seeds started March 5

 

Everyone's talking about spring.  It was gorgeous in Calgary this past week-end!  Well, gorgeous weather-wise, not gorgeous garden-wise.  Personally I'd rather have snow than the brown dirty mess we have right now.

But to get me through these last few weeks until spring without spending too much more money, I've finally got around to starting some seeds.  No veggies yet, too early.  Just a couple of easy-to-grow perennials and some slow-growing snapdragons (which, actually, I should have started a couple of weeks ago).  But for the record, here's what's going so far:

• dianthus 'Arctic Fire' : why? because someone gave me some seeds and I can't resist the promise of a few new plants
• potentilla 'Miss Wilmott': why?  see above.
• snapdragon 'Ribbon Series' (pink, yellow and white): why? because I love snapdragons for their frost-tolerance (they can be planted out early and bloom after the first frosts of fall), they're fun for kids, and because the bees love them too...

For a straightforward article about starting seeds, click here.

Comments

[Paul]

Absolutely fantastic gardeners article. Can I just add:
Buying Plant Seed – Plan Ahead
When buying seeds it is easy to get carried away by thoughts of flower beds filled with row upon row of glorious colour. Do not forget that the plants need to be raised in frost free and light conditions until as late as May when the weather warms up sufficiently to plant them in the garden. Consider carefully how much space will be available, particularly in April when the tiny seedlings will have increased in size considerably

[Janice Miller-Young]

Hi Paul,
Youre exactly right.  In fact, frost-sensitive plants dont go outside in Calgary until after May 24!!!  or at least, not without the possibility of protection.  Thats why Ive only started the slowest-growing plants so far.  But each week Ill start more so check back!   What are you growing from seed?
Janice