Seed Talk #20 - Cool Flowers Troubleshooting - Direct Seeding in Very Early Spring

Planning on planting cool flowers in very early spring, including some that typically prefer to be direct-seeded? Wondering if sowing directly outdoors at that time of year is the best option? Today, Lisa and Layne discuss very early spring planting of cool-season hardy annuals that prefer to be sown directly outdoors in the garden. They cover the challenges of direct seeding during this time frame and propose three potential workarounds for you to consider. Listen to the podcast and learn some options in very early spring for dealing with cool flowers that prefer to be sown directly outdoors!
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The “Seed Talk with Lisa & Layne” podcast is produced by The Gardener’s Workshop and co-hosted by Lisa Mason Ziegler and Layne Angelo. Lisa is the founder and owner of The Gardener’s Workshop, where Layne works as Seed Manager. Lisa is the award-winning author of Vegetables Love Flowers and Cool Flowers and the publisher of Flower Farming School Online, Farmer-Florist School Online, and Florist School Online. Watch Lisa’s Story and connect with her on social media. Layne is an avid gardener, seed starter, and engineer who loves learning and applying her technical knowledge to all areas of life, including gardening and growing flowers. Thanks for joining us!
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Lisa Ziegler
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#flowerfarming #flowerfarm #flowertips

[@ElderandOakFarm]

I've been really enjoying these videos/podcasts, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't really ready for your videos walking through the rows, showing us your cool flowers, etc. 😁

[@LayneAngeloTGW]

Glad you are enjoying our podcast videos! I am looking forward to seeing cool flowers blooming again, as well ☺ Thanks so much for watching! 🤗

[@HikeMichigan]

I appreciate these tips as I missed my window of opportunity in the fall. I’ve already scheduled cool flower planting for this fall and am excited to see what I can pull off this spring.

[@LayneAngeloTGW]

So happy you found this helpful, Krista! Thanks so much for watching, and best of luck with your spring cool flowers! 🤗

[@madonnaschmid7707]

Thanks to you, Lisa...I have successfully germinated my Bupleurum with ease this year!! I love listening to you both!!

[@LayneAngeloTGW]

Yay - that is what we like to hear, Madonna! Thanks so much for sharing your success story 🙌 Good job! 😊

[@ginadeeming6395]

Loving and appreciating this series!!!

[@LayneAngeloTGW]

Thanks, Gina - so happy you are enjoying "Seed Talk"! Thanks so much for the positive feedback, and have a fantastic day 🤗

[@tarar6926]

Thank you so much for this! This has been a huge question mark for me.

[@LayneAngeloTGW]

You are not alone, Tara - this is truly a cool flowers "conundrum" that so many people have questions about! Thanks so much for watching and for letting us know you found it helpful 🤗

[@greengranny3468]

The statice seeds I purchased from The Gardener's Workshop germinated in 2 days!!!!! The strawflowers germinated in 4 days. You guys are amazing! Thank-you!

[@LayneAngeloTGW]

So happy to hear that! Sounds like you have given your seeds the perfect conditions to germinate ☺ Keep up the good work, and thanks so much for watching! 🤗

[@aimeesgardens]

Thank you for this! Especially the advice for the Buplureum. I'm excited to try it the way Lisa recommended. 🙂

[@LayneAngeloTGW]

You are so welcome, Aimee! Best of luck with your bupleurum - hope you have an abundance of it this spring ☺ Thanks so much for watching!

[@lisafeck1537]

You are discussing the subject I have been thinking about. Thank you.

[@LayneAngeloTGW]

Perfect timing! Thanks so much for watching, Lisa, and for letting us know you found it helpful ☺ Have a fantastic day!

[@kathyphilmurphy5517]

I came to look over your You Tube channel from Circle of Encouragement. I loved the name of your channel because gardening is work and you don't want to waste time with methods that are not profitable. I subscribed because the information here is very easy to apply to my zone in central Texas, just figure out how to adjust up or down. Same principles apply all over. Enjoy the knowledge and experience that you and others put in on your videos.

[@LayneAngeloTGW]

So glad you are enjoying our videos! Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts, and have a wonderful day 🤗

[@marthaduffy8386]

Thank you both for the great information.

[@LayneAngeloTGW]

You are so welcome, Martha! Thanks so much for watching, and have a wonderful day! 🤗

[@cbak1819]

Thanks Ladies! Happy gardening❤

[@janjohnson1052]

Love tip #3!!

[@HERBFF4]

Thanks for all the info!! Much appreciated.

[@jlp4111]

Just the info I needed!

[@LayneAngeloTGW]

So happy you found this helpful, JLP! Thanks so much for watching 🤗

[@flatwoodsbeefarm1015]

Great video!!!

[@LayneAngeloTGW]

So happy you enjoyed this video! Thanks so much for watching and for taking the time to leave a comment 🤗

[@jenniferfisher1743]

It’s always a pleasure to hear the information that you have to share with all of us. Are you going to do a podcast about planting transplants in very early spring? If the planting window is 6 to 8 weeks before the last spring frost when should transplant be started? Also, is the gardening off process the same in the spring? Thank you for all youdo.

[@LayneAngeloTGW]

Thanks so much for these great topic suggestions, Jennifer! I am adding them to my list 😊 If you think of anything else you would like us to cover, just let me know! Thanks again, and have a great weekend 🤗

[@Lakeport.is.blooming]

Im learning and growing so much from the Gardener's Workshop 🤎🌱🤎

[@mrlang30]

Around minute 12:40 you're talking about Direct Seed cool flowers, but then Lisa talks about how she does the Buplerum darkness with her cell tray. I thought direct seeding was straight in the soil outdoors. Does it have a different meaning in Cool Flowers? I'm a zone 4a so this concept is really hard for me!

[@3kidmama]

Thank you so much. The trouble shooting tips REALLY help! Is there anything like a "cooling mat" - sort of like the heating mats we use?

[@LayneAngeloTGW]

Hello! I have heard Lisa reference cooling mats / pads before in relation to greenhouse growers ☀ Thanks so much for watching, and have a fantastic weekend! 🤗

[@judyandrews1605]

Once germinated, move to 16 hrs lights?? Take outside at night? Zone 8a

[@LayneAngeloTGW]

Yes, under grow lights for 16 hours per day would be perfect! Thanks so much for watching 😊

[@karie3]

I bought Lisa's book and seed start up kit a few years ago. I buy my seeds from her every year. My question is, does Lisa keep all her cool flower seeds in a refrigerator or freezer? I have been reading that a lot of different seeds need cold stratification. Never have I heard Lisa say she cold stratified her seeds in a freezer. The back of the seed packets of snapdragons, stock, etc doesn't say the seeds need to have cold stratification, yet others are saying they do. Please help!!!! Thanks!!!

[@Lynn-jk1qb]

What should the average night and day temps be to be able to put them in a unheated greenhouse in New England?

[@LayneAngeloTGW]

Hello, Lynn! Lisa recommends indoor temperatures of 50 to 60 F, but says that dips at nighttime into the 30s would probably be OK. Hope that helps, and thanks for watching! 😊

[@karenmcmahan3810]

This may have already been answered but I was wondering if/how you harden off your transplants before planting out in early spring. Or are the row covers enough

[@LayneAngeloTGW]

Hello, Karen! I am planning on doing an entire episode on hardening off in the next few weeks, so be on the lookout for that 👀 Thanks for watching! 😊

[@judyandrews1605]

Oh! So no heat mat for poppies or orlaya?!?

[@LayneAngeloTGW]

Hello, Judy! Lisa's recommendation is no heat 🙂 I would say to first try with no heat. If the seeds have not germinated in a timely matter and you believe it is due to temperatures that are too cool, you could try putting your trays on a cookie cooling rack on a heat mat to give them just a bit of warmth. The space I grow in is quite chilly in the winter, so I can get away with using more heat than Lisa can. You may need to experiment a bit to find out what works best in your growing space 🙃 Best of luck with your cool flowers, and have a lovely day! 🤗

[@phylmashyna6945]

Hi great info! I am wondering if an addition of “winter sowing” could be used for instance in my zone 6B on the great lakes? Planted in milk jugs or in pots in covered totes (with holes top and bottom) that get water and temp fluctuations from the elements sitting outside.

[@LayneAngeloTGW]

Hello, Phyl! That would definitely be an interesting experiment to try 🌱 As a flower farmer, Lisa does not do milk jug-style winter sowing, but as a home gardener I would certainly be interested to see what kind of results you get! If you end up trying it, please let us know which seeds you started and your success rate. Best of luck, and have fun with your experiments! Thanks so much for watching, and have a great day 🤗

[@cogasawara1]

I do not think this would work because they would probably germinate at the time that you should be planting them out. 😢

[@Tracymw99]

This is what i am trying since I got the book on cool flowers too late. At least 20 or sow seeds. Ive watched several videos where this doees work for others. Im sure its not as successful but cant hurt to try this method considering how low maintenance it is.

[@LayneAngeloTGW]

@@Tracymw99 Yes, it is certainly worth a try! There are so many ways to start seeds, and the right way is the one that works best for you ☺ Best of luck, and let us know how your winter sowing turns out! 🤗

[@gr8gardn]

I’ve winter sowed many different cut flowers in jugs. It is fine for home growing in small quantities but I find it isn’t very practical for flower farming. We need larger quantities and we want them to bloom sooner than winter sowing will provide. I also found that I couldn’t get the stem length we need. But it’s a great way to test out new flowers in small quantities without wasting valuable bed space. I do plan to use winter sowing for starting perennial seeds that take a few years to produce plants that provide many blooms.

[@gaylemartin3094]

How do you know when to start the transplants to be ready to go out 6 to 8 weeks before your last frost date?

[@jennyrose843]

As an example I live in Zone 6b, I am about to start my snapdragon seeds. It says on package to start 4-6 weeks before planting date. You must also figure germination time of the seed, this package for these snapdragons is 3 to 7 days. So by me starting these now, they should be ready to go out between March 7th and 14th . My Last spring frost date is April 23rd.

[@LayneAngeloTGW]

Hello, Gayle! You should look for information either on your seed packets or on the seed supplier's website for an estimate of how far in advance to start. The instructions might say "start indoors 4 to 6 weeks before planting date" or "start 2 to 4 weeks before your last expected spring frost". If it is a cool flower (not a warm-season tender annual that needs to be planted out after all danger of frost has passed), just use the stated number of weeks as a guide and work backwards from your "very early spring" transplanting date (6 to 8 weeks before your last expected spring frost). If a seed should be started 4 weeks in advance of planting, simply start the seeds indoors 4 weeks before your "very early spring" transplanting date. Also, keep in mind that if you are growing in soil blocks, you can typically shave around 1/3 of the recommended time off, since seedlings tend to grow faster and be ready for transplanting sooner when grown in soil blocks. Hope this helps, and thanks for watching! 😊

[@LayneAngeloTGW]

@@jennyrose843 Thanks so much for this helpful response and example, Jenny! Have a great day 🤗

[@gaylemartin3094]

@@LayneAngeloTGW Thanks so much.

[@gaylemartin3094]

@@jennyrose843 Thanks for the help.

[@pconrad9563]

I'm in 8a, Virginia Beach, and have about 60 rununculus corms. Would they possibly survive if planted in early spring? Like mid Feb or so?

[@LayneAngeloTGW]

Hello! I would recommend looking up ranunculus culture sheets for some guidance on planting. Thanks for watching! 🤗

[@toniastownhousegarden7878]

I have a question about the fungus gnat ocntril I recently bought from yall. Can I/should I use boiling water when I add powder? I normally use boiling water to hydrate my coco coir. Thanks in advance!

[@stephaniestatnick]

No it a bacteria that is in the power! also let your tap water sit out for 24 hours to allow the chlorine to dissipate

[@stephaniestatnick]

it is a bacteria

[@cogasawara1]

Now I’m confused! 😮. I thought anything that could be planted in “very early spring” could be started in soil blocks. I want to start Buplerum, Nigella and Bachelor Buttons. Should I use trays instead or can I just make sure the soil blocks are in a cool area? 🤷‍♀️

[@LayneAngeloTGW]

Hello! I asked Lisa why she starts her bupleurum successions in plug trays versus soil blocks, and she said that she has always done it that way and it has worked so well for her that she has never tried a different method! If starting in soil blocks is more convenient for you (as it is for me), I would try blocks first and then - if it does not seem to work well - try the trays. That way, you will know going forward if blocking for these types of seeds is an option 🌱 FYI, nigella and bachelor buttons are two that dislike root disturbance, so just keep this in mind when you are transplanting. I frequently start dill in soil blocks, and it does just fine! Best of luck, and let us know how this experiment goes 😊 Thanks for watching, and have a great weekend!

[@cogasawara1]

Thank you Layne!

[@reneemollineda2791]

Hi Layne- I buy all my seeds from Lisa- Question so for bupleurum and lisianthus - and really all cool flowers- should they be started on the heat Mats first?