How long does it take to grow a flower from seeds?
The seed packet should tell you how many days to bloom, which means how long it takes from germination to flowering. If you have a short growing season and the packet says it will be 80 or 90 days to bloom, you will need to start the seeds indoors if you want to see them flower for a couple weeks before frost. Flower seed packets rarely list estimated days to maturity, but most annual flowers need about 95 days from seed to flower. The ones that made my list start popping blooms in 60 to 70 days when grown under spring conditions, and they also tolerate light frost.Because of this, most annual flowers are easy to grow from seed, taking about 6 to 8 weeks to grow to a transplantable size, though there are always exceptions to the rule. Some seeds may just take longer to germinate, and slower-growing annuals will need to be started earlier.Different seeds take different lengths of time to germinate, so it is always worth checking how long it typically takes. Some are quick to germinate, taking 1-2 weeks at most, such as chillies, beans, sunflowers and pumpkins. Some seeds take more like 2-4 weeks, such as mango and parsley.
What soil is best for flower seeds?
Loam Soil. It contains high calcium levels – Calcium is good for stimulating healthy plant growth. It helps maintain the balance of soil chemicals and ensures that water reaches the flowers’ roots by improving the soil’s water-retaining ability. Soil falls into three main types – sand, clay and silt. Generally speaking, the best potting soil for growing flowers is an even mix of the three aforementioned soil types and is called sandy loam. This mix will ensure optimum growth conditions for most flowers. Yes, most flowers, but not all flowers.
What month is best to plant flower seeds?
In the very early Spring (end of January to March) you can sow hardy annual seeds. These are seeds that will produce plants that are tolerant of frost – they’ll put on strong deep roots all winter long and produce flowers from June until the first frosts (where I live in Surrey that happens in early November). For annual flowers, in general, spring is the best time to start sowing annual seeds. For hardy annuals, such as Bachelor Buttons and Snapdragons, start planting seeds as soon as the ground is workable. This early planting lets them establish strong roots and withstand any late spring frosts that might occur.The best time to plant trees, flowers, or any plant is during the dormant season. In North America, this is usually late fall through early spring. While it’s okay to plant during the rest of the year, it will require more maintenance from you in the form of watering, fertilizers, etc.October is the perfect time to plant trees, shrubs, conifers, and hardy perennials—or spring bulbs like tulips and daffodils—and if you’re looking to sow cover crops or install lawns, now is the time for that as well.
Do I need to soak flower seeds before planting?
As a general rule of thumb, your seeds will sprout even if you don’t soak your seeds before planting, but with soaking the germination time decreases, and the germination rate increases. Seeds that have a continual flow of moisture to uptake have much higher chances of success. Soaking seeds will remove any germination inhibitors to help trigger the seeds into growing at the right moment. The boosted moisture concentration around the seeds also signals that it’s ready to grow.Do Seeds Need to Be Soaked Before Planting? Not all seeds need to be soaked before planting, but some types will definitely benefit from this treatment. While all seeds have an outer shell that protects the plant embryo, it is a seed with a thick outer shell that will benefit from soaking.If the seeds are very small, they will clump together and be more difficult to sow unless you let them dry first, which defeats the purpose of soaking them in the first place. Think seeds like carrots or lettuce, or flowers that have super tiny seeds, like sweet alyssum or campanula .Some seeds like Allium ‘Purple Sensation’ and Eryngium giganteum need a long period of cold-moist stratification with alternating temperatures. These are the most difficult seeds to germinate. It’s best to sow these seeds outdoors in the fall and let nature work on them.Seeds such as Morning Glories, Lupine, Sweet Pea, and more have very hard seed coatings, which you can see just by looking at them. For the most successful (and quickest) germination of these seeds, you can scarify and soak the seeds before planting.
Can you put seeds straight into soil?
Another option is to tuck seeds directly into soil outdoors. Planting seeds this way is called direct sowing, and it is an easy process that yields great results. Seeds can be sown directly in drills (rows) or broadcast (scattered over the soil surface). Sowing in drills makes it easier to distinguish your seedlings from weed seedlings, and is suitable for seeds that need to be sown deeper than a few millimetres.Another option is to tuck seeds directly into soil outdoors. Planting seeds this way is called direct sowing, and it is an easy process that yields great results.We’ll throw a little wrench into that common knowledge: not all seeds need light to germinate, and some even find light as a hindrance. Seeds that require light to germinate should not be buried in the soil, but rather pressed gently into the ground and kept moist.Seed starting requires a substrate, typically a soilless mix of peat moss or coconut coir with added perlite for drainage. A soilless mix reduces the risk of soil-borne diseases and pests, ensuring a healthier start for seedlings. It’s also light and fluffy, allowing young roots to establish easily.