How to Successfully Plant Forget-Me-Not Seeds for a Gorgeous Garden

Forget-me-nots, with their charming blue blossoms, are a delightful addition to any garden I absolutely love having these dainty flowers gracing my garden with their beauty each spring. If you want to incorporate forget-me-nots into your own outdoor space, planting them from seeds is an easy and rewarding endeavor

In this comprehensive guide I’ll share everything you need to know to successfully plant forget-me-not seeds and enjoy their stunning blooms year after year.

An Overview of Forget-Me-Nots

Before we dive into the planting process, let’s quickly go over some background on these lovely flowers:

• Forget-me-nots (Myosotis sylvatica) are a spring-blooming perennial that produces clusters of small, blue flowers with yellow centers. They bloom in spring and early summer.

• Native to Europe and Asia, they grow wild alongside streams and in wooded areas. They have naturalized in North America as well.

• Though blue is the most common, forget-me-nots also come in pink, white, and yellow varieties. The foliage is a bright green.

• These plants prefer partial shade and moist, well-drained soil. They can tolerate full sun in cooler climates but appreciate some afternoon shade in hotter zones.

• Forget-me-nots spread readily by self-seeding. The small seeds can be carried by ants or water to colonize new areas.

Now that you know the basics, let’s look at how to successfully plant these seeds and establish forget-me-nots in your own garden.

When to Plant Forget-Me-Not Seeds

Forget-me-nots can be planted in spring or fall:

Spring

• Direct sow seeds outdoors once the soil has thawed and dried out a bit. This is usually after your last expected frost date.

• You can also start seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before your final frost to get a head start on the growing season. Transplant seedlings outside after hardening them off.

Fall

• Plant seeds in fall about 8-10 weeks before your first expected frost. This will produce blooms the following spring.

• Fall planting works well for forget-me-nots since they need a period of cold stratification to germinate well.

No matter when you sow them, forget-me-not seeds need consistently moist soil to sprout successfully.

How to Direct Sow Forget-Me-Not Seeds Outdoors

One of the easiest ways to grow forget-me-nots is by direct sowing the tiny seeds right in your garden bed. Here are some tips:

Pick a spot

• Choose a partially shaded spot with fertile, moist soil. Areas alongside woods or with morning sun and afternoon shade are ideal.

• Prepare the soil by mixing in several inches of compost to enrich it. Rake to create a fine texture.

Plant the seeds

• Scatter seeds over the soil, spacing them 4-6 inches apart. Try to spread them evenly.

• Gently press the seeds into the soil and cover lightly with about 1/8 inch of fine soil or compost.

• Water gently to moisten the soil. Keep it consistently damp but not soaked.

Care for seedlings

• Seeds will germinate in 1-2 weeks when soil temperature is around 70°F.

• Thin seedlings to 10-12 inches apart once they reach 2-4 inches tall. This prevents overcrowding.

• Weed and water when dry. Fertilize lightly with a balanced organic fertilizer.

How to Start Seeds Indoors

For earlier bloom time, you can get a head start on the growing season by planting forget-me-not seeds indoors. Here’s how:

When to start

• Begin seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before your expected last spring frost.

Where to plant them

• Use a seed starting tray or individual small pots. Sterile seed starting mix works well.

• Moisten the soil before planting.

Planting the seeds

• Simply sprinkle a few seeds lightly over the soil surface and gently press them in.

• Cover seeds very lightly with 1/8 inch more soil or coarse vermiculite.

Caring for seedlings

• Keep soil moist but not saturated. Use bottom watering if possible.

• Move to a sunny window or under lights once sprouted. Thin to 1-2 plants per pot or cell.

• Harden off for 1-2 weeks before transplanting outside after your last expected frost.

Where to Plant Established Forget-Me-Not Plants

If you already have existing forget-me-not plants, you can easily divide them or transplant self-sown seedlings to expand your flowers beds.

Some ideal spots include:

• Along partially shaded garden borders and pathways

• Near streams, ponds or moist woodland gardens

• In rock gardens, cottage gardens, or as a ground cover

• In containers paired with spring bulbs and other shade-loving plants

Caring for Forget-Me-Nots

A bit of simple care will keep your forget-me-nots blooming beautifully:

Watering

• Keep soil consistently moist but not saturated. Drought stress reduces flowering.

Fertilizing

• Apply a balanced organic fertilizer or compost in early spring and again midseason.

Pruning

• Deadhead spent blooms to encourage more flowers.

• Cut plants back by half after flowering to maintain a tidy appearance.

Dividing

• Divide congested plants every 2-3 years in spring or fall to rejuvenate.

Weeding

• Mulch in spring to prevent weeds. Hand pull any that emerge to limit competition.

Pest/disease prevention

• Improve airflow and avoid overhead watering to prevent mildew.

• Watch for aphids and treat with insecticidal soap as needed.

With the proper planting techniques and care, you’ll have forget-me-nots gracing your garden with masses of sky-blue blooms year after year. Their nodding blossoms evoke memories of springtime in the woods and add to any garden’s charm. Give planting these appealing flowers a try this season – you won’t regret it!