Seeds?

[Marie]

OK so i bought seeds for the plants that I need to finish off my first flower bed. Do i need to go through all the trouble of planting them inside etc or just put the seeds in the ground?

[Marie]

Anyone?

[JennyM]

you can germinate them in a wet papertowel and baggie first and then plant them. That way they have already started rooting.

[lexidoodle]

Agree with Jenny. You could just throw them in the ground but it depends on what kind of flowers and how long of a growing season you have.

I like instant satisfaction, so I rarely go with seeds unless they are for Cosmos or fast growing annuals.

Are you planting annuals or perennials?

[Marie]

Most are perennials.

How long should I allow for the germinating ? I'm also leery about having anything in the house cause my cats bug all the plants I have inside the house so unless I can put them on top of my desk, they will get chewed on.

[JennyM]

but them in the plastic bag (with wet papertowel) till the seed crack open and you see a root.
I understand about the cats....but mine usually don't mess with the plastic baggies I have on counters.

[JennyM]

edit button...put

[Marie]

Oh ok! How long does it take? I'm assuming not too long. And then I delicately put them in the ground?

[JennyM]

depends on the plant...some 2 days, some 2 weeks....it all depends, just check them daily.

[Marie]

Ok got it. I am so afraid this is going to look horrible.

[JennyM]

why? Its really easy. You can do it.

[Marie]

Well I planted my tulips a while back. I'm just afraid that it will look horrible or not grow or what not..aaaaaahhh!!

[JennyM]

I can't have plants at the house so I keep them at work...I love them, I've adopted some.

They call me the plant lady here...I bring everything back to life...ha ha
The pics come off my iphone so they look blue...I don't know how to fix it.

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd172/Jennyslab/plants2.jpg
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd172/Jennyslab/plant.jpg

[Marie]

gosh you need to come here and revive my bonzai..although i think it's too late. I'm going to try anyways.

I kill everything!! Well plants, my animals are fine. You would think i could take care of plants too!

[Laura]

Marie - You should start those seeds inside. It's kind of a hassle, which is why I don't do it anymore. Although I might try it this year in my basement because I have an area that gets decent light and then I can put some other lights on them. Try Jenny's method, that might be an easy way to do it.

I found some links:

http://www.humeseeds.com/indoor.htm

http://www.gardenguides.com/how-to/tipstechniques/offseason/starting.asp

Good luck!

[JennyM]

There is this woman at work that says she kills everything....The perfect plant is an ivy...those things die and comeback ALL the time....so I started her on a wandering jew (the purple and green one on the end)....those are beautiful and colorful and now she turned 4 stems into 2 huge blooming plants....and now she finally believes that she won't kill everything.

[Marie]

Thanks Laura, I will read those this weekend!