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How to Grow Petunias from Seed

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Petunias are a beautiful flowering annual plant that you can easily grow from seed. Annual plants provide you season long color in the garden with their continuous blooming and fast growth habits. When planning your annual garden be sure to think about color, growth habit and sun needs. Petunias are hungry plants meaning they love to be fertilized and they love water

petunia flowers growing in garden

Here are the steps on how to grow petunias from seed:

  1. Start your seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last frost date or earlier for early blooms.
  2. Fill a seed starting tray with a sterile seed starting mix.
  3. Sprinkle the petunia seeds on top of the soil.
  4. Lightly cover the seeds with more soil.
  5. Mist the soil with water.
  6. Cover the seed starting tray with plastic wrap or a clear lid.
  7. Place the seed starting tray in a warm, sunny spot or under grow lights.
  8. Remove the plastic wrap or lid once the seeds have germinated and the seedlings have their first set of true leaves.
  9. Thin the seedlings so that there is only one seedling per cell.
  10. Fertilize the seedlings with a weak solution of liquid fertilizer once a week.
  11. Harden off the seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions for a few hours each day, before transplanting them outdoors after your last frost date.
  12. Water the petunias regularly, especially during hot, dry weather.
  13. Fertilize the petunias every 2-4 weeks with a balanced fertilizer.
  14. Deadhead the petunias regularly to encourage new blooms.
  15. Enjoy your beautiful petunias!
Red Petunias

Here are some additional tips for growing petunias from seed:

  • Use a good quality seed starting mix.
  • Keep the soil moist but not soggy.
  • Fertilize the seedlings regularly.
  • Harden off the seedlings before transplanting them outdoors.
  • Water the petunias regularly, especially during hot, dry weather.
  • Fertilize the petunias every 2-4 weeks with a balanced fertilizer.
  • Deadhead the petunias regularly to encourage new blooms.
  • Protect the petunias from pests and diseases.

With a little care and attention, you can easily grow beautiful petunias from seed. Petunia do so well planted in containers or in ground.

Happy Gardening!

Ciearra

5 Reasons Your Elephant Ear Bulb Won’t Grow

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We’ve all been there! You planted your Elephant Ear bulb and it’s been a few weeks and nothing is happening. I’ve got you covered and more than likely your bulb is just fine!

5 Reasons your Elephant Ear Bulb Has not Sprouted!

It’s still dormant

Elephant ear bulbs can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months to wake up. Patience is a virtue when you are starting Elephant Ear plants from bulbs.

It’s too wet

I hate to say it but overwatering is one of the big reasons why Elephant Ears do not sprout. It’s best to err on the side of caution when it comes to watering. Aim to keep the soil moist but not soggy.

It’s too Cold

When it comes to waking up elephant ear bulbs you will want to maintain a minimum temperature 65 degrees in order to spur the bulbs to break dormancy. Using a seed starting heat mat can help maintain warmth if your room or space is cool.

It’s too Dry

For your Elephant Ear Bulbs to break dormancy it needs to remain moist. Having a dry bulb in soil it not typically enough to encourage the bulbs to wake. For success water your bulbs when the soil has dried halfway down in the pot.

Potted Elephant Ear Plant

It Needs more time

I know that it can take a while but growing Elephant Ear Bulbs need time. When your bulbs are fully asleep it can take a while for them to wake all the way up. I have started bulbs in mid February only to have them wake up in June and July. Most if conditions are right wake up much sooner than that.

Tips

If you are worried about your bulb you can pull the soil back until you see the top of the bulb. Use your finger to press around the top to confirm that the bulb is still firm. If it is firm then your bulb is likely fine.

If when you pull back the soil and you see growth then you know your bulb is up and you can cover it back with soil and continue with regular care.

Elephant Ear Plants are no doubt gorgeous plants to have in your garden. They provide that tropical feel that for a second makes you think you are on an exotic vacation.

Happy Gardening

Ciearra

How to Grow Dahlia From Seed

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I don’t know if you know this but Dahlias are so easy to grow from seed. They make beautiful cut flowers adding whimsy and wonder to any garden they reside. You can start your Dahlias from seed outside directly in the garden or start them early indoors and get a jump on the garden season.

This blog post may contain affiliate links and if you make a purchase you will be helping me continue my love and passion for gardening.

Before you begin you will need to source out Dahlia seeds. There are many retailers that will have seeds in stores starting in January and sometimes earlier. If you want more variety than what’s in store I suggest ordering online. Here are some of my favorite places to shop online.

Park Seed

Seedville USA

Amazon

Etsy

Now that you’ve got your seeds it’s time to decide when and how you want to plant them. The easiest way to start Dahlias from seed is to plant them directly in the garden after your first frost date. You will follow the depth requirements on the seed packet then once planted water them in and let nature do the rest! Kidding, well not entirely. You will need to keep watch for birds and other critters that would love to dig up and eat your seeds

Inside or Out?

Outside

Whether you start your Dahlia seeds inside or out is up to you. Both options are wonderful depending on your situation. Starting your Dahlia seeds outside will be the easiest by far but you will have to deal with pest pressure.

Birds, chipmunks, squirrels among many others will be after your seeds as soon as your plant them in the ground. Aside from watering nature will take care of them for you. You will have stronger seedlings that grow into healthy plants.

Follow the planting guide on the seed packet for planting outside in ground. You will likely need to plant your seeds about 2 inches apart and and inch or so down in the soil.

If you also love Zinnias you can learn how to grow them here!

Inside

To grow indoors you are going to need patience and space because Dahlias sprout and grow very fast! Here’s what you need to get your Dahlias started.

Seed Starting Supplies

Seed Starting Mix

Small Pots

Grow Light

Dahlia Seeds

You can get high tech/ expensive with seed starting if you want, but you can totally do it low cost. All you need is what’s listed above. Using seed starting mix when starting seeds indoors is important because seed starting soil is sterile. Potting soil can have bacteria that can aid in seedling death called damping off. So you need to keep clean tools, pots and soil for the best germination rates.

How to grow Dahlia From Seed

Fill your pots with seed starting mix then depending on the size of your pots plant your seeds 1/2 inch down, cover with soil and water them. Be prepared to keep your seed mix consistently moist. Dry soil can be the death of young seedlings

If you don’t have strong window light or overhead grow lights you will get leggy (stretched) seedlings. While you can grow your seeds in a window sill but I highly recommend you get a grow light or two.

Aside from overhead lighting you will want to keep your seedlings in a warm area of your home. Sunflower seeds don’t need to much heat to germinate but do best in a warm room.

Dahlia Sprouts

Once your Dahlia seeds sprout you will want to make sure to keep the soil moist, light consistent and the space warm. Seedlings need at least 13 hours of daylight. This is made easier by the use of artificial lights. You can leave your grow lights on for at max 16 hours a day to keep your seedlings happy.

When you begin seeing roots growing from the bottom of your pots it’s time to repot your plants. If your outdoor temps are warm enough ( Above 46 degrees at night) you can transition your seedlings into your garden.

To learn how to transition your seeds I recommend you read this post!

If it’s not yet time to plant your seedlings outside then continue with regular care until the weather is right. You may have to repot your seedlings several times before transitioning them out into the garden.

Planting Outside

Once you’ve transitioned your seedlings it’s time to plant. You can plant your seedlings in containers, raised beds or in ground. When you plant be sure to use an organic fertilizer to feed your plant. Annuals grow quite fast and are very heavy feeders so make sure to provide them with fertilizer all season long.

Growing Dahlia from seed is such a great way to add beauty and life into the garden and what’s amazing is that you can collect seeds from your own plants and grow your own stock year after year. Dahlias are amazing in potting arrangements and come in so many different heights. You can add them to your landscape or in a cut flower garden.

Happy Gardening

Ciearra

How to grow Sunflowers from Seed

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Sunflowers are some of the most gorgeous flowers you can grow! They make amazing cut flowers and are very easy to start from seed and maintain. They come in all different varieties, colors, and heights. There’s one for everyone and every size garden.

This blog post may contain affiliate links and if you make a purchase you will be helping me continue my love and passion for gardening.

Where to Buy Seeds

With so many retailers that sell seeds the world is your oyster when It comes to where to buy seeds. Here are some of my favorite places to shop online for seeds.

Park Seed

Seedville USA

Etsy

Inside or Out?

Outside

Whether you start your Sunflower seeds inside or out is up to you. Both options are wonderful depending on your situation. Starting your sunflower seeds outside will be the easiest by far but you will have to deal with pest pressure.

Birds, chipmunks, squirrels among many others will be after your seeds as soon as your plant them in the ground. Aside from watering nature will take care of them for you. You will have stronger seedlings that grow into healthy plants.

Follow the planting guide on the seed packet for planting outside in ground. You will likely need to plant your seeds about 2 inches apart and and inch or so down in the soil.

If you also love Zinnias you can learn how to grow them here!

Inside

To grow sunflowers indoors you are going to need patience and space because sunflower seeds sprout and grow very fast! Here’s what you need to get started.

Seed Starting Supplies

Seed Starting Mix

Small Pots

Grow Light

Seeds

You can get high tech with seed starting if you want, but you can totally do it low cost. All you need is what’s listed above. Using seed starting mix when starting seeds indoors is important because seed starting soil is sterile. Potting soil can have bacteria that can aid in seedling death called damping off. So you need to keep clean tools, pots and soil.

How to grow

Fill your pots with seed starting mix then depending on the size of your pots plant your seeds 1/2 inch down, cover with soil and water in. Be prepared to keep your seed mix moist. You don’t want to let your pots dry out.

If you don’t have strong window light or overhead grow lights you will get leggy (stretched) seedlings. While you can grow your seeds in a window sill but I highly recommend you get a grow light or two.

Aside from overhead lighting you will want to keep your seedlings in a warm area of your home. Sunflower seeds don’t need to much heat to germinate but do best in a warm room.

Sprouts

Once your seeds sprout you will want to make sure to keep the soil moist, light consistent and the space warm. Seedlings need at least 13 hours of daylight. This is made easier by the use of artificial lights. You can leave your grow lights on for at max 16 hours a day to keep your seedlings happy.

When you begin seeing roots growing from the bottom of your pots it’s time to repot your plants. If your outdoor temps are warm enough ( Above 46 degrees at night) you can transition your seedlings into your garden.

To learn how to transition your seeds I recommend you read this post!

If it’s not yet time to plant your seedlings outside then continue with regular care until the weather is right. You may have to repot your seedlings several times before hand.

Planting Outside

Once you’ve fully transitioned your seedlings it’s time to plant. You can plant your seedlings in containers, raised beds or inground. When you plant be sure to use an organic fertilizer to feed your plant. Annuals grow quite fast and are very heavy feeders so make sure to provide them with fertilizer all season long.

Growing Sunflowers from seed is such a great way to add beauty and life into the garden and what’s amazing is that you can collect seeds from your own plants and grow your own stock year after year.

Happy Gardening

Ciearra

7 Plants that make your garden a tropical paradise

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There is nothing wrong with a traditional styled garden, they are classic but tropicals just pack a punch in the garden. There are so many tropical plant combinations that make you feel like your on vacation as soon as you step outside your door. Here are my favorite tropical plants that pack a punch in the garden.

Plants that turn your garden into a Tropical Paradise

Banana Trees

Banana trees are grown as annual and perennial plants depending on your gardening zone. You can grow them in ground or in pots and their big leaves have a way of making you feel like your on a tropical vacation when you step outside your door!

Hibiscus

There are several types of Hibiscus and all are gorgeous! They have big beautiful blooms that come in different colors. Did you know Hibiscus is often used for tea?

Elephant Ears

Elephant Ear plants are so gorgeous and boost big leaves that are shaped similar to you guessed it Elephant Ears.

Learn how to grow your own Elephant Ear Plants

Coleus

Coleus come in so many shapes and colors! They add that bright pop of tropical colors to the garden and are so easy to propagate.

Canna Lilies

Gorgeous Canna Lily plants come in different sizes and colors there’s a perfect one or two for your garden

Ferns

Ferns are so beautiful! They have the frilly foliage and looks so beautiful when it blows in the wind.

Palm

Palms are so stunning in the garden and are available at any garden centers from spring through fall. They look amazing in the garden and add height to any space.

Caladium

Caladium are like miniature Elephant Ear Plants but in more colors! There’s one for every garden!

Posts You May Be interested in!

Which tropical plants are your favorite to grow in your garden?

Happy Gardening

10 Tips For Small Space Gardeners

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Photo by Lukas on Pexels.com

You would be surprised at how much food and flowers you can grow in a small space garden! Even if all you have is a windowsill you can grow! When you start thinking differently about the space you have you’ll begin to see all the possibilities. Once you seed the possibilities you’ll be able to grow a garden to its full potential!

This blog post may contain affiliate links. I may earn a small commission to fund my houseplant habit if you use these links to make a purchase. You will not be charged extra, and you’ll keep me in the garden. It’s a win for everyone, really.

  • Maximize Your Space

No matter the size of your outdoor space, there’s always room to grow food and flowers. Sketch out your space and what you would like for it to look like. Then make a list of what you would like to grow and what materials you’ll need. Check for container-friendly plants that won’t grow as large, but will still produce lots of fruit. Planning is the key to a good gardening season.

  • Install Drip Irrigation

Automating your watering will save you so much time and money. Drip irrigation waters your plants for however long you want and how often you want; it’s a garden game changer! To get you started, here is a basic drip irrigation system to reference.

  • Prune to Maintain Size

Because you are growing in a small space, you will want to make sure you are pruning to maintain the size of your plants. If you are growing indeterminate tomatoes or flowers like petunias, they can easily take over your garden space, so pruning is a must. Here are my favorite pruners.

To purchase reliable garden seeds and plants check out Park Seed!

  • Grow Vertically

Growing vegetables and flowers vertically is a great way to utilize your small space garden. Use hanging planters and trellises to grow off the ground.

Photo by Thắng Lê on Pexels.com
  • Utilize Hanging Baskets

Using shepherd’s hooks or hooks screwed into posts, you can hang many hanging baskets and grow a multitude of plants.

  • Grow in Raised Beds

Raised garden beds are a great way to grow in small spaces. They come in so many configurations, or you can build your own. Here is a raised garden bed that I love and use every year!

For tip on how to grow in raised beds checkout this post!

  • Grow in Pots

If all you have is a patio, then pots will be your best friend. You can grow flowers, vegetables, herbs, trees, and so much more in pots.

  • Plant Multiple Plants Together

What could be a better way to grow more than to plant multiple plants in the same pot?! You can mix and match plants like herbs and vegetables, or petunias and hydrangeas. Dealers choice!

Photo by Lisa on Pexels.com
  • Leave Space for Sitting

Don’t forget to leave space to sit and enjoy! The garden shouldn’t just be about work. It’s also about the view, so nestle in a little table and chair so you can sit amongst the jungle you’ve created.

  • Love Your Space

No matter how big or small your garden is, you have to love it. You’ve put your time and energy creating a space that is edible and beautiful. Take pride in what you create even if you only planted one plant or harvested one tomato.

Happy Gardening

Ciearra