Don’t forget to love your flowers

Lisa Egner

The Daylily Lady

Valentines’ Day has come and gone and most people remembered the candy. But did you remember the flowers? If you did forget the flowers, now is the time to make amends!

Now is the time to have a test done on your soil. The sample pouches can be found at your local agricultural extension agent office.

Many people do not realize that Valentines’ Day is also an important day for flowers. Hopefully by now you have started to prepare your flower beds by adding compost or potting mix and dirt. Make sure this soil drains water well.

Flowers are now "waking up" from their short winter’s sleep. And because of this, they need a little boost. Usually flower lovers fertilize their little gifts from God with a single addition of fertilizer on or near Valentines’ Day.

Flowers such as daylilies, irises, flower bulbs, etc. require a 15-15-10, 6-12-12 or 10-10-10 in the soil around the daylily each spring. You can also use an all purpose fertilizer. Fertilize according to the instructions. Your flowers will love it and they will reward you with beautiful blooms, especially daylilies.

Daylilies come in a wide variety of sizes, shapes and colors. They are very hardy perennial plants that can tolerate long periods of dry weather as well as long periods of inundation. They can live in direct sunlight or in partial shade and can tolerate a wide range of soil pHs.

Enjoy your flowers for years to come!