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Growing from Seed

Planting Black-Eyed Susan seeds

16 years ago

Hello all,

I went to buy some black Eyed Susan plants for my back yard and at the posted prices it would have cost over $200 so I decided to buy some seed. I have never tried this before so I have some questions.

I bought 2 packets of seeds that have "Sell by 11/07" on them. I also bought a seedling tray (biodegradable)that has 50 spots to start the seeds in, some started soil and some miracle grow. I figured I could control the growth better this way than planting the seeds outside. It has a little plastic cover and when the seeds sprout u cut up the tray and plant them into the ground. Is this better than planting the seeds outside?

My next question is maybe I should just wait until spring to do this since it is the second week in August now and I don't know if the seedlings will make it thru the winter. Should I do this now or wait until spring? Will these seeds still be good?

If I use the planter, how many seeds go in each one?

Thanks so much in advance,

Joe

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Comment (1)

paulallen
16 years ago
Congratulations, Joe. I think you will enjoy the control and variety available to you by growing seeds indoors. I use a different method, Part-Starts, but learned it is important to keep the seeds and new plants within two inches of the shop light (two four-foot 40 watt flourescent bulbs). My blackeyed susan are the Goldsturm variety. I planted them in October, because we rarely get a hard frost before Thanksgiving. Once the plants take, you can cut small plants off the edge of larger plants, and have all of the blackeyed susan you can imagine. Given full sun (or partial sun),and good soil, it will spread. Be sure to mulch well, two plus inches around the each plant. I hope this info is helpful. Good luck.
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