So we’ve talked a lot about seed starting and seed starting in particular in either cell trays, flats or soil blocks.
What we haven’t talked about of course is direct sowing into the field. Now direct sowing is great because it allows for you to really cut down on your time as a flower farmer, skipping over babying seed in cell trays, growing out the seedlings, and then transplanting the seedlings which takes a lot of time especially in April and May for us – the busiest times of the year.
By direct sowing certain flowers, it really makes your life easier. You just plant your seeds in the ground, keep the bed weeded and watered, and before you know it you have plants growing – it’s so easy in comparison to having to seed transplants.
In fact, this is how most large scale farmers seed their crops – directly sowing their seeds and drilling them into the ground (using large and expensive machines of course) – and what we’ll be accomplishing albeit on a smaller scale and with less moving parts.
Note that there are correct times to sow certain crops. Late fall is best for getting certain hardy annuals like ammi and larkspur and bells of Ireland established (while the ground is still warm from the summer but air temperatures are getting cooler and the days are shorter) while late spring/early summer is best for certain tender annuals like basil, zinnias and broomcorn that need warm soil to germinate quickly and fully.
Direct sown calendula, cosmos, daucus (with flax and dill on either side) – makes for an easy and great early-summer bouquet!
But as easy as it sounds, there are disadvantages to direct sowing. While it sounds amazing, the actual reality is that things get a little more complicated.
As I mentioned previously, it’s mostly annuals that we direct sow. Their quick growth and short season means they’re prime candidates for direct sowing – both hardy annuals and tender annuals.
A good bet for annuals that will direct sow well is if they self-sow on your property. Some would argue that certain plants seem to do best when direct sown – larkspur for instance, once you grow once on your property will continue to reseed and grow everywhere with little effort on your part.
1) You’ll want to ensure your seedbed is free of rocks and branches and any debris that could make it hard to seed into. Rake and smooth your bed to a fine tilth.
2) We also like to ensure that it is as weed-free as possible. You can pre-germinate your bed by watering it and putting some frost cloth over it to heat it up and then getting rid of the weed seeds that pop up. Or if you’re using black landscape fabric, that can also help to suppress weeds. There will inevitably be some weed seeds that will find their way in, but these can be easily be pulled – you just don’t want an existing stand of weeds or masses of weed seeds that will make your life more difficult in the future. .
3) When sowing our seeds, we will dig a very narrow and shallow trench, about 1” deep and sprinkle the seed into that (or alternatively, we’ll lay down a wooden board or stick and sow seeds individually into the ground if they are easier to handle like zinnia, sunflower and pea seeds). We’ll water the seeds in gently with a watering wand and then cover with frost cloth in the cooler months – which helps to keep moisture in, prevent birds and animals from eating seeds and seedlings, and also adds a bit of warmth to the soil to encourage germination (we’ll leave the frost cloth on for a week or two while the seeds sprout)
4) Make sure you keep the area well watered and moist to encourage good seed germination. (Alternatively if you live where it is wet and rainy, you may want to instead put up some plastic to keep the area dryer to prevent your seeds from getting waterlogged). After the seeds start germinating and get their true leaves, we’ll go back through and remove the frost cloth and then weed out any weed seedlings that have popped up. You can also thin seedlings, but we rarely do that because we really like to cram our plants together for the maximum amount of flowers possible.
5) After that, you just take care of the baby seedlings the way you would with transplants – regular watering, fertilizing and then netting and pinching all the way through harvest!
Even if it’s not for every single crop you grow, there are a lot of crops that do very well with direct sowing and will make your life a lot easier – especially during the more busy times of the year, which can lead to a better work-life balance and a happier flower farmer!
Direct sowing flower seeds is one of the easiest ways to grow gorgeous flowers in your garden. By planting seeds directly in your garden beds, you skip the hassle of starting seeds indoors and dealing with the transplant shock that can happen when moving seedlings outside. Direct sowing is budget-friendly, simple, and allows flowers to grow sturdy root systems right from the start.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk through everything you need to know to successfully direct sow flower seeds for a vibrant, colorful garden.
Why Direct Sow Flowers?
There are several benefits to direct sowing flowers rather than starting them indoors
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Cost savings: Flower seeds are very inexpensive, often just a few dollars for hundreds of seeds. This is significantly cheaper than buying transplants.
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Less work: No need to deal with grow lights, seed trays, transplanting, and hardening off. Just sow the seeds and watch them grow!
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Stronger plants Flowers sown directly in the garden develop deep roots and sturdy stems right from the beginning They are already acclimated to outdoor growing conditions
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Wider variety: Many flower varieties don’t transplant well and must be direct sown. Direct sowing gives you access to more unique flowers.
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Natural bloom times: Flowers will bloom when nature intends them to, not according to your transplanting schedule. This creates a more organic feel in the garden.
When to Direct Sow Flowers
Timing is important when direct sowing flowers. Pay attention to each flower’s optimal soil temperature and wait until any danger of frost has passed. Some tips:
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Cool weather flowers: Sow as soon as soil can be worked in spring, often 4-6 weeks before last frost. Examples: larkspur, calendula, pansy.
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Warm weather flowers: Wait until soil warms to at least 60°F. Sow after your frost-free date. Examples: zinnia, sunflower, cosmos.
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Successive sowing: Sow small batches of fast-growing flowers every 2-3 weeks for continuous blooms. Examples: marigolds, nasturtiums, cosmos.
Check seed packets for specific temperature requirements and recommendations on when to plant. Optimal timing creates the best germination rates.
How to Direct Sow Flower Seeds
Follow these steps for success with direct sowing flower seeds:
1. Prepare the soil
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Loosen soil and remove weeds/debris. Break up large clumps.
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Mix in compost or fertilizer if needed to enrich soil.
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Rake smooth to create a level seed bed.
2. Make rows
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Mark straight rows with string between stakes (for bigger areas).
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Or lightly scratch rows into bed with a hoe (for smaller beds).
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Follow recommended spacing on seed packets.
3. Sow the seeds
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Place large seeds individually, covered per packet instructions.
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Sprinkle small seeds, barely cover with soil.
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Firm soil gently after planting but don’t pack down.
4. Water carefully
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Use a light spray to avoid washing seeds away.
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Keep soil moist but not soaked until germination.
5. Identify & thin seedlings
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Thin overcrowded sprouts to proper spacing.
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Remove weeds carefully to not disturb seedlings.
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Eat thinnings from edible flowers!
6. Provide ongoing care
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Apply diluted fertilizer if recommended.
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Check soil moisture daily, water when surface is dry.
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Monitor for pests and disease. Address issues promptly.
Follow these tips and you’ll have vibrant flowers blooming in your garden all season long!
10 Best Flowers to Direct Sow
Nearly any flower can be direct sown with proper timing and care. But some varieties are especially easy and reliable when direct sown. Here are 10 of the best:
1. Zinnias
A must-have annual, zinnias thrive when direct sown after the last frost. The Profusion series offers disease resistance.
2. Cosmos
These cheerful blooms germinate readily from direct sowing. Keep sowing every 2-3 weeks for continuous color.
3. Marigolds
An ideal edging plant, marigolds can be direct sown as soon as spring soil can be worked.
4. Nasturtiums
Sow nasturtiums directly in average soil and sunny spots. They bloom all summer with little care.
5. Calendulas
Also called pot marigolds, these edible flowers tolerate cool weather and can be sown early.
6. Sunflowers
Direct sow sunflower seeds in spring for late summer blooms. Dwarf varieties work in containers.
7. Poppies
Most poppy varieties resent transplanting and should only be direct sown. Use Orientals for early color.
8. Morning glories
Soak seeds overnight before direct sowing morning glory vines along fences or trellises.
9. Bachelor’s buttons
Direct sow cornflowers in fall in mild winter climates or early spring elsewhere for cheery blue blooms.
10. Sweet peas
Nick sweet pea seeds with a file and soak overnight before direct sowing in early spring. Provide support.
Common Direct Sowing Mistakes
While direct sowing flowers is fairly straightforward, avoid these common mistakes:
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Planting too early when soil is still cold and wet. Wait until soil reaches the required temperature.
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Allowing seeds to dry out. Check soil daily and water gently to maintain even moisture.
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Sowing too densely. Follow recommended spacing and thin overcrowded seedlings.
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Letting weeds take over. Stay on top of weeding to prevent competition.
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Forgetting to label sowing sites. Mark rows with plant names to identify seedlings.
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Fertilizing too early. Wait until seedlings are 2-3 weeks old before using diluted fertilizer.
With proper timing, care, and attention, direct sowing flowers is a simple way to fill your garden with beauty on a budget. Just follow the tips above for success!
Great for large volume crops
There are some crops that we need a lot of in large volumes. Crops like bachelor buttons, annual baby’s breath, basil, dove millet, German millet, broomcorn, branching sunflowers, small zinnias all are some of our staples on our flower farm. They also are some of the most easily direct-sown materials that we can grow, which is great because we need hundreds or thousands of them planted and the idea of planting all those by hand is intimidating. I’m happy that they can be direct sown instead!
Save money on potting mix, trays, heating
Since you’re using the great outdoors as your growing environment, you don’t need much equipment. There are no cell trays, no seed starting trays, no potting mix, no humidity domes, no heating needed. At most you could place some frost cloth or Agribon on top of the seeds to ensure they have a nice little warm microclimate to start germinating, but otherwise you’re leaving the seeds up to mother nature to raise.
How to direct sow flower seeds
FAQ
Can you sow flower seeds directly into the ground?
Not all seeds require starting indoors. Many flowers and vegetables thrive when sown directly in the garden, and some prefer it and won’t always thrive with transplanting.
Can I just scatter flower seeds?
We don’t recommend just throwing the seed out in the field or into the grass; anyone who’s tried scattering seed without removing other plants has been sorely …
Should I soak flower seeds before sowing?
Soaking them before you plant accelerates germination, which young seedlings will appreciate. Bottom heat and proper moisture levels create strong growth.Apr 12, 2024
How do you sow seeds directly?
- Wait Until the Soil is Ready. Begin in late winter or early spring, but only when the soil is ready. …
- Weed before Sowing. …
- Amend the Soil. …
- Create Furrows at the Proper Depth. …
- Plan for thinnings. …
- Sow the Seeds. …
- Keep it Firm. …
- Water in.
Should you plant direct sow seeds in the ground?
By planting direct sow seeds into prepared garden beds, instead of buying whatever plants are available at a garden center in spring, you can save money and choose from a much greater variety of plants to grow. Timing is key when it comes to successfully sowing seeds in the ground.
How do I prepare seeds for direct sowing?
A good book on plant propagation will tell you how to best prepare seeds for direct sowing. Follow seed packet instructions for planting depth and spacing. Some seeds require light to germinate and prefer to be sown directly on top of the soil.
What seeds can you direct sow?
You have many options when it comes to direct sowing. Some of the best vegetable seeds to direct sow include corn; leafy greens, like lettuce; peas; beans; root vegetables, like carrots and radishes; squash; and cucumbers. Most annual flower seeds do well with direct sowing. Popular choices include sunflowers, zinnias, poppies and marigolds.
How do you grow plants from seed?
Growing plants from seed is one of the most economical ways to add plants to your garden. And while starting seeds indoors under lights or in a sunny window is a very popular method, there is an even simpler way. Direct sowing is the method of planting the seeds directly into outdoor garden soil.
How do you sow seeds in a garden bed?
When preparing a garden bed for direct sowing, be sure to pull all weeds and remove any large rocks, sticks and large clumps of dirt. The soil should be fine and enriched with compost. Use a rake to loosen the soil and level it off to an even surface before you begin planting. How heavily should you sow seeds outdoors?
When should I direct sow seeds?
Timing is key when it comes to successfully sowing seeds in the ground. When to plant is based on various factors, including your garden growing zone and the date of your last frost, or when, on average, the last frost occurs in your area. When to direct sow also depends on the seeds themselves.