Seeds 

Growing Flowers From Seeds Having a nice garden doesn’t have to be expensive.  Planting seeds is, by far, the cheapest way to grow the flowers or plants that you love.  To start, all a person has to do is buy the first package of seeds that they would like to grow.   

PREPARE FLOWERBED
A well-drained, fertile flowerbed, free of weeds is a good place to start when planting a garden from seeds.  Once the flowerbed is ready the rest is easy.  Always follow the planting directions on the packages for best results.   

CHOICES
There are choices a person can make once the flowers bloom.  They can be used in a cut flower arrangement, or some can be used for dry flower arrangements.  The flowers can be cut from the plant when they begin to wither.  This should urge the plant into producing more flower blooms.  Or, if the plan is to save some seeds to plant the next year, be sure to leave some flowers on the plant until it produces seeds.   

FINDING FLOWER SEEDS, AND EXAMPLES
Seeds on both annuals and perennials flowers often form in the center or base of the flower blooms, after the petals have withered away.  For example, one Black-eyed-Susan will have many small, very dark seeds that will mature within the dark brown center of the bloom.  Another example is the 4 O’clock flower, which will form one seed at the base of a flower bloom.  Yet another example is poppy flowers.  One poppy seed-pod will form at the base of the flower.  This pod will easily break open revealing many small dark seeds inside.  

COLLECTING THE SEEDS
Collecting ripened seeds that the plants produce is easy.  Collect the seeds one plant at a time and label.  Do this before the plants drop the seeds and before the first frost.  We often write the names, color and date of the plants on a paper plate.  Then we spread the seeds out on the plate in a single or thin layer cleaning out other plant particles.  Let the seeds dry thoroughly to prevent molding.  Once dried, they are ready to be stored for the winter. 

STORING SEEDS
Storing the seeds in labeled envelopes will be efficient.  Keep the seeds dry in cool area for the winter.  They can be kept in the refrigerator if necessary, or in an unheated room or shed as long as the seeds do not freeze.  In following spring, after the last freeze, sow them as desired. 

Tip:
In warmer climates, many annuals will act like perennials.  They will reproduce freely without the need to collect seeds.  This does not guarantee however, that the flowers will do this every year.
 

Note:  Products may sell out and prices may change without notice. Prices are US Dollars.

Nature Hills Nursery

Extreme Flower Mix 20 grams seeds $4.49

The Xeriscape Extreme flower mix is a collection of extremely adaptable, drought tolerant, hardy and beautiful varieties for the waterwise gardener. The twenty annuals and perennials have a range of bloom times from spring through fall. Their palette of colors range from soft white to bright yellows to cool blues. Xeriscape means water-efficient landscaping. Xeriscape promotes environmentally sound gardening techniques to conserve water and reduce maintenance while producing beautiful landscapes with year-round appeal. Some of the varieties included are Birds Eyes, Blanketflower, Blue Flax, California Poppy, Cosmos Sulphur, African Daisy, Gazania, Mexican Hat, and Phlox Mountain.