Reseeding Annuals

Tight budgets or just a sense of wonder may have you looking for annuals that readily reseed in the garden.

Seedlings of cosmos, sweet alyssum, flowering tobacco, pansies and more can be found popping up in unexpected places in your garden. 

Keep in mind hybrids that set seed will produce off spring that may be taller, shorter or a different color or flower form than their parent. 

Simply allow your annuals to set and drop seed where they’re growing.  Do not cultivate, mulch or use pre-emergent herbicides where you want these seeds to sprout and grow. 

Or collect the mature seeds and sow them in a prepared seedbed.  Mark the spot to avoid accidently weeding out the seedlings you are trying to grow.

So don’t tidy up the garden this fall, then be patient to see what sprouts and by being flexible you can enjoy what nature provides.

A bit more information:  The seedlings often sprout in amongst crowded plants and in areas where you have other plans.  Move these young seedlings to a desired location and give them the same post planting care as the annuals you purchase.  And be sure to enjoy a few surprises.  I had several petunias sprout in amongst my pavers.  They thrived despite the heat and drought and made me smile each time I walked by them.

Tags

seeds sweet-alyssum sulphur-cosmos cosmos pansy nicotiana

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