Choosing Plants
In our area, the warehouse stores have rack upon rack of plastic packaged plants ready to go. It's time to choose the begonias, gladioli and other plants that need a bit of extra time. If you are going to buy these packaged plants, we recommend looking at the packages where you can actually see the health of the root (rhizome or bulb). A plant with buds or other signs of life have a good chance of succeeding.
Be ready to get these plants into pots before they dry up or die in your garage. Depending on the heartiness of the species, we'll either start our plants directly in the containers and baskets that will go outside or for some, they'll go into communal pots until they are ready to plant outdoors.
I like to get these plants under a grow light as soon as you can see new growth above the soil. They'll still need hardening for direct sunshine but I've found that my container bulbs do better if they can find the sun when they are still and inch or so above the soil.
There is nothing morally wrong with buying packages of plants from big box warehouses. You'll find amazing varieties that your hometown nursery may not carry. You do have to be very careful to choose healthy plants. You also have to remember that they might not winter over, they might not thrive and they may have to be replaced.
Still, it's OK to try something fun -- and cheap. Go for it.
