Are there any annuals I can plant from seeds now that will survive and bloom this year? What about perennials, or annuals for next spring?
Looking through my seed drawer, I find the following:
Desert Mallow
Hosta
Blue Poppy
Balsam
Gunnera
Painted Daisy
Sweet Pea (little sweethearts)
Hollyhock
Oriental Red Poppy
Sunflower
Delphinium
California Poppy
Calendula (orange)
Lamb's Ears
Planting seeds in mid-July in DFW
None of those...but if you look, I'll bet you can find some Zinnias and Marigold seeds that will do the trick...I do them every year at this time for extended color in the garden beds....also if you find some caladium bulbs, soak overnight or two, and they will take off running clear up to a frost....
"eyes"
All the big box stores around me have taken down their seed display shelves. I was hoping for Zinnias, but couldn't find any. I'll call around some.
Try posting in the Seed Trading Forum...I'll see if I have any Purple on mine yet that are ready to send.....Did you try Dollar General? Last time I was in there, they had some.
"eyes"
The calendula might work, but I'd start them indoors where it's not quite so hot, then transplant them when it cools off a bit.
Hmmn, found some Rose Campion ('Angel Blush' lychnis) seeds, too. Would they work? I'm willing to start stuff indoors if necessary.
Checked Dollar General, Lowes, HD, and Wally World today. No zinnia seeds, no marigolds, no seeds left at all.
I found some Zinnia (mix) seeds online, and have ordered them. An extra buck for the packet sure beats driving around from store to store. I tried calling around first, but it's almost impossible to get someone at a garden center of a Big Box store to (a) answer, and (b) know what a seed is.
or (c) care!!!
As a result, I have no problem online shopping except I buy a bit more than intended. Oh well, look at all the gas we are saving! 8 )
Good luck with your seed starting.
D Dad...
I got some hollyhock seeds from Christi yesterday and she said to plant them this year since they are bi-annual bloomers. That way the plant won't bloom this year, but may come back up next year and bloom. So it won't hurt to try doing that.
This message was edited Jul 20, 2008 10:26 PM
Never tried seed this time of year but what do you have to loose. The stores take the seeds out because they are maked for gemination this year and they don't want to hold them over. Or have you come back complaining that they didn't germinate. I'm not an accurate planter. One year I put all the seed I left or had collected into a big jar, shook them up and threw them out in the fall (some varieties actually require a chill time). I think every seed came up and I had an instant garden. It is a thrill to walk the garden every morning to see what tiny little plant is poking its head out to see the world. All gardeners are optimist and gamblers to boot. Just prepare the bed lightly and pitch 'em all out like feedin' the chicks. So much fun. Of course have to water lightly 2-3 times a day this time of year. With the extreme heat it would just be nature's heat mat.
Enough chatter.
Good luck
Christi
Thanks for the seeds and advice on the HHs Christi. I found a whole batch of other seeds in the garage as I was moving stuff around today and I may need to try the shake and toss method this year. I am not getting too much spreading from the plants I have because of the extreme heat I think.
Did I tell you to start these in the ground and not in pots...if not I surely meant to....
"eyes"