Since it self seeds with abandon once planted, I don't see any reason why you shouldn't direct sow.

I don't seem to have luck direct sowing, and I don't know why. I can germinate them fine. Volunteers do well, but direct sowing, nope. It certainly should, but nope. Not for me. And it's a must have for me.

i planted some purple when i moved in 20 years ago .. i still have some random white progeny every spring ... progeny default to mostly white over the years ... and of course ... depth of mulch might deter reseeding ...

i do not know if they have a cold dormancy on the seeds ... i guess i might have had you direct sow them in fall ... someone will have to advise on that ...

they are easily moved around at an inch or two ... on a rainy day in spring ...

ken

I sowed a lot of seed in six packs about 4 years ago and planted them along the edge of a bed. After that, I just allow them to go to seed and I seem to get a fairly good amount that come back every year. I thought they were a little sparse last season in one area, so I will probably sow seed there. I'd think you can drop seed in the fall to come up in the spring. But if I want to sow seed in the spring, I would prefer to put them where I want them and keep it watered well until they come up.

mxk3, are you sprinkling the seed on top of the soil, then lightly watering them in? Alyssum seed require light in order to germinate.

Mine self sow, but the self sown ones are later to start blooming than those started under lights. When I only have a 4 1/2 month growing season, I typically choose to plant some started under lights.

I mulch my bed heavily over the winter where alyssum grow, but I uncover it in the spring where I want them to come up. And yes, I do just sprinkle seed on the top of the soil and keep them moist until they germinate.

I start seed under lights, if I am starting other things under lights. Some seasons, like this year, I won't be growing under lights at all. I start seed under lights, if I am starting other things under lights. Some seasons

Alyssum typically grows so fast and easy, I would see no reason to not direct sow. If you're having problems,, you're really doing something wrong (from my experience). No idea what though :) Even if covered, they seem to come up (remembering when I did them long long ago and had no idea of them needing light).

That's what I say, dbarron. I can germinate almost everything (never can get Actaea racemosa or Dictamanus... yet), but have issues with alyssum. I should be able to. Such an easy plant to grow. You're quite right!

If you are direct sowing them, just a bare spot to sprinkle the seed on and then the part that is important is keeping them moist. They are small seeds and they are on the surface so it's easy for them to dry out. I usually mist them a few times a day until they germinate. Also, since they are on the surface, if it is windy, if they are not moist enough they can blow away.

If you have lots of seeds, do both...I haven't grown alyssum in a while, the flea beetles like them too much.

Got my $1.44+tax experiment ready. I'll wait until no frost and a rainy week in April.

I wanted to think you could have them blooming by the time frost free was here? Am I misremembering? No, they recommend sowing several weeks before frost-free, it's a cool season annual. Maybe you're waiting too late?

Ok, I'll do that too. I'll try it all. What have I to lose? You're right, they love cool weather.