I love the winter sowing method! I've only been doing it for about 3years now (getting ready for this yr in 3/4 weeks) it works beautifully for those of us with no greenhouse. It buys me a full 1 1/2 to 2 month headstart on the growing season and no hardening off required. I highly recommend every gardener try it with the plants that are suitable for this seed starting method.😀
I had some purple coneflower from Mckenzie seeds that I started really early indoors under a 400 watt bulb. They were a foot high in red solo cups before I planted them outside, most of them flowered and the bees just loved them. The ones that didn't flower got less sun, so pick a bright spot. Did the same thing for rudbeckia hirta and they all flowered. The bees are gone now but the finches are ravaging them both.
Very nice. I have a Blue vervain in a pot (in Indiana) and it didn't grow anywhere near as well as yours. I will likely try it in the ground next spring!
Although Echinacea usually blooms in the second year, varieties called Cheyenne Spirit and Paradiso did, several plants of each. Some others that bloomed in the first year for me are Helenium Helena Red/Gold, several Agastache varieties, Lychnis chalcedonica, Heliopsis Burning/Bleeding Hearts, Veronica Sightseeing, Penstemons Mystica, Twizzle Blue/Coral.
My scarlet bee balm is barely alive, and it has mildew. My wild bergamot (the pink one) is doing really well, but always has mildew. I have made my peace with it, and don't try to stop it, except to thin out stems when it's really crowded. My spotted bee balm thrives and never has mildew. Apparently this particular monarda does not get mildew.
Northern Wildflowers and Wildflower Farm in Ontario. Also the seed exchange at NANPS.org. And from local groups too. Biggest source would be Northern Wildflowers though.
Really love that shot at 1:17 with the Anise, BE Susan and Blanket all together. Pretty combination.
Oh, thank you. Yes, those flowers are lovely companions.
I love the winter sowing method! I've only been doing it for about 3years now (getting ready for this yr in 3/4 weeks) it works beautifully for those of us with no greenhouse. It buys me a full 1 1/2 to 2 month headstart on the growing season and no hardening off required. I highly recommend every gardener try it with the plants that are suitable for this seed starting method.😀
100% agree.
I had some purple coneflower from Mckenzie seeds that I started really early indoors under a 400 watt bulb. They were a foot high in red solo cups before I planted them outside, most of them flowered and the bees just loved them. The ones that didn't flower got less sun, so pick a bright spot. Did the same thing for rudbeckia hirta and they all flowered. The bees are gone now but the finches are ravaging them both.
Good point about finding a bright spot. I hope I get more finches.
Very nice. I have a Blue vervain in a pot (in Indiana) and it didn't grow anywhere near as well as yours. I will likely try it in the ground next spring!
I'm sure your Blue Vervain will thrive even more in 2024!
Although Echinacea usually blooms in the second year, varieties called Cheyenne Spirit and Paradiso did, several plants of each. Some others that bloomed in the first year for me are Helenium Helena Red/Gold, several Agastache varieties, Lychnis chalcedonica, Heliopsis Burning/Bleeding Hearts, Veronica Sightseeing, Penstemons Mystica, Twizzle Blue/Coral.
Oh interesting, thanks.
Bloomed first year from seed: Gaura ‘the bride’. Live in zone 5 in west Kootneys
enjoyed the video! i'm in a similar if not same hardiness zone as you, so i too, am curious if they'll survive in pots.
Will keep you posted about how they do in pots. Thanks for watching.
Your spotted bee balm looks healthy. Do you have trouble with powdery mildew? My red, native bee balm got powdered mildew.
My scarlet bee balm is barely alive, and it has mildew. My wild bergamot (the pink one) is doing really well, but always has mildew. I have made my peace with it, and don't try to stop it, except to thin out stems when it's really crowded. My spotted bee balm thrives and never has mildew. Apparently this particular monarda does not get mildew.
Hello, Beautiful video! Where do you get your native seeds from????
Northern Wildflowers and Wildflower Farm in Ontario. Also the seed exchange at NANPS.org. And from local groups too. Biggest source would be Northern Wildflowers though.