Here in Toronto we have a short growing season (last frost date is in early May). Any suggestions for flowers that are to grow from direct-sown seed, especially annuals? (I'll be planting some native seeds this year but I don't expect them to bloom for the first few years.)
Last year I grew morning glories, alyssum (Lobularia maritima), nasturtium, and cosmos from seed, but I'd like to diversify this year.
Thanks in advance!
Cleome, Nicotiana(highly fragrant)...marigolds have time...asters do too.
Have you considered wintersowing to help you get a head start on things? I've never done it so can't give you any guidance, but I know some people in colder climates love starting seeds that way and it probably expands the options of what you can grow.
Don't forget Poppies!!
Actually, I tried winter sowing once. My self sown seeds outgrew the ones that I winter sowed and transplanted...in my opinion (and I'll probably be hung for this) it wasn't worth the trouble.
How could I have forgotten the poppies? I had Double Shirley poppies last year, and they were gorgeous (until they set seed and died when I went away for a week). This year I will scatter them here and there so that if/when they pull a disappearing act they won't leave a big gap.
I love my Shirley Poppies!! I scattered seeds everywhere, the other annuals and Perennials helped hold them up. They bloomed right up until frost got them.
Zinnias? Four o'clocks?
Karen
Well, I went on a couple of seed shopping sprees!
At Canadian Tire, I got sweet peas, bachelor's buttons, four o'clocks, morning glories (dwarf Blue Ensign and climbing Heavenly Blue), zinnias, and catnip.
At Stokes (online), I've ordered godetia, coleus, snow on the mountain (euphorbia), marigold, mignonette, nicotiana, and salvia.
I can't wait for winter to end.
Although I don't have enough room, so haven't tried, my mom has echinacea that self-seed and also grows datura, lavatera and rudbeckia from seed. She plants marigold and impatiens, etc. as well but I believe she starts those indoors. I've had great results with and highly recommend Vesey's for all your planting needs.
http://www.veseys.com/ca/en/
Good luck!
threegardeners, that is an interesting result you had from WS-ing! I am sure curious as to h ow that came about, since I have gone whole hog for that method myself this year -- a first time Ws-er. Well, saving some seeds back for insurance, but still, all results are worth looking at, IMO. so I kind of wish you would brave the Winter Sowing forum and offer your experience, tho I can sure understand if you just don't want to, LOL!
Hey, Rosemary, it so happens I happened across a very cool gardening blog and forums and website the other day that is based in Toronto, you might want to check this out:
http://www.yougrowgirl.com/
They seem to really know what they're doing up there!
best of luck!
Kyla
