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Strawflower Sowing InstructionsRead more
Planting Depth:0”
Seed Spacing:6”-8”
Plant Spacing:9”-15”
Days to Germination:7-14 days
Germination Temperature:65°-75°F
Helichrysum bracteatum. Strawflower can be direct-sown into the garden after the last frost date, or may be started indoors 4 to 8 weeks before transplanting outside after the threat of frost has passed. Sow seeds on top of the soil, leaving seeds uncovered but pressed firmly onto the soil surface, as light aids germination. Provide even moisture and strong light during germination. Harden off the seedlings by gradually acclimating them to outside conditions for 1 to 2 weeks before transplanting out 9" to 15" apart. Strawflower is a great cut flower with a long vase life. It also makes a perfect dried flower when cut just before its pink, red, sulphur-yellow, golden-yellow, lemon-yellow, orange, rose, salmon and white blooms open. Summer flowering. -
Statice Sowing InstructionsRead more
Planting Depth:1/4”
Seed Spacing:1”
Plant Spacing:8”-12”
Days to Germination:10-20 days
Germination Temperature:65°-75°F
Limonium sinuatum. This popular cut flower prefers to be started indoors 8 to 10 weeks before the last frost date. Sow seed in a good seed-starting medium at 70°F with even moisture, strong light and good ventilation. When the seedlings are 3" tall, acclimate them by gradually exposing them to outside conditions for 1 to 2 weeks. The seedlings may be transplanted into the garden once the threat of frost has passed. Statice may also be sown directly into the garden. Thin or space plants 12" apart in the garden in well-draining, loamy soil and full sunlight. For use as a dried flower, harvest the sprays when the florets are just three-quarters open and hang them upside down in a well-ventilated spot out of the sun. Summer flowering. Height: 2' to 3'.
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Salvia Sowing InstructionsRead more
Planting Depth:1/8”
Seed Spacing:1”-2”
Plant Spacing:12”
Days to Germination:7-20 days
Germination Temperature:65°-75°F
Salvia farinacea. It is best to start Salvia indoors 10 to 12 weeks before the last frost date. Sow shallowly since light aids germination. Pamper with 65°-75°F temperatures, strong light, good air circulation and moist soil by covering flats or pots with plastic wrap. Remove plastic wrap after the sprouts emerge. Once seedlings are large enough to handle, transplant to larger, deeper pots for full root system development. After all danger of frost has passed, harden them off by gradually acclimating them to the outdoors over 7 to 10 days. Transplant out or direct-sow in rich, well-draining soil and full to partial sunlight. Water regularly and mulch to deter weeds and retain ground moisture but keep mulch away from Salvia’s stems. Victoria Blue Salvia has gr -
Queen Anne’s Lace Sowing InstructionsRead more
Planting Depth:1/8”-1/4”
Seed Spacing:1”-2”
Plant Spacing:12”
Days to Germination:7-14 days
Germination Temperature:65°-70°F
Daucus carota. This Carrot relative is the red form of the white roadside Queen Anne’s Lace we all love in midsummer. Its fine-textured foliage is topped with lacy, flat-topped blooms up to 5" wide that open white and transition to pink and eventually to a deep shade of plum-cabernet. The flowers are long-lasting in bouquets, while in the garden they blend gorgeously with their neighbors. Dara prefers full sun and moist, well-draining soil, though it is drought tolerant once established. Direct-sow after all danger of frost has passed, just barely covering the seeds with soil, or sow seeds indoors in individual pots 4-6 weeks earlier, hardening off the seedlings by slowly introducing them to the outdoors over the span of a week before carefull -
Nigella Sowing InstructionsRead more
Planting Depth:1/8”
Seed Spacing:6”-8”
Plant Spacing:12”-15”
Days to Germination:10-15 days
Germination Temperature:65°-75°F
Nigella damascena. aka Love-in-a-Mist, it is best direct-sown in the garden, although it may be started indoors 6 to 8 weeks before transplanting outside after the danger of hard frost has passed. Prepare a bed with rich, well-draining soil in a sunny spot. Sow seeds on top of the soil, leaving the seeds barely covered but pressed firmly onto the soil surface, as light aids germination. Use individual peat pots or seed-starting cells to avoid root disturbances. Provide even moisture and strong light during germination. Harden off the seedlings by gradually acclimating them to outside conditions for 1 to 2 weeks before transplanting or potting outside. Once the plants are 2" tall, thin them to 10" apart. If transplanting, be gentle! A prolific annual, ros -
Globe Thistle Sowing InstructionsRead more
Planting Depth:1/16”
Seed Spacing:2”-3”
Plant Spacing:12”-15”
Days to Germination:10-14 days
Germination Temperature:70°-75°F
Echinops ritro. Easily grown, the Globe Thistle should be direct-sown outside from early spring up to 2 months before the first fall frost date. Prepare a bed in full to partial sunlight with rich, extremely well-draining soil. Sow seeds on top of the soil, barely covering seeds but pressing firmly onto the soil surface, as light aids germination. Globe Thistle may also be started indoors 8 weeks before transplanting out after the threat of spring frost has passed. Provide even moisture, strong light and air circulation. Harden off the seedlings by gradually acclimating them outside for a week to 10 days before transplanting out. Transplants should be watered regularly to help establish a mature root system. Once established, it is drought to -
Corn Cockle Sowing InstructionsRead more
Planting Depth:1/2”
Seed Spacing:2”-3”
Plant Spacing:10”-12”
Days to Germination:7-14 days
Germination Temperature:60°-70°F
Agrostemma githago. Easily grown, it should be direct-sown after all danger of spring frost has passed. Corn Cockles may also be started indoors 4 weeks before transplanting out after the threat of spring frost has passed. Use individual peat pots or seed-starting cells to avoid root disturbance. Provide even moisture, strong light and air circulation. Prepare a bed in full sunlight with loamy, well-draining soil. Harden off the seedlings by gradually acclimating them outside for a week to 10 days before transplanting out. Thin or transplant to 12" apart. Keep the bed well-weeded and moderately watered until the plants are established. A British cottage garden favorite, it yields abundant 5-petaled, 11⁄2" fuchsia-pink flowers with black-whiskered white centers -
China Aster Sowing InstructionsRead more
Planting Depth:1/8”
Row Spacing:12”-18”
Plant Spacing:10”-12”
Days to Germination:10-14 days
Germination Temperature:65°-75°F
Callistephus chinensis. Asters should be started indoors 6 to 8 weeks before transplanting out after all danger of frost has passed. Sow seeds on top of soil mix, leaving the seeds uncovered but pressed firmly onto the soil surface, as light aids germination. Provide even moisture, strong light and lukewarm water. Use individual peat pots or seed starting cells to avoid root disturbance. Prepare a garden bed in full to partial sunlight with rich, well-draining soil. Harden off the seedlings by gradually acclimating them outside over 1 to 2 weeks before transplanting 10" to 12" apart. To encourage branching, pinch back the young plants. Keep area mulched to conserve moisture. Plant Asters in a different spot each year, and water only at ground l -
Carnation Sowing InstructionsRead more
Planting Depth:1/8”
Seed Spacing:1”
Plant Spacing:8”-12”
Days to Germination:10-20 days
Germination Temperature:70°-75°F
Dianthus caryophyllus. This popular bouquet flower prefers to be started indoors 8 to 10 weeks before the last spring frost date. Sow seed in a good seed-starting medium at 70°F with even moisture, strong light and good ventilation. Once established, thin plants to 2" to 3" apart and grow on. When the seedlings are 3" tall, acclimate them by gradually exposing them to outside conditions for 1 to 2 weeks. The seedlings may be transplanted into the garden once all threat of frost has passed. Thin or space the seedlings 12" apart in the garden in well-draining, loamy soil and full sunlight. Weed carefully and water moderately beneath the plants until established. Chabaud Carnations are terrific bouquet flowers lasting three weeks once cut. Summer flowering. -
Blazing Stars Sowing InstructionsRead more
Planting Depth:1/8”
Seed Spacing:2”-3”
Plant Spacing:12”-15”
Days to Germination:20-25 days
Germination Temperature:70°-75°F
Liatris spicata. Easily grown, the Prairie Gay Feather should be direct-sown outside from early spring up to 2 months before the first fall frost date. Prepare a bed in full to partial sunlight with rich, extremely well-draining soil. Sow seeds on top of the soil, leaving the seeds uncovered but pressed firmly onto the soil surface, as light aids germination. Liatris may also be started indoors 8 weeks before transplanting out after the threat of spring frost has passed. Provide even moisture, strong light and air circulation. Harden off the seedlings by gradually acclimating them outside for a week to 10 days before transplanting out. Transplants should be watered regularly to help establish a mature root system. Once established, it is drought -
Black-Eyed Susan Sowing InstructionsRead more
Planting Depth:1/4”
Seed Spacing:1”
Plant Spacing:12”-24”
Days to Germination:5-10 days
Germination Temperature:70°-75°F
Rudbeckia hirta. This perennial favorite prefers to be started indoors and transplanted out. Eight weeks prior to the last hard frost, sow seeds 1" apart in a good seed-starting medium at 70° to 75°F. Cover lightly and provide even moisture, strong light and good ventilation. Once established, transplant the strongest seedlings to deeper individual pots for superior root development. When the plants are 4" tall, acclimate the seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions for 1 to 2 weeks. After the threat of a hard frost has passed, transplant out into well-draining, loamy soil in full to filtered sunlight. Space plants 12" to 24" apart in the garden. If started early enough in the spring, this popular cut flower may bloom the first -
Bells of Ireland Sowing InstructionsRead more
Planting Depth:0”
Seed Spacing:3”-4”
Plant Spacing:10”-12”
Days to Germination:25-35 days
Germination Temperature:55°-65°F
Moluccella laevis, aka Shellflower. Direct-sow Bells of Ireland 2 weeks before the last frost date. Prior to sowing, soak the seeds overnight in lukewarm water to assist germination. Sow in a rich, well-draining garden bed in full to partial sunlight. Water regularly and feed as needed with manure tea, kelp or fish emulsion. Or start transplants indoors 6 to 8 weeks before setting out around the last frost date. Sow seeds on top of sterile starter mix, leaving the seeds uncovered but pressed firmly onto the soil surface, as light is needed for germination. Provide good air circulation, strong light and even moisture. Harden off the seedlings by gradually acclimating them to the outdoors over 7 to 10 days before transplanting them out 12" apart.