How Often Do You Plant Annual Flowers?

Starting Seeds Inside

• Starting annual flowers inside in late winter or early spring allows you to transplant seedlings to the garden in the spring. Start seeds 6 to 8 weeks before the last expected frost in your area, unless otherwise noted on the seed packet. Individual peat pots or peat pellets may be used, but you can start seeds on shallow flats filled with seed starter, as well. Plant according to the instructions on the seed packet, cover with plastic wrap and place the seeds in a warm location to germinate. Move to a sunny window once seeds sprout. Keep soil moist, as young seedlings perish quickly without adequate water.

Seedlings

• Plant your seedlings, or those purchased at the nursery, in the garden once the danger of frost has passed in your area. Water thoroughly to moisten the soil to root level. Keep the area moist until signs of new growth appear. Reduce water to once or twice a week or whenever the soil feels dry 1 inch below the surface of the soil. Nursery-grown seedlings typically bloom from planting time until frost.

Direct Sowing

• Directly sow annual seeds in the garden once the danger of frost has passed in your area. Follow the planting directions on the back of the seed packet. Keep the area moist until seeds germinate and reach a height of an inch or two. Young seedlings whither and die quickly if they do not have enough water. Many annuals grow rapidly, producing blooms within 30 days. Planting annual seeds directly in the garden can bring midsummer color.

Fall Annuals

• Add new color to your landscape by planting fall annuals in late summer or early fall. Asters, mums and dahlias are often sold in pots at this time. Although some mums are perennials, those sold in pots in early fall often do not survive to another year. Transplant the seedlings to your garden to revitalize areas where summer annuals are declining or perennials are past their prime.