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Planting Seeds in Beds and Borders
Planting Flower Seeds
Sowing seed directly into the soil of garden beds and borders is a quick and simple way to add color to home landscapes.
Start by choosing quality seed, and reading the seed package directions. Each species has a specific set of planting requirements. Some seeds, for instance, may require soaking overnight prior to planting to help soften their shells.
If you live in a cold-winter climate with short growing seasons, start seeds indoors to give them a head start [see: Flower Plant Lifecycles for information and a demonstration on how to start seeds indoors].
Plants also have unique habits of growth. Some grow low and spread, as for ground covers. Others may be tall, narrow, and columnar, or round, spreading, and trailing.
For this reason, note the plant’s width and spacing in this website’s plant guides. This information will help you gauge the effect of each plant in the bed.
Make any final adjustments—it’s a lot easier to move a seed now than it will be after they begin to grow and flower.
Step-By-Step Instructions
When planting seed in your garden, select from annual, biennial, and perennial flowers well suited to your climate, site, and its growing conditions.
Seeding directly into garden soil is an great option for areas with a long growing seasons and for species that are difficult to transplant.
Gather your seed and materials on an early- to mid-spring day when air and soil temperatures have peaked. Follow these easy steps to sow your seed directly into your flower bed:
Gather your shovel, clean containers, and soil lab instructions or a home soil test kit and follow these simple steps:
How to Plant Seed in Garden Soil
Mark the bed with each plant site, using the spacing interval recommendation for the species.
Sow 2–3 seeds at each marked spot. Sift potting mix or garden soil over the seeds as you plant them, pressing firmly to ensure each has good soil contact.
In as few as 5 or as long as 14 days, the seeds will germinate, root, and sprout.
The first pair of leaves that emerge are called seed leaves.
Wait until two true leaves develop before you begin to thin the planting. This avoids confusing flower seedlings with germinating weeds.
Extra plants and gaps are common in directly-sown seed.
Thin each planting to 2 seedlings by removing the weakest extra sprouts.
If some of the plants failed to germinate, use a narrow knife or trowel to transplant thinned extras into their spaces.
In several weeks, plants will be full of leaves and start to bud.
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