At the last RU in Arlington, I received two species of seeds that (per the book) recommend Fall sowing. While I'm familiar with Spring and Summer seed sowing to some degree with common garden flowers, my question arises of how to handle Fall sowings...
Typically, I would rake any mulch back to expose bare soil, plant/sow, and then replace the mulch after the seedlings were big enough to be exposed above the mulch. Is the process basically the same for Fall sowings or do you sow and then remulch immediately to protect the seeds and/or tiny seedlings from winter weather? This process of course, would not/did not include any seeds that are more typically planted in starter containers such as peat pots and then planted directly into the bed(s)...
Sounds like a simple question but not having done this before, thought I'd get a consensus before 'wasting' the seed gifts by doing it incorrectly.
Thanks for any info or preferred planting strategies,
Steve
Fall sowing of seeds
I normally do my fall seed planting in large pots, that way I have more control about the moisture, sunlight and even cold protection if necessary, then I move them in the spring when they are big enough.
I agree with Josephine on sowing in trays, pots to control the elements. I am too chicken to leave my babies to fend for themselves. But there are many wildflowers throughout the year I sow in situ, like you said, raking the soil to a loose consistency, sow and gently cover with the tiniest amount of soil to keep them from washing away (some require more soil to cover, just depends on the type of seed). I sometimes cover them with a little straw (less than 1/2") also, just to keep them semi protected.
Not sure if mulching would help or hinder. The rule of thumb I follow is to sow the seed at the same depth as the width of seed. So if it's a tiny seed, I surface sow, as most seeds have enough energy stored to sprout and get roots going. I would think that with too much mulch, the seedling would spend all of its energy trying to break through.
Which seeds are they? I've been sowing some natives this summer, mimicking ma nature and dropping the seeds at their natural timing. It works, most of the time. Lol. Hope this helps :)
It depends on the seeds. Some species do well with direct sowing with others its better in pots. I do a lot of direct sowing and to be honest I usually don't move the mulch. I just toss them where I hope they will end up but that method can lead to unforeseen placement.
C
I direct sow all my wildflowers and natives in the fall/winter. Poppies, bluebonnets, larkspur, etc. Now most of them resow themselves. But I still have to toss a few out there just to make sure. I have 1 area that is too far away to water but it seems to do as well or better then my tended garden beds. I don't mulch bc it seems to just give a place for the bugs to hide. Right now I have spider flowers that are just about to bloom in my front yard they are 5' tall thanks to the rain.
Wow I'd love to see those Lisa! Cleome? My buddy saw my cleome last year and thought it was marijuana, and right out in the open too! Lol
Yes, Cleome...they keep looking like they are going to bloom but then it rains and they just get taller. They are one of my favorites but I can't say they look like marijuana.
Well when they do bloom I'm sure it will be spectacular! I can see the resemblance for someone who doesn't garden..
Depends on what you garden....LOL The tall flower seems like a dead give away.
