How to Care for Mini Yellow Daisies

Irrigation

• Daisies are moderate drinkers that thrive on the average 1 inch of water per week during the growing season. This amount of water is especially necessary the first month after planting. However, most daisies tolerate dry soil conditions after establishment, so watering is only necessary during droughtlike conditions. Water your mini yellow daisies in the morning near the plant bases to prevent fungal diseases from forming.

Fertilization

• Daisies will perform without fertilizing, especially if you incorporate 2 or 3 inches of compost into the soil at planting time. You should also side-dress perennial daisies each spring with 2 or 3 inches of compost. However, using fertilizer helps ensure that your mini daisies perform to their fullest potential. For annual daisies, spread 1 pound of quick-release, 10-10-10 granular fertilizer for every 100 feet of row in spring. Reapply every one or two months until fall. For perennial daisies, spread 2 pounds of quick-release, 10-10-10 granular fertilizer in early spring as your mini yellow daisies emerge from the soil. Reapply in mid-summer. Always water after you apply fertilizer.

Deadheading

• Deadheading your mini yellow daisies helps them produce more flowers. It also cleans up the garden and prevents the flowers from self seeding. Take your fingers and simply pinch off dying daisies just under their heads. As you deadhead, drop them into a pile and gather them up when you're done to discard or compost. Cleaning the garden of debris is a habit that helps deter many pests and diseases.

Division

• Perennial daises will likely need dividing every two or three years. Otherwise, the area can become overcrowded and the clump will produce fewer and fewer flowers as the years progress. To divide, thoroughly water the plants in spring or fall. Then, dig the clump from the ground, getting as much of the roots as possible. Shake off the soil and use your hands to divide your mini yellow daisies into three or four sections. Use a clean knife that has been sterilized with rubbing alcohol if necessary. Replant the divisions in a sunny, rich soil bed at the same depth as before, and water with 1 inch of water. Discard old, woody sections of the plants.