Before transplanting annuals to the garden, or direct-sowing seeds there, it’s a good idea to prepare the soil. In general, annuals prefer well-drained soil. Digging in a good quantity soil amendment will help to build up the soil’s organic matter and allow the plants’ roots to spread quickly and get off to a good start.
Set out young plants at the recommended spacing, to prevent them from crowding each other once they have grown and matured. If you’ve purchased plants in flats, gently break apart the root mass before placing them in holes; this encourages roots to spread quickly into the surrounding soil. Fertilize at planting time with an organic or slow-release fertilizer.
You need to pay attention to whether a particular plant prefers sun or shade since shade-loving plants can burn in sunny locations and sun loving plants won’t bloom very well in shady locations.
It’s best to transplant annuals to the garden as soon as possible after bringing them home. If you need to hold plants in flats for more than a couple of days at home, be sure to water them and keep them in a partly shady, protected spot outdoors like a porch or under a tree. Always make sure the root balls are moist before planting.