that annuals grow their hearts out all season - they sprout just to flower and make seed for

posterity. So give them room to grow and plenty of water, and fertilize steadily through the season.  

 
 
 Many leaves, few flowers? Use phosphorus and potassium fertilizers and hold off on nitrogen. 
 
 Always water plants before and after fertilizing - and be sure to pull the mulch back slightly at the

base of the plants so it can get in.