In October, we plant the annuals that grow best when the weather is becoming cooler and days are growing short. We sow sweet peas and native wildflowers like California poppies and Shirley poppies and set out seedlings of bachelor buttons, violas, pansies, snapdragons and calendulas.

     By May, some of these may still be blooming, while others may be getting a little wild looking and should be pulled out. It is time to plant summer annuals, the heat-tolerant and sun-loving plants that produce spectacular summer color. 

    When the soil is warm, sometime in late April or May, sow seeds of alyssum, dianthus, cosmos, marigolds, zinnias, nasturtiums and sunflowers directly in the soil to promote healthy root growth. Children will love seeing how fast some of these seeds germinate.     Nasturtiums also reseed readily and the peppery edible blossoms are beautiful in salads.

     Bait for snails, slugs and earwigs with a pet-safe material. If you mound bait, pets may think it is dinner. Cast bait lightly around endangered plants.

     Alyssum, nasturtiums and sunflowers are particularly easy to grow, and they readily reseed. Next summer, with no effort on your part, your garden will be filled with carpets of sweet alyssum and bright orange and yellow nasturtiums climbing over other plants or hanging from containers.

     Cosmos are favorite summer annuals because they attract bush tits and butterflies and reseed easily. After the flowers fade, pick off dried seed heads and cast the seeds over the sunniest garden spaces. They are reliable bloomers with white, pink and red blossoms. They don’t need rich soil but do need good drainage.

     Annuals have shallow roots, so mix in lots of compost or other soil amendments and fertilize with 5-10-5 for more blooms. Unlike perennials, which grow and bloom for several years, annuals are one-season plants. They grow to maturity, bloom and die in a few months. However, most of them reseed readily, so you’ll find their seedlings coming up the following season. 

     Petunias look great planted in masses of solid colors, but beware of the bud worm. A tiny moth lays its eggs in the buds, and the worm emerges to eat its way through the whole flower. When this happens, cut all the buds off and throw them in the waste recycling bin. If you are lucky, you may have more blooms.

     Sunflowers and cosmos make fine cut flowers. Reaching four feet or more in height, they make good background plants in the vegetable garden.

     Look for the following varieties to brighten your summer annual garden:

    Cosmos: ‘Sensation’ or ‘Sonata’ mix

    Marigolds: ‘Bonanza Orange;’ ‘Bonanza Yellow;’ ‘Safari Orange’

    Petunias: ‘Sugar Madness;’ ‘Ultra White’

    Salvias: ‘Red Hot Sally;’ ‘Red Vista’

    Sunflowers: ‘Girasol;’ ‘Sunbright’

    Zinnias: ‘Crystal White;’ ‘Cut and Come’ mix; ‘State Fair’ mix

    Vincas: ‘Pacifica White;’ ‘Pacifica Mix’

    Impatiens: ‘Pastel Mix;’ ‘Accent Mix’