3 Seeds to Direct Sow in Fall for Spring Flowers

So you're itching to jump into fall planting but you're a little late to the game? If you missed the window to start or order transplants, I’ve got you covered!

There are a handful of hardy annuals that actually do BEST when sown directly into the field as opposed to starting indoors. By taking advantage of direct sowing, you can likely fall plant a few flowers to get that jump start on spring. 

Before we get to the 3 flowers you can direct sow in the fall, let's cover the basics. 

Direct Sow vs Transplants

If you're new to gardening you might be wondering what I'm talking about. What is direct sowing? What are transplants? To put it simply: 

- Direct Sow means that you're putting a seed right into the ground, outdoors. The plant will spend its entire life cycle in the same place. 

- Transplants are started indoors, usually under grow lights, about 6 weeks prior to planting outside. The plant will start out in a seed or plug tray with potting mix. When it's time to plant, the seedling will be removed from the tray and planted into the ground outside. (Check out my post all about starting seeds indoors!)

Plants can be really picky about how they're started, so you'll want to be familiar with the ideal method for each and every plant you grow. You can often find this information on the back of a seed packet! I make notes on my seed starting spreadsheet so I can easily refer to that information each year when it's time to start seeds. (If you're a member of my coaching program you have access to this very spreadsheet so be sure to check that for reference!)

How to Direct Sow

Now that we've got the "what" straightened out, let's turn our attention to the "how". The direct sow method really is the easiest and most intuitive method of planting seeds.

Start with a freshly prepared garden bed; ideally the soil will be freshly tilled and free of rocks, clumps and large debris. Check the seed packet for the ideal spacing and depth, then create divots or rows in the soil in which to place the seeds. Once they're in the ground, you'll likely need to cover with a light layer of soil, but make sure to check the requirements as some seeds don't like to be covered and require light to germinate. In this case, simply press the seed gently to ensure good contact with the soil. The last step is watering. Be cautious with the hose; a lot of seeds are tiny and will easily wash away. Give them a nice gentle soak and you're all done. Don't forget to water the seeds regularly as they emerge and get established.

When to Plant

As I mentioned, there are many flowering plants that benefit from direct sowing, but another consideration is when to plant them. Depending on your zone, fall planting might be possible while others may need to wait for spring. Be sure to check the hardiness of the plant (again, you'll often find this on the seed packet) and do a little research and experimentation of your own; many seeds that I sow in fall are not recommended to plant until spring but, as it turns out, thrive on a cool period to establish. 

You'll want to be sure of your zone (check the US hardiness map here) and know your average first and last frost dates. Using this information, work back from the frost dates based on the planting information. Most hardy annual seeds should be sown 6-8 weeks before your average first frost in the fall (for me the frost date is mid-October, so I plant early September) or 6-8 weeks before your last average frost in the spring. 

Procting Your Plants

The last consideration I want to mention is protection for your plants. Most hardy annuals require a little protection from the elements in my zone. I rely on fabric frost cloth, wire hoops and sand bags (filled with dirt) to cover plants during the coldest months of winter. Be sure to remove any row covers ahead of snow or freezing rain; these light row covers cannot sustain weight and will smash your plants. The snow actually acts as an insulator, so remove those covers ahead of snow and let it create a cozy blanket for your plants. 

So you're ready to plant? Let's get to it! 

3 Flowers to Direct Sow in Fall for Spring Flowers

This isn't a complete list of flowers that can be direct sown, but they're top of my list here at Hidden Springs and I recommend adding them to your cut flower lineup! 

Larkspur

Nigella