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Growing from Seed

Growing from Scattered Seed in May

newbiegardener101

14 years ago

I am wondering if anyone knows of a plant that I can grow from seed in a zone 5 in late May (now). I have an area in full sun with fairly fertile soil and I'm wondering if there is any type of seed that I can just scatter over the surface that will grow up on its own. I don't have the time to nurture seedlings indoors and I don't have the resources to purchase mid-size plants to fill the area. Any suggestions?

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Comments (5)

albert_135 　 39.17°N 119.76°W 4695ft.
14 years ago
I got a package of "wildflower" seed from Lowes last spring and broadcast along a border. They looked quite fine throughout most of the summer. Toward the end of the summer a tiny white flower started to overgrow everything and needed to be thinned.

Several of the nicer flowers then reseeded and are looking good this year.
vikingkirken
14 years ago
Not sure how exotic you're hoping for, but zinnias, cosmos, and marigolds are all ridiculously easy to grow from scattered seed... I just scatter my seeds and then sprinkle a little soil lightly over the top of them so they are not completely exposed to birds and such.
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Yep, I also do this...but it sort of depends on how many seeds I have. If they are ones I have collected, then I can be more profligate, but if I just have a few, I like to keep my eye on them in pots nearby. Same principle though, the pots are outside my greenhouse instead of a bike ride away at the allotment, or a drive away from the wood. Convenience is the main criteria. In truth, most seeds can be sown at any time of the year and, as long as the soil is in good fettle (not waterlogged or hardpan), the seeds will hang about until it suits them and grow away when they are ready, without much intervention from us. I have hardy annuals actually in flower...which is most annoying since they will not set seed...which germinated this August, but the insanely mild autumn has fooled them into blooming - the worst outcome which you won't need to worry about now.
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burry
14 years ago
I got a nice Martha Stewart mix from K Mart a few years ago and just threw the seeds out. What mostly grew were daisies and tickseed and a coneflower or two. I would throw a packet of Sweet Williams, too, and they'll grow next year (biennial). Also nicotania is a great self-sower and will come back next year on it's own. Celosia is pretty good, too. I shook some seed out of some dried Red Velvet (looks like a brain) and they took. I agree with vikingkirken that zinnias, cosmos and marigolds are all easy.
wantonamara Z8 CenTex
14 years ago
Don't forget amaranth.or Thai celosia.
v1rt
14 years ago
I have tall burgundy amaranthus seeds. Can I just throw them in my garden bed in full sun? Or should they be sowed 1/4" deep?

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