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Every year, I look forward to having loads of flowers in my garden for cutting. However, gardening can be an expensive hobby, so one of the best ways to get lots of flowers for very little money is by growing them from seed. Don’t be intimidated by this – it’s actually quite easy! Even if you don’t have a large plot of land, don’t worry! Many flowers grow quite happily in pots, as well. Here’s how to get started:
Find Your Growing Zone
Before you can decide what to plant in your garden, it’s imperative you know your growing zone. If you are in the US, put your zip code in the USDA’s Plant Hardiness Map to learn your zone. Your growing zone will dictate what time of year you can sow seeds. In some climates, certain seeds may need to be sown in the fall, while in other climates they can be sown in spring. For instance, if you live in the south, there’s no point in sowing poppy seeds in the summer – they won’t get the cold stratification they need to germinate this year. Similarly, you wouldn’t start Zinnia seeds directly outdoors in March in Wisconsin.
Purchase Seeds
There are so many great resources for purchasing seeds out there. Do a little research to see what time of year the flowers you are wanting to plant need to be sown. Most online vendors will allow you to sort available seeds by your growing zone. One of the best ways to decide what to purchase is to look at what your neighbors are growing. That will give you a good idea of what does well in your area. Some of my favorite sources for seeds are Floret and Eden Brothers.
It’s also important to think about the location you’ll be planting. Is it sunny or shady? Make sure the seeds you choose are appropriate for your growing situation. As a general rule, most cutting flowers require at least six hours of direct sunlight a day to bloom well. Of course this varies based on your location. Six hours of sun in Texas is very different than six hours of sun in Minnesota! You may need to provide some shade for more cool weather plants in the heat of summer.
Direct Sow Or Start Seeds Indoors
I tend to gravitate towards flowers I can direct sow in my garden each year, rather than starting them indoors. I find seed trays to be a bit high maintenance for me, but there are some flowers I do start early. Honeywort(Cerinthe) is one of them. I’ll also start tender herbs like Basil and Oregano indoors as well.
Once the weather is warm enough for you to sow your seeds, it’s a very simple process. It is important to water your flower bed before you sow your seeds, as overhead watering afterwards can cause them to wash away. Some seeds, like Zinnias and Poppies literally just get thrown on top of the ground. They germinate so easily that you don’t need to coddle them. Others may require trenches or a light covering of soil. Your seed packet will give you all the planting information you need.
My Favorite Varieties To Grow From Seed
I garden in Zone 7 of Texas, so I focus on heat and drought-tolerant plants.Here are some of my favorite flowers to grow from seed:
Zinnias
Bachelor Buttons
Poppies
Larkspur
Morning Glories
Flowering Herbs – Basil, Dill, Oregano, Chives
Wildflowers
Grow What You Love
Planting any kind of garden is rewarding, but I find growing flowers from seed even more so. It’s amazing to me how something so small can become such a big, beautiful plant. I love nothing more than to take my coffee to the garden each morning to check the progress of all those tiny seedlings. Look at what grows well in your area, and choose a few varieties you love to plant. Start this spring, and you’ll have lovely flowers to cut and bring indoors all summer long. Happy growing!
