6,340 Garden Web Discussions | Growing from Seed
Jollyrd, you can try your public library. I found books like Gardening in Michigan, Annuals for Michigan Gardens, Perennials for Michigan Gardens, etc. I am sure you can find similar books for VA.
And I don't think you need to buy them either. Unless you live in a very extreme place like zone 2 or something, most annuals and perennials will work anyway. You only need to read the front few chapters or section that cover specific conditions of you area (like the soil type or when to start your seeds).
Redrumed, I think you are trying to find a simple way that doesn't require transplanting. What you can do is to simply loosen the top of the soil a little bit (as long it is not heavy clay underneath), then sow the seeds, and since the soil is loose, you can easily "rub" it back to cover the seeds thinly, then firm a little.
That would be similar to what happened in nature. As for covering with 1/4" or 1/8" of soil. Don't worry about it. It doesn't have to be that precise. It is just a suggestion. You only need to check if the seeds need deep burying like sweet pea needs to be sowed 2" under the soil becuase it requires darkness to germinate.
I did a lot of seeds about the same time you asked the question, and I am seeing a lot of seedlings now. :-)
I think your perennials should be fine for next year. Cleome I believe is an annual, so you might or might not see it bloom, given you are in zone 5. Perhaps you can sow half of the packet and save the other half for next year.
It may be a little warm right not to start this plant. It could not hurt to try to start a few. I find them to grow like weeks in my garden. The plants are taller than I am.
http://www.complete-herbal.com/details/eveningprimrose.htm
"If planting by seed it requires light to germinate so they should be scattered on the soil surface and tamped lightly. Watering and freezing the seeds may help in germination by cracking the seed coats. It should be kept free from weeds as it doesn't compete well with other plants. The roots grow deep into the ground and care should be taken not to break them in removing. It takes 15-30 days for propogation. Seeds may also be sown in cold frames in autumn for planting out the following year."
My regular ones I don't notice have seeded or not think I might be seeing a few, but all except for one place they seem happy have died off and not come back. I could plant them again; they are pretty in the spring.
The Chinese variety I like, too, and they *seem* to bloom for me the same year some that self-seeded even quite early and longlasting. Some I plant bloom later on in late summer and early fall. Those I can see could get to be a nuisance but so far enjoy them no matter where they seed so far. A couple of those sprouted and bloomed in a place in the street and a crack in the sidewalk, even in a damp spot where some things won't grow or do well. There I intended monarda, and they are going to overgrow their bounds if I don't control them, just two plants.
The Chinese ones I can transplant easily if I want and pinch back, and they will keep right on blooming. I like each kind in its own way and especially pretty spots of true blue.
I don't know when the monardas will bloom, maybe it is too late this year, haven't seen any buds yet, can go through my photos of others' and check dates.
Use my link below if you want to buy one. They are only 12.95. And here is a good link for the instructions: http://kansasa.blogspot.com/2007/04/seedling-pot-maker-with-gardening.html
Here is a link that might be useful: News Paper Pot Maker
Try this:
Here is a link that might be useful: Grow Guide
"draining them from the water and then putting them in equal amounts of peat moss in a poly bag"
The peat should be moist but not soggy - sterile moist sand or sterile moist vermiculite is fine too. Put them in your refrigerator, the general temp for cold stratify is approx 40F.
The seed pod needs to be a little squishy, I find. Then cut it open to reveal nice peppercorn size white seeds. As the previous message noted, clean seed in water removing webbing and leave in water 24 hours. Sow in soil with 1/4 inch or so below soil level. I leave them outside in the SF Bay Area. I get hundreds of sprouts. I have some one year old sprouts of Myrtle Wolf's Pink x ? if you'd like some-but you need to be in the appropriate growing climate. Or, I can send some seed later this year.
Steve
Magnolia - remove seed coat, sow 3 months or more @ 39ºF, may direct sow outdoors or bring temperature to warmer but still cool. Short viability seeds, do not attempt to store before sowing.
That red coating can sometimes be a little hard to clean, try soaking a couple of days, then push out the hard seed and wash in dishwashing soap to remove any oily residue.
Cherry also almond, nectarine, peach, apricot, plum. Store seed at 40F for 12 weeks then lightly cover soil temp 65-70 for germination taking 120-365 days. Used primarly for grafting stock as fruit will NOT!!! be exactly like the parent and will be slow to flower (The cherry seed will give a cherry tree BUT!!!