March is here, and the sweet whiffs of spring are not far behind. Spring, when nature is abuzz with color and wildlife, you see flowers bloom all around. But to have that sort of spectacle in your garden, you need to sow some seeds right now. March is the perfect time to plant various annual and perennial flowers to have a lush garden from late spring into fall.
If you live in a cool climate, you can start these seeds indoors and transplant them once the soil warms up. If you live in a moderate climate where winter is just a wisp of yesterday, you can directly sow spring flower seeds out in the garden.
Even as someone who grows vegetables, you should definitely sow flower seeds to fill gaps in beds and borders. This will not only make your garden look vibrant, but these flowers, once bloomed, will attract essential wildlife, such as pollinators, that will help you achieve success in the garden. Therefore, for a verdant summer garden, here are the must-sow flower seeds to be planted early in March.
Cosmos
Cosmos are one of the easiest flowers to grow from seed. The splendid blooms, with a myriad of petal styles and colors, cosmos are easier to grow than most flowers as they are resilient and adaptable to most soil types and weather conditions. Once established, they are fairly drought-tolerant. Cosmos will bring butterflies, bees, and other precious pollinators to your garden.
How to Grow: You simply scatter the seeds across the seed-starting mix and lightly cover them with a thin layer of soil. Water the seeds lightly and keep them warm and moist. Once seedlings reach a few inches in height, you can thin them out. Transplant them in the ground a few days after the last frost and consistently water them until they are well-established.
Calendula
A beautiful and beneficial flower, calendula is also known as pot marigold. The versatile annual plant thrives in cold temperatures, blooming in the early summer and then springing back to life toward fall. With its daisy-like appearance and pleasant scent, calendulas attract pollinators. Moreover, these flowers are edible. They are medicinal and have been used to treat wounds and reduce inflammation throughout history. Orange Flash variety of calendula makes delicious healing tea.
How to Grow: You can directly sow calendula seeds in the spring or start indoors a few weeks before your estimated last frost date. You can scatter the seeds lightly across the soil and cover them with a thin layer of soil. Water lightly and keep moist till germination.
Also Read: Raised Garden Beds Transforming Your Outdoor Space With Easy and Flexible Growing
Sweet Alyssum
Sweet alyssum is a beautiful, pollinator-favorite plant with frothy white flowers. The plant is perfect as an edging plant or a hanging plant. Its low-mounded growth makes it a dreamy plant to be grown in containers. The plant is quick to grow from seed. Although sensitive to high heat, it is the perfect time to sow in March.
How to Grow: Spread the seeds atop moist potting mix and cover with a thin layer of soil or compost. Place in warm spot. After the last frost date has passed, you can harden the seedlings and plant them in the ground.
Petunias
Petunias are a favorite for gardeners and pollinators alike. These flowers need to be sown early in the season to increase their flowering time, which is from late spring till the first frosts in fall. You can sow the seeds in March, letting them be ready by the time your estimated last frost date has passed. These flowers come in a wide variety of colors and shapes, making them a beautiful addition to your garden.
How to Grow: Thinly spread the seeds across the moist potting mix. Then, spray with water and place in a warm spot. Keep the soil moist till germination. Once the saplings are big enough and the last frost has passed, you can transplant them into the garden.
Zinnias
Zinnias are one of the easiest and least maintenance-requiring plants you can possibly grow in your garden. Loved by pollinators, zinnias are a cut-and-come-again plant, where the more flowers you cut from the plant, the more blooms it develops. They make wonderful bouquets and are perfect for a verdant summer garden.
How to Grow: You can sow zinnias directly in the ground in spring once the danger of frost has passed. For sooner and more blooms, you can start seeds indoors four to six weeks before your last frost date. Once the weather warms up, you can plant them outside and enjoy beautiful flowers for months.
If you want a beautiful summer garden, lush with colorful flowers and abuzz with wildlife, you should plant these five flowers in March. This way, by the spring comes, you will have well-developed plants that can be transplanted outside and start producing flowers.
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