It’s a dirty job, that’s why I love to do itIf you are planting directly in the ground, then you will want to prepare the location you have selected by digging up the dirt around the area and clearing it of weeds or any obstructions. Use the following soil combination to mix into the top of the ground soil, or to fill the planter of your choice. Make sure to have enough growing room in the planter for the plant (I use a 3 gallon nursery pot for 4 to 6 plants).
Plant enough peat cups into the center of the area you wish to grow and provide a stable beginning for your morning glories. I usually grow 4 seeds per 2” peat cup so I can make up for the ones that don’t make it. Note: sow your seeds after you stabilize the peat cups and the soil. To plant the peat cups, dig a hole deep enough for the peat cup to fit just right into the soil so the edges aren’t buried, but also are not sticking up too far out of the soil. That height will depend on the height of the peat cup, usually around 2 inches. Very gently press the soil around the peat, but not too firmly.
I use any type of basic top soil in the bottom of my planters for filler, then add Miracle Gro Potting Mix up to about 2 to 3 inches from the top of the planter. At the top of the flower bed or planter, I mix in a little Miracle Gro Organic Soil. Use a mix of the organic soil and potting mix in the peat cup up to the top, very gently pressed. Normally, I gently moisten the soil before planting the seeds, and let it set over night. This gives me the opportunity to soak the seeds over the next night.
Manage pests that dig such as squirrels and raccoons by simply taking several 12” wooden skewers, break them in half and insert them at 45 degree angles in the dirt around the area where you plant the seeds in the peat cup. This will deter them from digging in the sensitive areas without using harsh chemicals or dangerous home-remedies. Setting these skewers up now is an ounce of prevention that is worth its weight in gold. However you may discover those smart creatures target beds or planters that you didn’t expect, so you may have to add more skewers later. Be careful not to damage the root. Insert the skewer with the dull tip going in the ground away from the plant’s roots.
Jacksonville Morning Glory Vineyard 