Annuals are flowers or plants that bloom and grow continuously throughout the summer months and do not come back after the winter. Some annuals include petunias, marigolds and geraniums. Perennials are flowers and plants that are hardy enough to last through the spells of winter and will have new growth in the following years. Some perennials include peonies, roses and hydrangeas. Some flowers and plants may live longer in               

                                                                           other  zones, but Illinois has zone 4-5           

                                                                           and  only certain types grow in this zone.

                                                                           Taking care of a flower or plant is 

                                                                           important and its health and beauty means  

                                                                           a lot to you. Therefore, Windy Acres wants 

                                                                           to help in any way to make sure that you 

                                                                           have all of the important information    

                                                                           necessary to care for your garden

                                                                           beauties. First, if there are any tags that come with your purchase, it is good to follow the directions on them. The tags are most likely simple to follow and state whether your flower or plant will grow best in the sun or in the shade. When planting, it is best to loosen up and untangle the roots after you remove it from the container so it can more easily acclimate to its new home either in the ground or in the pot of your choice. It is best to keep perennials in the ground so that they can come back the next year. The depth of the hole that you need to dig really depends on the variety of the plant that you have so follow the instructions on the tag. Perennials are great because after the first year of their establishment they don’t require maintenance aside from the occasional cosmetic haircut you decide to give them. For their first year they need to be watered more often than not depending on the weather.

    Having watering woes? Just take note if your flower or plant is looking limp and wilted because it could probably use a good drink. Be careful though, over watering will mold or drown the roots. So be wise because, as we all know, Illinois has very unpredictable weather! The sun can be scorching hot in our Illinois summers and the heat combined with wind that blows around your plants can suck any moisture your plant has in it out. Noting the weather can play a big role in the watering of your flowers and plants. Another way to know if you need to water is by testing the soil to see if it is damp or not. If it is damp then you are most likely okay to skip a day of watering.

    So you dislike dead-heading your flowers? Windy Acres carries many flowers that do not require too much work. Our annuals continually bloom until the first frost comes in during the fall, but sometimes the old flowers have to come off of the plant. Most of the time you can easily pinch off the brown, dry pieces with your fingers. Or for example, if there is a yellow leaf amongst all of the green leaves you can snip that off too. It may not do much damage to leave something like that on the plant, but the plant or flower will actually be working overtime, believe it or not, to heal the sick leaf. Meantime, the rest of the flower or plant will be suffering from having to share those vital nutrients. It is a low maintenance way to make your plant or flower better off in the long run. Windy Acres flowers and plants are here for your enjoyment not to ruin our day, but since they are alive, they do require a little love and care.    

    Not only do Windy Acres’ flowers and plants provide beauty, but they are great for the environment and for your health. They breathe in what we breathe out and clean up pollutants in the air. They actually act as natural air purifiers. The more you have around, the happier and healthier you can be. And if you ever were wondering about the old saying of singing to your plants and flowers makes them happy, well it turns out to be true after all!