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Direct sow seeds or plant in 6 packs to get some color quickly?

7 years ago

last modified: 7 years ago

Another year is here and once again I wish I had more color in my garden. I know the answer is to plant in the cool spring, but I don't get to it.

I can't decide whether to plant seeds in 6 packs which are easier to watch and control water etc., or plant in the ground, maybe in a "planting bed area" and then transplant. In the ground of course is harder as I can't control the exposure, water etc.

What method would you suggest to get the fastest color?

I thought I'd plant marigolds, zinnias, sunflowers, cosmos.

I've been to a few nurseries but all they have is the usual plants. I love to plant from seed which allows you to have the not-so-common plants.

I'm also searching for a database that gives seed to bloom time. Anyone seen that?

Thanks!

Ginny

Featured Answer

xiangirl zone 4/5 Nebraska

7 years ago

In my experience marigolds and zinnias will do very well in 6 packs, but when I tried it with sunflowers they didn't transplant well. I direct sow cosmos--never tried in a 6-pack. If you put the seeds on a wet paper towel on a paper plate inside a plastic bag and keep it in a warm spot they'll germinate more quickly, then stick them in the 6-packs and you're off to the races. Good luck! Heidi

Comments (7)

ginjj
Original Author
7 years ago
I'll try your wet paper towel idea tomorrow. Thanks!
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Thanks everyone. Guess I'll be popping those seeds into some little starter pots and put them in some shade on the deck today! Angela, thanks for that link, great resource. I think we have time, we're not off by too far if we do it now! I got the last pack of BS seeds at Lowe's yesterday so apparently everyone else around had that info! ;-). They didn't have rutabaga seeds which is the other thing I want to grow, but I have to go to a specialty nursery here to get those. It was funny, I asked the guy how many seeds he had (as in "do I have to rush down there?" and he said, "don't worry, you may be the only person in Wake County who plants rutabaga" and laughed. This will be my first attempt with rutabaga, so any tips on that will also be appreciated! I heard it's easy to grow. I just couldn't imagine planting cool weather plant seeds in this heat, but planting in the shade/sun and then transplanting makes sense! (Already looking forward to Thanksgiving dinner with BS and rutabaga :-)
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I just wanted to add my experience (zone 8 TX) - I sprinkled some seeds from some spent zinnia blooms Sept 19th in empty spots and they all germinated very quickly in the heat. The plants have buds and I'm seeing some color at the center of the flower buds! I suppose the blooms will be a bit of a consolation prize for how warm it still is in mid-November... but I don't plan to sow them quite so late in the future.
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ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
7 years ago
depending where you are .. transplanting babes .. or starting them from seed ... can be very difficult.. with the heat of summer either here.. or not far away ...

frankly .. do both methods.. and see what happens ... why does it have to be one or the other ...

keep us posted ...

ken
mxk3 z5b_MI
7 years ago
It's kind of late for annual flower seeds -- time to flowering is at least 6-8 weeks, if not a bit longer, you're looking at early August blooming at the earliest. Plus, it's HOT where I am right now, those seedlings would fry in the heat, even if they're normally heat and sun tolerant (mature) plants.

Go to the nursery and buy a flat or two of annuals -- it will work out better for you this summer. You can start your seeds earlier next summer.
ginjj
Original Author
7 years ago
Thanks to the last two posters who reminded me not expect much by seeding now and to be happy with what's in the nursery. I have started some cosmos and will start some marigolds today, pre-sprouting them, just for fun. I do live in warm San Jose where it's expected to be 85+ all week.

I will be reading GardenWeb starting in Jan to see what others are doing in regards to starting their spring and summer seeds.

Thanks to everyone for their input.

Happy Father's Day!
katob Z6ish, NE Pa
7 years ago
I just presprouted (paper towel method) and then planted a bunch of six packs full of zinnias and marigolds, so you're not alone ;)

i have them under lights for the first couple weeks and then use them to fill in empty spots outside. I like the august flush of fresh new blooms, it keeps my garden from getting that tired look!
ginjj
Original Author
7 years ago
I hadn't thought to put them under my lights but maybe I will. I know that outside in the warm sun they get 10 hours of sun, and I just read they can be under lights for 18 hours. I'll move them under the lights for 8 hours at night. Great idea! Yes, it's so good to know I'm not alone.

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