Transform Your Garden! - How to Sow Petunia Seeds for Beginners

[@suekrebs3497]

Yes, some of us are living in cold and snow. Last Monday, I was spreading wood chips after a tree removal. On Tuesday, it started snowing and we finished with 18 inches total on Saturday. We had a high of zero today with temperatures and wind chills below zero all week here in southern Wisconsin. Seed starting definitely helps. I also have petunias, pansies, violas and iceland poppies to sow this week. I do have some lisianthus sprouting upstairs under the grow lights. I always enjoy your videos! Stay warm and happy gardening!

[@FlowerPatchFarmhouse]

Thank you, we have warmed up some and are getting rain, which I will take over snow any day. You are brave to grow lisanthus from seed, I have failed with those, maybe because they seem to take forever. It was actually quite pretty today with a bit of sun and as much as I wanted to get out to the greenhouse I was chained to my desk getting bookwork for the our corporation done, plus employee w-2's. Snore...

[@MilliePat]

Soil blocks are made from potting soils and compost. The soil blocks allow the roots to air prune. The big problems are too much water, too little water, mold and gnats. The big pluses are less wastes, no transplant damages and more seedlings in less space. I use seed starting mix as well as soil blocks 😊

[@FlowerPatchFarmhouse]

Yes, soil blocks have their plusses but they are too fiddily for me and more work than I am want to worry about. My friend, who grows a cut flower garden, loves using them. I tried and didn't like them.

[@MilliePat]

@@FlowerPatchFarmhouse I went down the rabbit hole of making the mix and now I use the commercial mixes. I don’t like the need to water everyday and the gnats

[@KarenSeckerson]

You are one of my favorite gardening you tubers, very entertaining, and down to earth. Keep doing what you do as I do learn from so much from you.

[@FlowerPatchFarmhouse]

Wow, thank you! I appreciate your kind words. I am so happy you learn things here, that is my intent, to share the garden fun.

[@rhondaschenk5727]

Fun Pamela! Thanks for taking us along!

[@FlowerPatchFarmhouse]

You are so welcome! Thank you for watching!

[@denabelles634]

Thank you for this video. I started petunias from seed last year for the first time. I didn't realize how long they would take. I think I'll start them this month. Our last frost date is the middle of May. Last year they didn't really do much until August which was disappointing.

[@FlowerPatchFarmhouse]

Mine took a bit longer to bloom too as we had such a cold start to summer, we even had some dips into the 30's at night in June. My zinnias and cosmos also took forever to do a thing, but it was the climate. Normally I direct sow those but this season I am going to start some zinnias and Cosmos inside to get a jump this year.

[@annwoleben5439]

Beautiful snowfall~

[@FlowerPatchFarmhouse]

Yes, but now it is a treacherous, icy mess. It is so dangerous to walk on once it gets to this stage. Nice to look at briefly but then I want it gone!

[@GardenHappy]

Thank you for the inspiration t grow petunias from seeds! You make it look so easy I think I will try! 🤩🤩🤩 Liz from Oakdale CA

[@FlowerPatchFarmhouse]

You can do it! It is so much fun. I know sometimes petunias used to be fairly inexpensive and not worth the effort but nowadays nothing is cheap. Though that doesn't mean I won't buy more petunias at my favorite family run garden center.

[@helenagreenwood2305]

Wow I didn't know California got snow ❄️ it's so cold in UK now too - I just started sowing seeds today too 🌿🏵️🌸 love petunias 🌸🌸🌸

[@FlowerPatchFarmhouse]

That is a common misconception by many. We have several ski resorts in California and mountain ranges or our climate is quite diverse across the state.

[@vickirickman9373]

Hi Pam Me again lol Question …. Do you put holes on the top of the lids on the other containers that you used? And once again, thank you so much for all your help helpful videos

[@FlowerPatchFarmhouse]

No I didn't as they did cover snugly anyways. I really didn't need to on the first one, it was just some extra precaution.

[@vickirickman9373]

@@FlowerPatchFarmhouse Thank you 😊 I will take your money saving tips About reusing containers It just so happens I have the same containers that you were using 👍

[@teinahenderson4182]

Good morning Pamela 🤗 Fun video. You're very entertaining, and I can appreciate your humility lol. I stumble through life too! 😂 I've never tried to start petunia seeds. As you were describing your process, I was admiring your lil green house. It's so charming and not too fussy. Love that 😊

[@FlowerPatchFarmhouse]

Oh thank you! I do love my humble little greenhouse. Yes, it isn't a showpiece, it is a hardworking space that has many flaws but I do love it and being over 20 years old now and well used it has held up very well!

[@donnamatthews4250]

Love your video!

[@FlowerPatchFarmhouse]

Thank you!!

[@lanacourtright2442]

I believe seed starting mix is just that bigger pieces are sifted out so they don't inhibit tiny seedlings by ending up on top of their little heads. 🙂

[@FlowerPatchFarmhouse]

Seed starting mix usually has no composted material in it at all. Many times it is mainly peat moss or coco coir. They start out with no fungus gnats in them but they are the biggest magnet for them when they are moistened! The large tray with the compressed pellets I started gomphrena in is teeming with gnats now and I know there was none when I started. You would be surprised how tough those little seedlings can be when they are ready to push up out of the soil. But yes, it is finer material.

[@katethegardener]

Thank you for sharing your petunia seed sowing! I don't want to spend a lot of money on annuals so I will be doing only seeds this year. I also dig up and sell my irises and hostas in spring and fall and have made a little money to pay for fertilizer and soil for my garden. It's amazing how creative you can get to save some money. Have you personally ever tried soil blocking?

[@FlowerPatchFarmhouse]

Yes, I have tried soil blocking and it was way more work than I wanted to do but I may try again for the hey of it. Especially since I have the stuff already.

[@gardensglory1229]

Your hair is so pretty! Deanna

[@FlowerPatchFarmhouse]

Oh thank you! With the texture of my hair it is more manageable long.

[@seliarenzetti5448]

Hello, Pam! I have been binge watching your videos and I have learned so much! Thank you for all that you share. I do not like the smell of Neem either. I am excited about starting petunias. They are one of my favorites and do well with the heat here. I am in northern Alabama with a 7b zone…first time chicken owner and the coldest winter we have had in a very long time. Tomorrow night it will drop to 0. I heard your chickens in the video, how are they doing in this weather?😊 I am worried sick about mine…

[@hetty2974]

Hello, im Heather 🇬🇧. I love chickens 🐔 have my own also. hope if you have a good, dry house(with a wee bit of ventilation )for them with their usual good food and some space ,perches th e n they should be happy, they don't like to be out in the snow unless they have chosen to wonder into it,I hope they will be fine ,hope you really enjoy them, it never ever gets boring, they are beautiful creatures, all have characters 😊. My girls have been resting from egg laying, but one or 2 just decide ing to surprise me with an egg,,still need a few more weeks I think,,we have not had snow yet..love to you and your little girlie's,🐔 🐥 from me and mine 🐔 xx

[@FlowerPatchFarmhouse]

My chickens are doing well. As long as they keep dry and are protected from wind and wet they should do well. In their hen house I do the deep litter method and their pen is protected with a clear tarp to keep it dryer in there too. Mine usually have the chance to acclimate to it before it gets super cold but we have had a mild winter so far.

[@giniambrosino5167]

You’ve inspired me to start some petunias this year. Can you tell me where you got your soil scoop? I ordered one from Amazon that was supposed to be “giant” but turned out to be really small. Your looks like the size I want.

[@FlowerPatchFarmhouse]

Would you believe I got this scoop at our local Ace Hardware? They had it in the bbq section with the pellet smokers and bbq's. It is actually an ice scoop.

[@giniambrosino5167]

@@FlowerPatchFarmhouse thanks so much. I'll run up to my local Ace today.

[@hetty2974]

Hello there dear flower patch lady, whow my goodness me how very enchanting, just amazing all that snow, i know its a bit of a nuisance for so many but it really is pretty,,hope that you dont get too much onntop of that,as you say it may rain,i,im so pleased you have your green house and your dear cottage studio.hmmm!.oh i do love to watch the sewing of seeds and planting thankyou so much,lovely, do tzke great care, love to garden girls and the 2 boys also.from Heather and my garden girls 🐔. Uk,xx

[@FlowerPatchFarmhouse]

Thanks for visiting! It did rain on it but not enough to wash it all away, now it is just an icy mess and very hard to walk on safely. More rain tomorrow so hopefully that will help.

[@lauriepolden6594]

I saved my seeds from my petunias every year. I do not so seeds indoors. I wait until April to start selling anything late April early May that way I can so directly in my ground or my planters whichever I’m not going to be one of these people that has a greenhouse that has an south facing window that has plenty of room. I have very little room to do any of that so it is going to be direct sow every time… that being said, I will wait until late April, and this video will be of no use to me by then, because my petunias will be starting in the ground as well. My vegetables as well, my sunflowers as well, my hollyhocks as well, my bulbs as well everything that I have, because I do not believe in starting plants indoors

[@FlowerPatchFarmhouse]

Your growing situation is much different than mine. If I started that late I would not get blooms until late summer and I want them much sooner. But we all have our preferences. Most cannot direct sow petunias successfully so this was directed to them. Sorry you did not find it useful.

[@carleanr4051]

1st time hearing not to cover pelleted seeds 😮. Thank you for that.

[@FlowerPatchFarmhouse]

My pleasure! I will sprinkle a tiny bit of vermiculite on top occasionally and that does not seem to stunt them but enough light passes through I suppose.

[@tinacolbourneart1091]

I wintersowed petunias this year for the first time and my last frost date is in 2 weeks and they still don't have their true leaves yet 😢. I'm thinking I won't be getting flowers this summer unless I buy them again.

[@FlowerPatchFarmhouse]

Do you mean you winter sowed outside or inside. Wintersowing outside never works for me with petunias unless I wait until it warms up but then I have to wait for blooms. Mine that I sowed indoors are already trying to bloom though they are quite small.

[@tinacolbourneart1091]

@@FlowerPatchFarmhouse yes I winter sowed outdoors, I have lots of sprouts with the first true leaves. I'm about to pot them up this week. Hopefully they pick up and start growing fast. Don't think I can wait till August for blooms lol 😆.

[@denisewade6439]

Pam, where do you find the EB Stone Edna’s Best soil? I have access to EB Stone products but not seen the Edna’s Best.

[@FlowerPatchFarmhouse]

Here I get it a Ace Hardware, there is one just one mile from my house.

[@roberthart897]

Where do you get the neem meal?

[@carleanr4051]

Another question. Is it just petunia pelleted seeds you do not bury or all pelleted seeds? Thx

[@FlowerPatchFarmhouse]

Both. They need light to germinate.

[@carleanr4051]

@@FlowerPatchFarmhouse Cool. Thanks!

[@lorimuschko2541]

Love your video. Just a question do you have budworms on your petunias. Thanks

[@FlowerPatchFarmhouse]

I get very small break outs of them. Many times pest infestations can be due to over fertilization and many do over fertilize their petunias. The soft succulent growth is a magnet. When I get an outbreak I will, in the evening, sift some flour over the plant, the budworms ingest it, they can't handle it and die. I spray off the plant in the morning and voila', budworms are gone. I also am careful to be very judicious with fertilizing them.

[@lorimuschko2541]

Thank you I will try that

[@dustyflats3832]

🤣😅🤣😅🤣😅🤣😅🤣😅🤣😅🤣😅🤣😅🤣 Middle of March last frost date! That hit the Mark!! Many don’t understand our springs in cold areas don’t arrive and stay arrived and this is what we can get even After it has been substantially warm! I think because it has been OFF THE CHARTS warm here in WI many will plant WAY too soon and be crying for it. La Niña weather pattern is suppose to return this summer and hopefully straighten out our severe drought and heat problems. Thanks for the laugh!!

[@FlowerPatchFarmhouse]

You are welcome! Your Spring sounds so much like mine and each year it can be quite different. I remember some years back we were getting 90 degree weather in May. That is typically unheard of here, we are still getting snow, usually. We typically have 5 years of drought and then a couple of drowning years, the past two winters have brought us a lot of rain and snow. Then we will most likely go back to a few drought years. It has been that way since I was a kid and remember my dad policing how long we took a shower in the drought years.

[@dustyflats3832]

@@FlowerPatchFarmhouse yes, 90 degree weather last May and it advanced plant growth too much and end of May it froze and we lost a lot because that advanced growth was too tender. I just watched a WS demo from a university and there is a whole pile of misinformation again. Drives me crazy when I hear ‘Mother Nature knows when to wake up the seeds’ UGH!! They are in a milk jug artificial environment and these Abnormally Hot winter temps are messing with germination times. Has nothing to do with the natural environment. A true outdoor sow like you have done with poppy seeds is natural-the jugs are not. Lost a lot of seeds last winter’s WS projects when the hot temperatures started in January. I don’t want to heat my greenhouse in winter for WS projects that are way advanced before it’s time. Then I may as well sow indoors.

[@emmyhusfloen]

Crazy you are a zone 8 and still have frost in May.. I am Zone 4b and May 15th is our last estimated frost date...

[@FlowerPatchFarmhouse]

Yes, that is why I am always preaching that zones don't determine first or last frost date, only the average low temperatures you may get. That is it. The zoning was never intended to tell you your garden season length, only what plants may live through your lowest average temps. I try to explain it in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pnrKhK13qpWVfqcsi=78YAMwCyIW2RY_U4

[@gwen6518]

I also like to start seeds in the lunch meat trays and i use masking tape on the side to write the seed name.

[@GardenHappy]

That is a great idea Gwen!

[@FlowerPatchFarmhouse]

Sounds great! I am just lazy and write right on the containers.

[@richardcrow7760]

W hat is the name of the neem seed oil. Don't see in in the more section

[@FlowerPatchFarmhouse]

It was a complete failure and caused mold issues so I took it down. My later videos shared this, I guess I should put a huge warning message and link to the video where I share what happened! I did not think to do that.

[@dianadowhaniuk8173]

Use boiling water on the soil before seeding to end fungus gnats. There are several videos on KZbin. It's easy and almost free.

[@FlowerPatchFarmhouse]

Thank you, Yes, I have that listed in my Blog post and prior video on getting rid of fungus gnats but sometimes you don't want to wait for it to cool and drain well. That takes planning and sometimes I just want to jump in and start when I have a spare moment in the day.

[@sydohbaby]

I never understand when they say to make sure not to pack in the soil too much in the cell trays. Like what about direct sowing or seeds out in nature? 😂

[@FlowerPatchFarmhouse]

I know, right? Sometimes you have to use your brain and think things through.