Perennials- Fall or Spring?

16 years ago

I dug a new bed in the front yard that will be planted with perennial flowers. I was thinking of starting them indoors under lights next month and planting them out in August or so. Would this be ok, or should I just wait until late winter/early spring to start seeds and plant them? I thought this way would give them a head start and would avoid having to nurse them through the blazing hot summer.

Not sure yet what I want to plant. I like the tall cottage garden plants like delphiniums, foxglove, and hollyhocks and i'm looking at a bunch of others. The front yard gets morning sun and shade in the mid and late afternoon, so it seems like the ideal place for most of these plants.

-Matt

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Comments (5)

seedmama
16 years ago
Goody,goody,goody! A chance to recruit another convert! Yes, you could start them indoors, but I strongly encourage you to learn about the Winter Sowing method. I've attached a link to the WS forum. Sowing has died down over there, but you are just in time to hear all the raves about how successful the method is.

There is no need for lights (read save on your electric bill), and you don't have to worry about things like damping off, or producing just the right temps and light conditions to germinate.. Your timing is really good because you can can have all your stuff together in time for the Dec 21 Winter Solstice kick off.

The biggest downsides to Winter Sowing are that 1) it is highly addictive and 2) you will have more plants than you will possibly know what to do with. Be sure to peruse the FAQs while you are there.

I do hope you'll give it a try.

Here is a link that might be useful: Winter Sowing Forum
soonergrandmom
16 years ago
seedmama - I just came in to cool off from digging a really deep hole and planting an entire pot of echinacea that I wintersowed winter before last and couldn't find a place to put last year. They were ready to bloom and I just now got them in the ground. Big strong plant tho. Nothing beats Winter Sowing for perennials. The agastache that I grew from the seeds you gave me is huge this year. I have it in two places and one is about knee high like it was last year, but in the other location is chest high and not blooming yet. I should have done my homework, because I didn't know it would get that tall. It is a pretty plant even before it blooms.

I used the same jug method to start my fall garden last year. I just planted in the jugs, put them in the shade, and checked for moisture now and then.

Careful Matt, she will get you hooked. I read for a long time on the WS Forum and just didn't know if it would be worth trying in Oklahoma.....then seedmama started couching me and sending me seeds, along with Lisa, and now I am hooked big time. Carol
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seedmama
16 years ago
Um, I'll admit to a lot, including coaching soonergrandmom. But I will not acknowledge couching her. Ever.

Need some seeds? Heheheh
soonergrandmom
16 years ago
Some people should proof-read, and others should clean up their dirty mind. LOL Coach - coach - coach, as in teach.
carsons_mimi
16 years ago
lol...lol...lol