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Sowing Annuals Outdoors
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One of the easiest flower gardens to grow is one comprised of annual
flowers that can be sowed directly into the ground. In this newsletter,
we'll focus on some all-time favorites: cleome, cosmos, larkspur,
sunflowers, and zinnias. Here are some general tips for growing these
reliable beauties:
1. Choose a location that receives at least 6 hours of direct sun per day.
Prepare your soil for planting by incorporating aged manure or
decomposed compost, removing rocks, and raking the soil to form a
smooth, level surface.
2. Plant larger seeds, such as sunflowers, directly where you want them
to grow. Sow smaller seeds, such as larkspur, by shaking the seed
packet over the surface of the soil. The seed packet contains guidelines for how
deeply to plant the seeds and whether or not to cover them with soil. Even if
the seeds are left uncovered, be sure to gently press them into the soil.
3. Water with a misting or sprinkling nozzle on your garden hose or
watering can. Keep the soil moist until the seeds germinate.
4. When seedlings develop their second set of true leaves, you may
need to remove some of the seedlings to achieve proper spacing
between plants. Try to leave the largest, most vigorous plants.
Snip the stems with small scissors. (I know this is hard, but it's got
to be done!)
5. If you plan to cut most of the flowers, sow some seeds every two
weeks for as long as your growing season will permit. This will
ensure more continuous flowering.
Here are some specific recommendations for these annuals:
Cleome
Cleome seeds need a cold treatment before germination, so place
your seed packet in the refrigerator for 2 weeks before planting.
Cosmos
Cosmos tolerate dry, sandy soils and will flower better if they are not
fertilized. Pinch back young plants to encourage branching.
Larkspur
Larkspur seeds need a cold treatment before germination, so place
your seed packet in the refrigerator for 2 weeks prior to planting.
Sunflowers
If your garden is just for cut flowers, you can space the sunflowers
closer together and skip the fertilizer. Rich soils and wide spacing
encourage the plants to produce flowers that may be too large for
bouquets.
Zinnias
Pinch back young plants to encourage branching.
Q. Will annuals such as cleome, snapdragons, marigolds, and
cosmos be able to self-seed in a garden that's mulched with bark chips?
A. Adding a new layer of mulch every spring can cover up the seeds
that were naturally sown by the plants the previous year. If possible,
wait until the seedlings are a few inches tall before mulching and use a
thin layer of mulch. You may have better luck with a mulch that contains
particles smaller than bark chips, such as wood chips or cocoa hulls.
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