Consumer Report: Buying End of Season Bargain Plants

By WKBW Internet

Consumer Report: Buying End of Season Bargain Plants

July 8, 2010 Updated Jul 8, 2010 at 2:25 PM EST

Buffalo, NY (Dannylipford.com) -- In the fall, and sometimes in late spring, you can find great end of season discounts on perennials, shrubs, and trees.

Some of these plants are just past bloom season or nurseries are making room for new seasonal inventory, and consumers can save if they know how to shop for healthy plants.

Avoid Annuals
They likely won't recover before their growing season ends.

Inspect the Roots
Gently pull the plant out of the pot and look at the roots. Look for a healthy ball of light colored roots that nearly fill the container. Avoid plants with moldy, rotten, black, or stunted roots.

Growing Bargain Plants
Don't expect your plant to bloom the year you bought it -- in fact, you shouldn't expect any visible signs for a while. In most cases, perennials need at least a year to catch up, and trees and shrubs may take 3-5 years to equal their healthy counterparts.

Prune the plants by a third to a half to reduce stress on the roots, and be sure to give them plenty of water, and a good source of phosphorus in the planting hole will help promote growth.

For more information on buying and growing bargain plants, Click Here.

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