Long season garden plants are either those that take a long time to flower, produce their crop or fruit for an extended period of time.
Many plants will bloom longer if the faded blooms are cut off.
This process is known as deadheading.
Most plants need an inch of water a week to thrive and while this may not seem like a lot, adequate water goes a long way when it comes to a plant producing at its peak.
Annuals
Coleus, impatiens, petunias, marigolds, sunflowers, zinnias and sweet alyssum add color to the garden all season long.
Impatiens are easy-care annuals that grow best in well-drained soil in shade.
They do not need deadheaded, but may need cut back from time to time to encourage bushiness.
The colorful foliage of coleus lights up the shade garden.
Petunias, marigolds, sunflowers, zinnias and sweet alyssum grow best in full sun.
Marigolds and some varieties of zinnia benefit from deadheading.
Annual plants are those that flower, set seed and die in one season.
Herbs
A variety of herbs will produce all season long if they are kept trimmed so flowers are not produces.
Sage, oregano, mint, fennel, dill, basil, lemon balm and parsley are just a few of these herbs.
Harvest them fresh as you need them, or cut them back by 1/3 throughout the season and dry the foliage for winter use.
Herbs attract a variety of butterflies and beneficial insects into the garden, which is why they should be intermixed with flowers and vegetables.
On warm summer days, they release their scent into the air making pathways fragrant.
Many of the flowers are edible or work well in bouquets, but allowing them to flower decreases the intensity of their leaves.
Perennials
Season long blooms are easy when you plant bee balm (Monarda), coneflower (Ehcinacea), phlox, yarrow, pincushion (Scabiosa), salvia and balloon flower.
Encourage new blooms to form by deadheading on a regular basis.
These flowers attract butterflies, hummingbirds and bees into the garden.
At the end of the season, allow coneflowers to set seed that goldfinches can enjoy throughout the winter months.
These plants will naturalize in your garden if they are happy.
Once established they are also quite care-free.
Vegetables
Peanuts, corn, sweet potatoes, pumpkins and onions are vegetables that require a long season to produce.
Starting seed indoors or outdoors inside of a cold frame is recommended for gardeners in cold climates.
A cold frame is a box-like structure with a clear glass or plastic lid.
Vegetables that produce over a long season include tomatoes, cucumbers and beans.
Succession planting, which is planting the same crop a week or so apart, will extend the harvest and offer a long season of garden produce.
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