I'm looking for some advice on how to prep my planters for the spring and summer seasons. I want to focus on planting flowers this year, like tulips, dahlias, daisies, and peonies, but I'm located in Athens, Greece. Since I only have pots and planters (some quite large, like raised beds), I'm curious about what to do with them over the winter. What do you usually do during the colder months? Which flowers do you plant and when? What types of fertilizers do you use, and how often? I appreciate any tips you can share!
3 Answers
I might not know much about Greece's climate specifically, but typically, bulb plants like tulips should be planted in the fall. Other flowers can usually go in during the spring when the weather warms up. That way, you should be all set to enjoy a gorgeous garden!
Make sure to check your growing zone! Some flowers, like peonies, actually need a cold period to bloom properly. In Athens, peonies might struggle, but tree peonies could be a better fit. I can't grow them in my zone, so I'm not entirely sure, but it's worth researching.
Thanks for the tips! My zone is 9b, and I’ve learned that peonies do better at higher altitudes in Greece. So I’ll probably skip those and choose something else instead.
I usually clear out my planters and mix in some nearly-finished compost to enrich the soil. After that, I cover everything with mulch to help it break down until spring! It really helps keep the nutrients in the soil for when it's planting time.
Awesome! I’ll get started on my planting soon. Thanks for the info!