Too late to start annuals from seed?

teaal4

13 years ago

Is it too late to start annuals by seed for this years enjoyment?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
13 years ago
presuming you have packaged seed..

read the package..

if it says 90 days to bloom ... that means your first bloom would be around 9/10 ...

then ask.. when is your first frost ... if you are in the north ... if its 10/1 ... whats the use ....

then you have all the issues of intense summer heat on small seedlings... if you are doing this in the ground ....

and then the intensity of summer sun versus spring sun ... and whether they will burn to a crisp ....

can it be done.. probably.. give it a try.. i learned more experimenting.. than i ever got from a book or the web .... and i tend to remember experiments longer than something i read ...

but i wouldnt get too wound up in it all ... depending.. again.. where you are in IL

now.. if your seeds will bloom in 30 to 45 days.. its another game altogether ...

the final thought is whether the seeds will be properly stored over winter.. and viable for proper planting time next spring .... or whether you will remember to do it then .. lol ...

aw.. what the heck.. wing it.. just do it.. report back ....

ken
teaal4
Original Author
13 years ago
Thanks!!
Related Discussions
Is it too late to start tomatos from seeds?
Q
Comments (6)
Post this question on the very active Arizona forum. They will have the answer for you. I do know that some people plant tomato plants in Arizona in February, since I go there at that time, so I bet you'd be OK starting them now.
...See More
too late to start Liatris ligulistylis from seed?
Q
Comments (7)
as many seeds as liatris ligulistylis puts out it's amazing how few actually germinate. Dr. Liz, I got some plants from Prairie nursery a few years back and it was NOT the right liatris...happened to someone else I know too. The liatris bloomed a month too early and it was 2-3 feet shorter than our "real" liatris ligulistylis. When I contacted them about it, they insisted it was the right liatris. The next year it bloomed early and was too short again....definitely not the right plant. I got real liatris from prairie MOON nursery about 5 years ago and those plants have been excellent. I am sure prairie nursery has some good plants, but I would not advise buying liatris from them.
...See More
When is it too late to start tomatoes from seed in SD?
Q
Comments (2)
Well, if they're "doing great", does that mean they are, say, six inches tall? If so, you aren't going to do much better by buying plants. Now, buying plants early is really the best approach, as planting tomato seeds in the ground outside is an iffy proposition. But maybe it worked for you. The goal is to have the plants as large as possible when they're ready to go outside. But if you're just putting seeds in the ground at that time, you've lost a month of your short season.
...See More
Is it too late to start okra from seeds?
Q
Comments (1)
no
...See More
calliope
13 years ago
When planted in the warmth of late spring and early summer, many plants come to bloom size more quickly than those started earlier, regardless of what the package says. That's why you often see 'volunteers' under heat loving annuals blooming right along side their parents.

Now think about it. I am old enough to remember nearly everyone starting their annuals by seed. Greenhouses were for things like tomato plants and pelargoniums and usually run by sweet old codgers who were making a little copper from their hobby. In zone five it's not even safe to plant outside until after last frost. Zone five here will put you mid-may. IOW it's only been 25 days since it's safe to sow tender seeds outside. It's a lot 'earlier' than most people think. sigh. I get so weary of the mass merchandisers moving bedding plant season earlier and earlier. Twenty some years ago, when I first got into the business, June was a busy month. Nowadays, a week after Mother's Day folks are calling to see if plants are on clearance sale yet.
franktank232
13 years ago
I say do it... Last year it was June when i started a big bed and by August i had a huge bed of annuals, with many in full bloom. I would say Anytime from mid May to mid June is best for Zone 4/5... before its just too cold (and dry this year).
lisa33
13 years ago
I just started more zinnia seeds a week ago. I figured I'd enjoy having some fresh annuals in July. The little zinnia seedlings are about an inch tall now. I started them outdoors in a plastic container with drainage holes as I would when winter sowing, only without a lid.