Knowing the life cycle of your plants is vital to creating a healthy garden.

And then there are biennials, which grow on a whole different timetable.

What is the difference between these plant lifecycles, and how can that knowledge help you curate your garden?

Heres how the life cycle of a plant can help you make your planting plans.

We are used to hearing the word annual being applied to something that happens every year.

But in this case, it means these plants only grow once.

After an annual plant dies in your garden, it must be replanted again the next year.

The home and garden siteGarden Designoffers the pros and cons of planting annuals.

Water plants right away after planting and install mulch to regulate moisture and prevent weeds from growing.

Perennials include flowers like hostas or daisies and vegetables like asparagus and rhubarb.

Investing in perennial plants helps improve the overall health of your garden.

Planting them could extend the life of the annuals around them.

For perennials to thrive, how must properly prep before planting.

This means tilling the soil and adding compost to each planting hole.

Planting siteGarden Gatesuggests planting on a dry, but cloudy day to avoid replanting shock.

After the soil is ready, dig a wide and shallow hole to give the plant room to grow.

Water around the leaves of the plant right after planting to prevent sinking.

Adequately moist soil will hydrate the plant for at least a week.

Spreading mulch around your plants will help keep the soil moist and keep out bugs.

Biennials can become annuals, depending on your local climate.

Or perhaps the plant will bloom flowers one year but not yield edible vegetables or fruits until the next.

Biennial plants include beets, carrots, and celery.

Like annuals, biennials need regular watering and pruningyou are in it for the long haul with these things.

Continue to water, feed, and weed your garden as often as possible, and be patient.