Richard Evans, Contributor.

I used to jog regularly when I was in college. I tried to run three miles every couple days. Of course, that was several years ago. I thought I would try again recently. I had not gone far when I was reminded of what it was like back then.

My leg muscles tightened up, my breath got short, and I began to perspire. The only difference was it only took me half a mile now to feel like I did after running three miles back then.

People mature (a polite word for ‘get older’) and so do plants. What is the comparison? You must treat mature people and plants differently than younger individuals. As the year progresses, change the way you care for your plants to get the best performance from them.

• Older plants need more fertilizer.

An adult cannot live on kiddie meals. Re-fertilize annuals and perennials now. Apply 1 lb of 10 10-10 or 12-4-8 or ½ lb of 16-4-8 per 1000 square feet. You can also use your favorite fertilizer.

Do this every 4 to 6 weeks.

• Many gardeners use liquid fertilizers.

These are quick acting, but their effect is very short lived.

Also, we seldom put on enough.

Granular fertilizers are more likely to burn, but are cheaper and are easier to apply enough to do some lasting good.

• Many perennials have finished their first bloom. Prune old flowers, water, and fertilize to try to produce another bloom.

With canna, you may experiment with a more drastic treatment. They may look old and ragged now. Bring back their youth by drastic pruning, watering, and fertilization. Many canna lilies have ragged leaves because of leaf rollers.

These worms get in the whorl(the young, rolled-up leaves) and feed on them.

This makes them stick together and not unroll. Spray Sevin down into the whorl to control them.

• It takes a lot for us to get used to the heat. It is the same with flowers also. Annuals and perennials may wilt slightly as they get used to hot, dry weather. Water them seldomly, but deeply when you do. Frequent shallow watering can spoil the plants. Deep watering causes plants to put down deep roots. To put down deep roots to search out water. Then, in hard times, they survive better.

Plants are like children. We should tend them in such a way as to promote good, strong, deep roots.

• Water annuals and perennials with 1 to 1 ½ inches of water a week.

Put out no less than 3/4 inch each time. For example, you could put out 3/4 inch of water twice a week or 1 inch of water ever 5 days.

How long does it take my sprinkler to put this much out? Put a pie pan under your sprinkler and turn it on and time it. Then water this long each time.

• Don’t forget the mulch. Mulches keep soils cooler, roots moister and prevent weeds. This is an easy, inexpensive way to keep plants comfortable, reduce crowding from weeds and encourage good growth. Apply a two inch layer of pine straw, pine bark, or other mulch. Some mulches are free through local sources. Call the Bryan County Extension Service for details.

• Annuals should be middle aged now. Do not let them have a midlife crisis. Prevent problems by proper attention and care. Even perennials will do better with some special attention now. Care now will allow your plants to look good and perform well through the rest of their lives.

Call the Bryan County Extension Service for more info on putting some youthful vigor into old plants.

You can reach us at 653-2231 or by email at uge3029@uga.edu.

Richard Evans is the Bryan County UGA Extension Coordinator.