- 1). Work a substantial amount of organic matter (baled peat moss, composted leaves, steer manure) into soil that will drain well and is located in an area that will receive at least six hours of sunlight. Spread a 4-inch layer of organic matter over the surface of the soil and mix it into the top 12 inches of soil with a shovel or garden tiller.
- 2). Spread two pounds of balanced, all purpose fertilizer (16-16-16, 12-12-12, 10-10-10, 8-8-8) per one hundred square feet of soil. Work the fertilizer into the soil with a shovel or a garden tiller. Level the soil surface with a metal garden rake.
- 3). Plant petunia starts in the soil when the soil temperature is at least 60 degrees F. Dig holes in the soil with a small gardening shovel that are large enough to accommodate the petunia start root ball.
- 4). Tear the bottom inch of the root ball in half. Place the petunia start into the hole and fill the hole around the root ball. Firm the soil around the root ball. Repeat for each petunia start that is planted.
- 5). Water the petunias immediately after planting them in the soil. Apply a liquid fertilizer on the petunias every two weeks to keep the petunias blooming regularly.
- 6). Remove the dead blossoms with a pair of scissors as soon as they start to fade. This process is called "deadheading" and should be done throughout the season to keep the petunias blooming often.
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