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Love Johnny Jump Ups?
Want them to flourish in your garden?
You’re in the right place. Check out these 7 easy tactics to help them grow strong and beautiful.
Ready to get started?
Let’s go!
Pick the Right Spot
Johnny Jump Ups love the sun, so find a sunny spot in your garden. If you live somewhere really hot, they’ll also be happy in a spot with some afternoon shade.
Just make sure they’re not in full shade all day long. These little flowers like well-drained soil, so avoid soggy areas.
They’d rather be a little dry than soaked. A raised bed or a pot with good drainage works wonders too!
Prep the Soil
Your Johnny Jump Ups will thank you if you give them nice soil to grow in. Loosen up the dirt a bit and mix in some compost or organic matter.
This helps the soil drain well and gives the plants some nutrients to munch on. If your soil is heavy clay, lighten it up with some sand or peat moss.
Good soil means happy flowers!
Sow the Seeds
Time to plant those seeds! Sprinkle them on the surface of the soil and lightly press them down.
No need to bury them deep; they need light to germinate. Keep the soil moist but not soaking wet.
In about 10-14 days, you’ll see tiny green sprouts popping up. If you’re starting indoors, transplant them when they’re a few inches tall.
Water Properly
Johnny Jump Ups don’t like their feet too wet, so water them when the top inch of soil feels dry. Consistency is key; try not to let them dry out completely between waterings.
On hot days, they might need a little extra drink. Water at the base of the plant to keep their leaves dry.
This helps prevent yucky fungal diseases.
Feed Them Right
Your flowers don’t need a lot of food, but a little boost now and then is nice. Once a month, give them a dose of balanced, water-soluble fertilizer.
Just follow the instructions on the package. Too much fertilizer can make them leggy and less likely to bloom.
Less is more with these beauties!
Watch for Pests
While Johnny Jump Ups are pretty tough, they can sometimes get pests like aphids or slugs. Check your plants regularly and catch problems early.
A quick spray of water can knock off aphids. Beer traps or just picking off slugs by hand works for those slimy critters.
Happy, healthy plants are less likely to get bugs, so keep them well-tended.
Deadhead Regularly
To keep them flowering all season long, make sure to deadhead! Just pinch off the faded or dead flowers as you see them.
This encourages the plant to produce more blooms. Plus, it keeps your garden looking tidy.
If you want some self-seeding action, leave a few flowers to go to seed. You might get some pleasant surprises next year!