Does anyone grow annuals/perennials from seed?

if so, do you have any tips. It's a no brainer I know - seed, water, water, water....but if there are any please let me know. This is my first year trying seed rather than getting plants from the garden centre. Thanks!

Does anyone grow annuals/perennials from seed?
I grow zinnia's, marigolds, wildflowers, sunflowers (chipmunks were chubby that year), and hollyhocks from seed. I just throw them in the beds I want them to grow in and have never had a problem.


Last year I sent my grandson out to plant zinnia's in my front wildflower bed and he put them in my tomatoes (vegetable garden - back yard). It was awesome to see all those colorful flowers interspersed with our tomatoes. They grew really tall as well because we had to water the tomatoes every night %26lt;very dry summer%26gt;. It actually saved us a lot of weeding because we weren't sure which were zinnia's or weeds at first... Planting seeds is always an adventure... I tried lavender from seed and ended up with no lavender but plenty of wild geraniums...Had to keep the hubby from pulling them up though.
Reply:most are grown from seed whether it be the homeowner or the commercial growers that supply the potted plant.





If you want to plant seeds, it is highly recommended to start then inside whether it be a sunny window or make shift green house. Sow seeds in a shallow container or flat a couple of weeks before the end of your cold weather. When ready to plant, separate each seedling and plant in soil conditioned with ample organic material. soil level should remain the same height against the plant as it was in the containers. Water with a gentle spray 1 to 4 times a day to keep soil moist until the plants have taken root and begin to produce additional tops. After that, water them in the early mornings. this will allow the plant leaves to dry quickly preventing molds and mildews. Plant should never be watered near or after sunset. The leaves will not dry and many of these plants will rot. Fertilize monthly.





Any questions, contact me through my profile.
Reply:Read and follow package directions
Reply:o yeah! the ones that r easiest from me (and i kill every plant i touch) are zinnias. i really don't have a green thumb. at this time i would plant the in a 9 once cup (plastic or foam) indoors and follow the packet directions. use potting soil or seed starter. if the weather isn't sunny and zinnias need full sun, put them under a lamp. leave them under for at least 4-5 hours a day. i use a regular desk lamp and keep the plant no more than an inch away from the light.


Zinnias reseed themselves each year too.





have better luck than i do!
Reply:This is also my first year. I bought a seed starter kit, like the one on this site:


http://www.plantationproducts.com/prefil...


It was $5.oo and has 72 cells, and the soil is provided in a dry pellet which expands with water. It also has a lid so it keeps in moisture and heat, basically a greenhouse. So far my seedlings are doing well, and I don't even water it every day because it keeps in moisture.


I went for seeds because they are so much cheaper, and starting them indoors helps them to be a good size by the last frost date. I recommend trying it, there's not much to be lost in trying, even if they all die.
Reply:I grow almost all of my annuals and some perennials under lights. If you use lights you dint need the expensive grow lights. Use on cool white tube and one warm white tube(kitchen-bathroom bulb) I start most in aluminum bread pans with holes in the bottom and I mix small seeds with a little sand and put these in a bottle you can shake them out of (I use a Cinnamon bottle) and shake the seeds all over the starting soil like you would salt on eggs. Cover or dint cover seeds as planting instructions tell you for each type seed. Bottom water by placing bread pan in a seed flat (will hold 4 small size pans). Keep seeds damp but not wet and the same when they start. More are killed by over watering than under watering. when 3 or 4 true leaves replant into some other type growing flat. I just transplanted 52 aster plants today. any good garden store will have what you need for planters. whats you are looking at is fun, relaxing, and a good stress reliever.

horns