What can we plant in our gardens this spring that will insure plenty of material to fill our vases, bowls and other flower containers this summer? The answer is annuals. Annuals are probably used for cutting more than any other type of flower. They may be used alone or combined with perennial or shrub blossoms.

An annual is a plant which completes its life cycle in one year, or in one growing season. Plant it this spring, and it will bloom this summer - and no more. The term “annual” is also applied loosely to perennial plants which bloom the first year from seeds but do not normally survive low winter temperatures even though they are perennial in warmer zones.

Annual plants of a limited number of varieties may be purchased in the spring. For a much wider selection, seeds should be sown. Plant them at the proper time to insure good germination. Often this information is given in catalogs or on seed packets.

You will learn that sweet peas must be planted very early and in a place where they can climb on something. Seeds that volunteer freely such as annual phlox, larkspurs and China asters can safely be planted in latest fall or earliest spring. Zinnias, cosmos, and dahlias should not be sown until the ground warms up in the spring. For an early start, plant seeds such as petunias, dahlias and salvias in flower pots or boxes to grow in a sunny window until time to set them out in the garden.

If necessary, the growing plants may be a part of the general garden scheme. A better way is to have a secluded area set aside, such as a small shaded patio for a cutting garden. Here they may be grown in rows and the blossoms cut freely without thought of marring your garden designs. They may be cultivated easily with the hoe, and tended like a vegetable garden. The location should preferably be sunny.

A rich soil results in better plants which will produce better flowers. Compost, peat moss or similar material will help the soil structure and enable seeds to push through more easily than in a hard packed soil. After plants are up and growing, mulches such as dried grass clippings, hay or straw may be placed between the rows and around the plants to retain moisture, keep the soil from cracking or baking and discourage weed growth. After your annuls begin to bloom, keep the flowers picked. The more you pick, the more they bloom- and once you let them set seed, the flowers will cease to come.

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