Poppy Tips

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Poppy flowers are another flower garden favorite that grab attention and are fairly easy to propagate and care for. Poppies come in a variety of colors and sizes so find varieties that work best for your flower garden. Poppies can be started indoors or out. It depends when you want your flowers to bloom. Higher germination rates can be achieved with indoor sowing. Most poppy seeds should be sowed at 1/8” deep but some need light to germinate so be sure to read directions. Once sowed it is important to keep the soil moist but not soggy. It will take 10-15 days for your poppy seeds to germinate. Once they become seedlings begin to water every few days until transplant size. Space your poppy plants 6-8” apart for adequate spacing and growing room. When poppies die o you can de-head them and save the seeds for the next growing seasons. You can also let them fall when ready and you will have poppies early the next season! They will need to be thinned as natural sowing does not oer exact spacing.
Suggested Varieties:
Great Red – Very popular giant red poppy flower.

 

Marigold Tips

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Marigold plants are beautiful and easy to grow throughout the United States. They come in a multiple of colors but orange being the most prevalent. Marigolds are easily grown from seeds in your flower garden. Marigolds can be grown inside 6-9 weeks before your last frost to get a jump start on the season. Starting indoors will ensure high germination and plant success. This also helps with proper spacing without the need to thin seedlings if directly sowed. After sowing seeds in soil cover lightly with 1/8” of moist soil. Be sure to water generously once after sowing. Seeds will germinate and grow quickly once sprouted. Give your Marigold plants at least 6” to “8 apart for dwarf varieties and a good 12” to 24” apart for Giant Marigolds. Marigolds love full sun and rich, well-drained soil. Add general purpose fertilizer once a month.
Suggested Varieties: Petite Mix – A dependable flower for short season gardens
Little Hero Mix – This French Marigold is an extra dwarf and very vibrant.
Crackjack – Large blooms on tall stems with vibrant colors.

 

Impatien Tips

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Growing Impatiens yourself is a great money saver and fun experience. The ideal time to plant your Impatien seeds is 10-12 weeks before the last frost date of your location. Fill your pots with sterile seed starting mix and wet the soil. Place two seeds in each pot and cover with 1/8” of soil. Once the seeds have been planted it is important to cover the pots with plastic bags to keep the moisture in. Impatiens need grow lights or indirect light from a window. The soil temperature should be 70-75 degrees for maximum germination. Impatiens can sprout in as little as 7 days but can take as long as two weeks. If the temperatures are cooler it could even take longer. Be sure to remove plastic wrap as soon as the seedlings germinate. Impatiens are susceptible to fungal disease so be sure not to over water. When plants are adequate size they can be transplanted into your flower garden. Wait until all danger of the last frost has passed and be sure to harden the Impatien plants before transplanting.
Suggested Varieties:
Super Eln – Tried and true variety that offers improved yield potential.

 

Geranium Tips

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Geraniums are slow to germinate from seed, so be sure to start your seeds well ahead of your blooming expectations which could take 14-16 weeks from initial sowing. In order to increase germination rates, it helps to soak before sowing. A good method for geraniums is to dampen a few paper towels and fold over your geranium seeds. Place in a zip-lock bag and let sit for 24 hours. Plant a few seeds per pot in high quality soil at a depth of 1/2”. Geranium seeds do not need light to germinate and should have a constant soil temperature of 70-75 degrees. To ensure adequate moisture be sure to cover pots with plastic until you notice green sprouts. When they begin to sprout open plastic to vent and place in good sunlight. Once two true leaves appear (the first leaves are seed leaves), remove from plastic cover. Allow seedling to grow for a couple weeks and then transplant each seedling into its own pot. Keep soil moist and supply 12 hours of sunlight a day. Pinch o top of plant once it’s growing strongly. This will promote branching and full growth.
Suggested Varieties: Elite Mix – True pack-blooming geraniums with rounded heads.

 

Coneflower Tips

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Coneflowers are some of the easiest and most rewarding flowers you can grow. They attract birds and butterflies and can be cut and brought inside where they last a long time. Coneflowers should be directly sowed outside into your flower garden. Spread your seeds 12-18” apart to give adequate space to fully grow. Cover seeds with 1/4” of moist garden soil. Coneflowers do well in almost any soil and tolerate dry soil conditions very well. Be sure to water them during really dry periods to keep growing healthy. Coneflowers will do well when given a fertilizer once or twice a season. Coneflowers will grow to 24” to 42” tall and will form many branches. To encourage new blooms try cutting o all the dead blooms. Coneflowers are a very hardy flower and will survive the first light frost. Cone- flowers reseed themselves and come back every year.
Suggest Varieties:
Purple – A sturdy perennial that will reseed itself.
White Swan – Pure white petals with an orange-brown disk.
Yellow – A beautiful coneflower that has bright yellow petals.

 

Sage Tips

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Sage is a rewarding herb to grow as it can add some taste to any meal. Sage is an easy herb to grow from seed but can require some patience as sage seeds are slow germinators. Sage can be started indoors or outdoors but as always we recommend starting inside for better germination rates. Spread sage seeds over soil and cover with 1/8” of damp soil but not soaked. Not all seeds will germinate and the ones that do may take up to 6 weeks. Patience is key! When your Sage seeds have become seedlings and are ready to transplant into your home garden be sure to harden them o to the outside conditions. Sage plants prefer full sun and do best in well drained soils as they prefer to not have their roots remain wet. Allow for the soil to dry between waterings. Sage comes from hot, dry climates and will do best in southern states but can be grown throughout the states. Harvest biggest leaves first and pruning the top leaves early will entice a fuller, better producing Sage plant.
Suggested Varieties:
Common – Great herb for many dishes that include meat.

 

Parsley Tips

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Parsley tends to grow best in the northern states of the country, but can be grown almost anywhere with the right care and location. Parsley can add beauty and taste to many meals. Parsley seeds are on the harder side to germinate when compared to most herb seeds. One of the best methods to increase germination is to soak your parsley seeds in warm water overnight. Be sure to change the water frequently, every 2 hours, as a growth inhibitor is released by the seeds! Sow the seeds in a seed starting medium and cover with 1/4” of soil. Keep the soil evenly moist and seeds will do best with a soil temperature of 70 degrees. Seed germination can take up to 14 days so be patient. Transplant seedlings when 6” in height and after your last frost date. Be sure to loosen soil deep into ground for health parsley plants. Depending on variety, but in general space plants 6-8” apart. Try protecting your parsley over the winter and it may reseed itself.
Suggested Varieties:
Italian Leaf – Flat, dark leaves with pronounced flavor.
Krausa – Dense, beautiful dark green leaves on strong stalks.

 

Mint Tips

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Mint is another easy herb to grow and is perfect for the beginning gardener or anyone that loves mint. Mint grows very quickly and is a hardy perennial that can grow to over 3 feet in height. We suggest starting mint indoors with controlled conditions. Sow mint seeds 1/8” deep and cover with loose, moist soil. For best germination rates keep soil above 70 degrees. When the transplants are reasonable size and have been hardened o from the outside conditions bring them outside and plant anywhere from 12-24” apart depending on the variety requirements. Choose a location that has full to partial sun and mint will do well in almost any soil conditions. Mint leaves can be harvested at any times once that plant has established itself in your home garden. Try picking them in the morning hours when the oils tend to be strongest. Spread leaves out and dry in a cool, ventilated area.
Suggested Varieties:
Spearmint – Great scent used in sauces, teas, jellies, and sweets.
Peppermint – Used in flavoring peppermint candies and teas.

 

Dill Tips

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Dill is a tall, hardy herb plant that will grow as an annual in most locations. Dill is grown for both its leaves and seeds which can be used in many ways. One of the easier herbs to grow inside and outdoors. Can easily be grown in a container garden. When grown outdoors it is important to take two things into consideration. It grows tall so be sure to plant in a location that will not block other plants from receiving an adequate amount of sun. Also since it grows tall it can be damaged by high winds so try to find a location that blocks the wind. Plant dill directly where it will stay as it germinates quickly. Find a location that has plenty of sun. Cover the seed with 1/4” of soil and water soil generously. For best results the soil needs to be cultivated deep in order for the dill roots to strengthen properly. Plant seeds in the spring after your last frost date. To ensure a long harvest try planting seeds every few weeks.
Suggested Varieties:
Common – Original dill plant with high essential oils.
Bouquet – Easy to grow with flavorful and unique foliage.

 

Chive Tips

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Chives are by far the easiest herb to grow in the home garden. They can be easily started by seed indoors or outdoors. Plant chive seeds about 1/4” in wet soil. Chive seeds will germinate best indoors in a dark spot until they begin to sprout. Then move to a location where they get some sun. Chives do well in soil temperatures 60-70 degrees. When the chives reach 6” tall they are ready to be transplanted to the garden. Find a location that has strong sunlight and rich soil, but will survive and almost any area. If you decide to directly sow chive seeds into the garden be sure to wait till after the last frost. The seeds may be slow to germinate until the soil warms up. Harvesting chives is just as easy as growing them. Once they reach 1 foot tall they are ready to be used. Cut o as much as you need. It is safe to cut o as much as half of the chive without harming the plant. The flowers the chives produce are edible as well and can be added to your salad or decoration of many meals.
Suggested Varieties:
Original – A wide plant that has an excellent onion flavor.