Grow Your Own
Annuals From Seed

Grow you annuals from seed to get a better selection of plants and to save money.

Growing your own plants can be fun. Make it a family project to grow your own annuals and vegetables. It won't seem like so much work if everyone chips in to help.

---

Buying Annual Seeds

You can buy annual seeds in pre-sealed packets or in bulk.
Packaged seeds will have a date stamp on them. Don't buy old seeds.
Bulk seed doesn't store well, so most garden centers will be serving you fresh seeds.

When to Start

The seed packet will usually tell you when to start your annuals from seed.
Some seeds can be started indoors, some will need to be planted directly in the garden.
If you've collected your own seeds you can use this seed starting chart to aid you.

Containers for Annuals

If it can hold soil, you can start annuals in it. Egg cartons, pudding cups (empty them first), milk cartons and laundry soap scoops are just a few everyday items you can use. Seed starting kits can also be used. Make sure to poke a drainage hole in the bottom of the container you use.

When using jiffy pellets to start your seeds, they fit nicely into a cupcake pan or set onto a cookie sheet. Having a try to set them in will aid in moving them around.

Soil For Planting

Regular garden soil or top soil is not recommended for starting seeds.
Use a prepared seed starting mix or soil-less mixture. Regular garden soil tends to compress down when stuck in a container. The roots need to wiggle around in the soil. Seed starting mix stays loose and allows them to move easily.

Wet down the soil mixture before using it. I use a clean bucket for mixing warm water into the seed starting soil.
Fill the growing container with the wetted down soil. Try not to compress the soil too much when putting it into the container.

Planting Your Seeds

If you have a seed packet than you'll want to read the instructions on the back.

Small seeds generally go on top of the soil. Pour some of the tiny seeds into your palm. Take a pinch of seeds and sprinkle them over the soil. Tap down lightly to set them into the soil.

Larger seeds get planted into the soil. Use a pencil to poke a hole into the soil and drop the seed into the hole. Use the pencil again to fill the hole.

Place containers into a warm location. On top of the fridge is a good spot if you can remember to water them every couple of days.

Once your seeds sprout, move the containers into an area that is both warm and bright. Our annuals from seed: seedling page has information on caring for your seedlings before you plant your annuals.