Have you ever picked out stunning annuals from the garden center—lush, blooming, full of color—only to bring them home and, after a week or two, wonder why they suddenly look tired or have stopped blooming altogether? It’s a common frustration, and while transplant shock or a change in environment can play a role, the most likely culprit is often the simplest: a lack of fertilizer.

At Moana Nursery, our annuals are grown to flourish. Behind those vibrant flowers and lush green leaves is a rigorous care routine—especially when it comes to feeding. While growing at our Minden Farm or in our Garden Centers, our annuals are fertilized at least three times per week. Why? Because annuals grow fast and bloom hard. That kind of performance takes fuel, and fertilizer is their go-to energy source.

Once you bring those beauties home, it’s important to keep that momentum. Without continued feeding, your plants may lose steam quickly. That’s why we strongly recommend using Fertilome Blooming & Rooting or Fertilome All Purpose Fertilizer—two high-quality options that support healthy root development and encourage long-lasting color and growth.

Think of it this way: if your plants were athletes, fertilizer would be their training diet. They’re used to a high-nutrient lifestyle, and they’ll continue to thrive when you keep them on that track. A consistent fertilizing routine can make the difference between a one-hit wonder and a season-long showstopper.

So if your annuals start to look like they’ve lost their spark, don’t panic—feed them! A little fertilizer goes a long way in helping them bounce back and bloom brilliantly all summer long. Check out our little experiment below to see the difference. We took two of the same hanging baskets, put them on the same drip system where they got daily water and full sun, regularly deadheaded both, but fed one with Blooming & Rooting three times a week and didn’t give any fertilizer to the other for 2 months. The fertilized basket has way more blooms and visibly healthier foliage!

But annuals aren’t the only ones that benefit from a proper fertilizing routine. Perennials, shrubs, grasses, trees, and even indoor plants—especially those newly planted—also need the right nutrients to develop strong root systems, withstand heat, and thrive in the high desert. Even established plants can struggle during our intense summers without a little help. A solid fertilization plan can be the difference between survival and success.

And don’t forget about one of our most powerful (and free!) resources: Moana Nursery’s Compost Tea. This liquid gold is packed with beneficial microbes and nutrients that can help your plants combat heat stress, improve nutrient uptake, and stay resilient through the toughest parts of summer. Grab a bottle & fill it up for free at any of our locations.

Fertilizing isn’t just about more blooms or faster growth. It’s about setting your plants up to handle our unique high desert climate. Whether it’s a flower, veggie, shrub, or shade tree, every plant performs better with the right kind of nourishment.

When you shop Moana Grown, you’re not just taking home healthy plants—you’re taking home plants with high expectations. Keep them thriving with the care they’re used to, and they’ll reward you with color, beauty, and strength all season long.