Horticulture Tips

Globe Thistle Sowing Instructions
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 Instructions
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 Instructions
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 Instructions
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 Instructions
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 Instructions
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 Instructions
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.

Balloon Flower Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:0”
Seed Spacing:6”-8”
Plant Spacing:12”-18”
Days to Germination:10-15 days
Germination Temperature:65°-75°F

Platycodon grandiflorus. Platycodon can be direct-sown outdoors or started indoors 4 to 8 weeks before transplanting outside after the threat of frost has passed. Prepare planting site in garden in full to partial sunlight with rich, well-draining soil. Sow seeds on top of 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 outside. Thin or transplant the seedlings 12" to 18" apart. It will not flower until its second year, but once it does, stand back! Its heavily flower-laden stems may need staking. This blue cut flower should be harvested when 2 to 3 flowers open on an individual stem. Flam

Baby’s Breath Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/4”
Seed Spacing:1”-2”
Plant Spacing:18”-24”
Days to Germination:10-15 days
Germination Temperature:55°-70°F

Gypsophila paniculata. Easily grown, this popular cut flower may be sown outdoors from early spring up to 2 months before the first frost date in the fall. Or, start transplants indoors 8 weeks before setting out after the last frost date in the spring to insure first year flowers. Provide even moisture and strong light. When seedlings are 4" tall, harden them off by gradually acclimating them to the outdoors for 1 to 2 weeks. After the threat of frost has passed, carefully transplant out into well-draining, loamy soil in full to filtered sunlight spaced 18" to 24" apart. Our old-fashioned Baby’s Breath is prized in summer bouquets as a delicate, airy filler with petite white flowers on well-branching, upright foliage. Summer flowering. Height: 3'.
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Rosemary Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/8”-1/4”
Row Spacing:18”-24”
Plant Spacing:8”-24”
Days to Germination:14-28 days
Germination Temperature:70°-75°F

Rosemary is a bit tricky and slow, but can be grown with these instructions. Start indoors in late winter. Sow seed in a light, sterilized, well-draining soil mix. Provide warmth, strong light and even moisture. Cover the soil with plastic to retain moisture, but remove it when the seedlings emerge. Do not let the soil get too soggy or too dry. Germination could take up to 28 days. Once plants have several sets of true leaves, transplant to individual 6" pots for full rooting. Set out after all danger of frost is past in full sun and well-draining soil. Developing slowly the first year, Rosemary will not survive heavy frost but can be dug up, potted, cut back and grown in containers inside over the winter. Place in a cool, well-lit area and wat

Lemongrass Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/8”-1/4”
Row Spacing:18”-24”
Plant Spacing:8”-12”
Days to Germination:7-14 days
Germination Temperature:70°-75°F

Raise as transplants 8 to 10 weeks prior to planting outside in the garden which should be a few weeks after all danger of frost has passed. As light aids germination, sow seeds very shallowly in sterilized seed starting mix. Provide warmth and even moisture. Cover soil with plastic until seeds germinate. Remove the plastic once seedlings have sprouted. Plant out to a garden site that has full sun in well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter. Lemongrass is from the tropics, so provide plenty of water throughout the growing season. It will not survive frost, but can be dug up and grown in containers inside over the winter. Replant the next spring, but be sure to divide the plants to avoid overcrowding their root systems. Harvest the stems on

Echinacea Root Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/4”
Seed Spacing:1”-2”
Plant Spacing:18”-24”
Days to Germination:10-20 days
Germination Temperature:65°-75°F

Echinacea purpurea and angustifolia. Start Coneflowers indoors before the last frost date. Soak seeds in warm water for 24 hours, and then sow in a good seed-starting medium. Provide 65° to 75°F temperatures and uniformly moist soil until seedlings emerge. Introduce strong sunlight. Once seedlings are large enough to handle, transplant to larger, deeper pots for full root system development. After all danger of frost has passed and seedlings are 4" tall, harden them off by gradually acclimating them to the outdoors over 7 to 10 days. Transplant out 18" to 24" apart or direct-sow in rich, well-draining soil and full to partial sunlight. Water regularly and mulch to deter weeds and retain ground moisture. Grown for its roots rather than for its