How to Keep Your Planters Looking Like the Day You Bought Them

 Why do your flowers seem less vibrant than when you first brought them home from Garry's?

 Here’s the truth: they were spoiled at Garry’s Garden Gallery – and now they’re missing that care!

 The good news is that you can easily keep or even revive your planters and hanging baskets by avoiding these four common mistakes and mimicking what we, the Garden Center experts, do!

##  Watering
- **Mistake:** Inconsistent or reactive watering (only when plants look dry).
- **What we do:** We water regularly and consistently – nearly every day, sometimes twice during hot spells.
- **Fix it:** Use the finger test – insert your finger 1 inch into the soil. If it feels dry, water thoroughly. If it’s damp, hold off. Morning watering is also advantageous, as it helps plants absorb moisture effectively and reduces the risk of disease.

##  Fertilizing
- **Mistake:** Neglecting to fertilize or depending solely on the nutrients from the original soil.
- **What we do:** We fertilize weekly (or more often) using a balanced liquid fertilizer.
- **Fix it:** Your plant was regularly nourished like an athlete. When it shifts abruptly from consistent nutrients to none, it goes into shock—growth slows, flowers fade, and the plant loses vitality. Keep up with that fertilization!

##  Sunlight
- **Mistake:** Placing plants in inappropriate lighting – either too much shade or excessive sun.
- **What we do:** We position plants according to their specific light requirements.
- **Fix it:** Ensure your plant is in the right spot:
- **Full sun:** 6+ hours/day
- **Part sun:** 3-6 hours/day
- **Shade:** Less than 3 hours/day

##  Deadheading & Pruning 
- **Mistake:** Allowing spent blooms and leggy stems to build up.
- **What we do:** We deadhead as needed to keep plants full, blooming, and focused on healthy growth instead of sustaining old growth.
- **Fix it:** Spend just a few minutes once or twice a week snipping off dead flowers and trimming straggly stems to maintain your plant's vibrancy and encourage new blooms.

##   Bottom Line:
Plants don’t decline due to a lack of gardening skill – they simply miss the daily love they received at the garden center!
**Water. Feed. Light. Snip. Repeat.**
That’s the secret of the Garden Center for keeping your planters and hanging baskets lush and blooming all season long!