Crop Rotation Group
Miscellaneous
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Soil
Any fertile soil that holds moisture well.
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Position
Partial shade to full sun.
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Frost tolerant
Moderate. Plants in sheltered locations often survive light frosts, but begonias are easily killed by hard freezes.
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Feeding
Mix a standard application of a balanced organic fertilizer into the soil prior to planting along with a generous helping of well-rotted compost. When growing begonias in containers, use a rich potting soil that holds moisture well.
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Companions
Begonias are go-anywhere annuals often used to bring color to isolated spots. They are among the easiest summer annuals to grow in containers.
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Spacing
Single Plants: 11" (30cm) each way (minimum)
Rows: 9" (25cm) with 1' 1" (35cm) row gap (minimum)
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Sow and Plant
Tiny begonia seeds can be sown indoors in late winter, but it takes three months to grow a seedling to transplanting size. Most gardeners buy begonias as inexpensive bedding plants, set out in spring as soon as any danger of frost has passed. Large varieties like ‘Dragon Wing’ need wider spacing, or you can grow them in 14-inch (35cm) diameter containers.
Our Garden Planning Tool can produce a personalized calendar of when to sow, plant and harvest for your area.
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Notes
Because they are so adaptable, bedding begonias make excellent flowers to repeat in pockets throughout the landscape, which provides a sense of unity. Flower colors include pink, white, and red. Foliage colors can range from light green to dark red.
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Harvesting
Begonias rarely need trimming except to remove injured branches and old flower clusters.
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Troubleshooting
Begonias have a low tolerance for drought and almost always require supplemental water.
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