Starting flowers from seed doesn’t have to be complicated or intimidating—in fact, it can be one of the most rewarding parts of gardening! This guide is designed to make the process stress-free, focusing on a handful of easy-to-grow flowers (and herbs) that will give you a little practice in different sowing methods, from direct sowing to starting indoors and even succession planting. The best part? These blooms are not only beginner-friendly but will also reward you with seeds for next season—either by self-sowing or by being easy to collect. So grab your seeds, take a deep breath, and get growing!
*BONUS: All flowers and herbs listed can be dried to preserve their beauty or benefit from their medicinal properties.
Everything here is edible so there is no need to worry about your curious pets!
Tip: You'll want to view this on your desktop so the rows line-up correctly
Spring | How |
Dill Bachelor Buttons Nigella Calendula Rudbeckia, Indian Summer Yarrow | DS DS DS DS Start Indoors Start Indoors |
Summer/Fall | How |
Zinnia Sunflowers (Branching) Cosmos Marigold Basil (Lemon or Cinnamon) Plume Celosia Gomphrena | DS - two successions, 3-6 weeks apart DS - two successions, 3-6 weeks apart DS - two successions, 3-6 weeks apart DS DS Start Indoors Start Indoors |
For any garden, you want workable soil (hard clay won’t give you good results). You can use raised beds or amend the soil you have with compost. Either way, you want a grass free space - weeds will happen but by disturbing the soil as little as possible and using tight spacing, you’ll find less weed pressure year after year. Tip: Avoid synthetic fertilizers (like Miracle Grow) - these actually degrade soil health and create a chemical dependency for your plants.
Methods (the How) | |
Direct Sowing (DS) Start Indoors | Gently rake to loosen the soil, sprinkle your seeds, and using your hand or the rake, work them into the soil. Planting depth should be roughly twice the width of the seed (don't over scrutinize this). I recommend over-sowing (using too many seeds). I do this intentionally to make sure they grow and thin them out later to about 9 inch spacing. I like to wait for a rainy forecast and sow seeds just before. If rain isn’t in the forecast, it’s important to keep them moist until germination occurs.
Spring: 8-12 weeks prior to last frost
Summer: Once soil has warmed to 60°F, wait until a week or two after your last frost
Fall: Sow more seeds 3-6 weeks after your first planting to continue the harvest! You can mix up the colors to match the season. Use the same location as your Spring Annuals (Dill, BB, Nigella, Calendula), they’ll have petered out by now.
You’ll need a seed starting tray, soil, and grow lights. Bonus points if you have a seed starting mat, but as long as your space is 65-75°F, it’s not necessary.
Germination rates can vary but sowing 2-3 seeds per cell should be a safe bet that one of them will grow. You can always thin them out (and should) once they’ve gained some height. Planting depth should be roughly twice the width of the seed.
They’ll need water daily (sometimes twice) and this is the step that most beginners mess up. It’s easy to over water or underwater. You’re aiming for moist, not wet. If you see green start to form on top of the soil, that’s moss or algae - it won’t hurt your plants but it’s a sign they’ve had too much water - let them dry out a little more between watering.
Keep the lights on 12-14 hours a day, about 2-4 inches above the tops of the plants to avoid leggy stems. A timer is worth the investment.
They are ready to transplant once they have two sets of true leaves (the first set you see is called the cotyledons...those don’t count). Once ready, you’ll want to take a week to harden off the plants. You’re giving them a slow introduction to the outside world (do not skip this step!). Start with a few hours outdoors in indirect light and add a couple hours each day, slowly moving to direct sun after a few days. Your plants will look sad if you’re exposing them too fast so be sure to keep an eye on them. I’ve lost many plants to wind gusts so try to find a sheltered space where they won’t blow away! After a week, plant them in the garden and give them a good drink.
Spring: Start seeds 10-12 weeks prior to last frost, transplant when ready - these flowers can handle the cold and will perennialize
Summer: Start seeds 6-8 weeks prior to last frost and they’ll be ready to transplant once the soil has warmed to 60°F
Fall: Not needed - your Celosia and Gomphrena will give you a show until frost if you keep cutting! |
Now for the most important step: cut those flowers!
You’ll have enough for yourself and to share, plus it keeps them blooming. If you don’t cut the flowers, they’ll go to seed and won’t last the whole season.
Wondering where to buy the seeds? My favorite resource is Johnny's Selected Seeds - they'll have everything on this list!
Happy Planting!
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