Mary, I have had good success with growing tall zinnias from seed. I just put them in a big pot. That was last year, and several new ones came up this year. Last week I planted baby ball carrots, beets, and broccolini all from seed directly in the ground. I also do sweetpeas every year. I have some pansy seeds in a couple of pots, but they haven't sprouted yet. You have to keep the newly planted seeds damp until they sprout, so that means a sprinkling everyday. Its fun to try seeds. There is something healing about nurturing a little speckle of life, and watching it transform into a beautiful thing.

I gotta tell you, there is nothing quite as thrilling as seeing sprouts that you seeded by hand. It's a rush.

It does require some stuff that doesn't come naturally (to me, anyways). You have to pay attention to your seeds - some are incredibly easy and germinate within days - zinnias (I'm with you on that one, Virginia), marigolds, vinca seems pretty easy, etc. What gets challenging is different seeds = different needs. There's some that need a certain amount of prep work (scarification, which is just nicking the seed coat, cold stratification, etc.). Many are as easy as raking up the ground and throwing a handful down without even burying them - some seeds won't germinate without sunlight.

I believe hollyhocks are pretty easy; (have I ever done them? No, but Susie complains about them self-seeding all the time!) you should just be able to press the seeds into moist soil about 1/4" right in the ground. You get to decide whether you'll take the chance on them sprouting evenly or whether or not you'll want to thin them (it can be hard to force yourself to pull up a perfectly good seedling just because it's too close to its neighbor). Keep the soil moist until you see green and then back off on the water.

Should you decide to really get into this (it is addicting) there's books out there (The Seed Starters Guide is one) or Thompson & Morgan puts out a pamphlet for $1 that talks all about germination temps, special needs, germination time, etc.). Yes, seeds are cheaper, than plants, but you can sink plenty into accessories if you get into it!

BLah blah blah. No more coffee for me this morning!

HTH!

I love planting from seeds... I've had a ton of success with zinnias and margiolds from seed... I've also sown sunflowers directly and in peat moss pods and they done fantastic (I've also grown basil(4 kinds), watermelon, larkspur, and some other things from seed)... I've had a lot of success with this, although I went into it expecting nothing... I also started everything indoors in peat moss pellets so that when I was busy studying it was easy to still care for them... I think that I'd try zinnias for a first time, they are beautiful anyways, but definitely try the flowers you like... if it was real hard, there wouldn't be seeds to plant... just keep your spirits high... with the weather cooling down, it shouldn't be too hard...
Brittany

Thanks folks! I'll give the zinnias a try, along with some hollyhocks and maybe sunflowers. Carrots and beets sound like a good idea too.

Thanks again....and see you tomorrow at the Master Gardeners gig.

Mary

Hollyhocks are easy, I am always plucking seedlings out of the yard and moving them to a place that the big bad battery lawnmower can't reach. LOL! You can just plant them as PC outlined and watch them go!

I have had lots of luck with seeds. I plant them in those little plastic greenhouses (with the peat pots that you add water to and they expand)and keep them moist. I have a grow light I hang over them and they just sprout right up. Some seeds I will start in a moist paper towel inside a ziploc baggie or sealed plastic bowl, I place them on top of my frigerator and the nice warmth makes them pop out quickly. Then I carefully move them to the plastic greenhouse peat pot and grow them up to about 2-3 inches, then transplant outside.

Good luck and don't be afraid to try them. A whole pack of seeds is less than a 6 pack of plants and you can get 3-4 dozen plants! It is great fun to sit back and gaze at a large beautiful plant you started from seed!

Susie

So I guess the main difference, other than money between seeds and already started plants is instant gratification, right? I plant the seeds now, hollyhocks for example, but won't see flowers till next summer. Is this right?

I have two containers of wildflowers, but there are no flowers, just green sprouts. They have looked this way for MONTHS now. When, when, when....will I see the flowers? [sigh]

--Mary

All these darn Seed Heads are starting to get to me too! LOL!! I am attempting some Holly Hocks & Cardinal Climber. I'll be putting up my greenhouse in the next month and I think I'll experiment with Zinnias and a few others also. My yard is full of "Instant Gratification" now so...I guess I'll try seeds :)

PC is absolutely right, it's incredibly gratifying, and addicting. The toughest part by far is the waiting, I have waited for over 2 years (not to discourage anyone!) for some plants to bloom. I currently have a 2 year old seedling of a calla lily "green goddess" that I am waiting on...but I know the result will be well worth the time! Most plants you don't have to wait that long for, usually within a couple of months to a year you can get results.

HTH,
Trudi

Actually, Mary, there is another benefit that I've noticed - the plants tend to acclimate much better - of course, they were raised with exposure, temps etc. that are appropriate to our area - not that the plants we buy that were raised in California don't take, they just aren't as acclimated and it takes time for them to get going. The survival rate is so much better, as well.

HTH!