First Flowers to Start in Winter

Some flowers need a little extra time to reach their full potential. Ideally these flowers are started mid winter, approximately 8-12 weeks ahead of your last spring frost. Getting them started indoors allows them to reach maturity during our shorter growing seasons. 

For a complete list of when different flowers should be started, please consult our Flower Garden Growing Guide.

Which Flowers Should Be Started Earliest?

Foxglove

• Start seeds 10-12 weeks before last expected frost date.
  
• Seed Spacing: 1-2 seeds per cell or every 2 inches in a bulk tray.
  
• Seed Depth: Lightly press the tiny seeds onto the surface. Seeds require light to germinate.
  
• Heat Mat: No – Foxglove seeds germinate best at 15-20°C.
  
• Thin to 1 plant per cell / 1 plant every two inches.
  
• Foxglove is a biennial/perennial; before transplanting, harden off plants for at least 10 days. Transplant out after all risk of frost has passed.

Hibiscus

• Start seeds 8-10 weeks before last expected frost date.
  
• Seed Spacing: 1-2 seeds per cell or every 2 inches in a bulk tray.
  
• Seed Depth: 1/8 inch deep & tamp down for good soil contact.
  
• Heat Mat: YES – Hibiscus seeds germinate best at 21-27°C. Remove heat mat after germination.
  
• Thin to 1 plant per cell / 1 plant every two inches.
  
• Hibiscus is a tender annual/perennial (depending on the variety); before transplanting, harden off plants for at least 10 days. Transplant out after all risk of frost has passed.

Lavender

• Start seeds 8-12 weeks before last expected frost date. Placing the seed packet in the fridge for 2 weeks prior to seeding can improve germination.
  
• Seed Spacing: 1-2 seeds per cell or every 2 inches in a bulk tray.
  
• Seed Depth: Lightly press the tiny seeds onto the surface. Seeds require light to germinate.
  
• Heat Mat: EITHER– Lavender seeds germinate best at 15-25°C.
  
• Thin to 1 plant per cell / 1 plant every two inches.
  
• Lavender is a hardy perennial; before transplanting, harden off plants for at least 10 days. Transplant out after all risk of frost has passed.

Salpiglossis

• Start seeds 10-12 weeks before last expected frost date.
  
• Seed Spacing: 1-2 seeds per cell or every 2 inches in a bulk tray.
  
• Seed Depth: Lightly press the tiny seeds onto the surface. Seeds require light to germinate.
  
• Heat Mat: YES – Salpiglossis seeds germinate best at 21-25°C. Remove heat mat after germination.
  
• Thin to 1 plant per cell / 1 plant every two inches.
  
• Salpiglossis is an annual; before transplanting, harden off plants for at least 10 days. Transplant out after all risk of frost has passed.

Snapdragon

• Start seeds 8-10 weeks before last expected frost date.
  
• Seed Spacing: 1-2 seeds per cell or every 2 inches in a bulk tray.
  
• Seed Depth: Lightly press the tiny seeds onto the surface. Seeds require light to germinate.
  
• Heat Mat: NO– Snapdragon seeds germinate best at 18-20°C.
  
• Thin to 1 plant per cell / 1 plant every two inches.
  
• Snapdragon is an annual; before transplanting, harden off plants for at least 10 days. Transplant out after all risk of frost has passed.

Yarrow

• Start seeds 8-10 weeks before last expected frost date.
  
• Seed Spacing: 1-2 seeds per cell or every 2 inches in a bulk tray.
  
• Seed Depth: Lightly press the tiny seeds onto the surface. Seeds require light to germinate..
  
• Heat Mat: NO – Yarrow seeds germinate best at 15-20°C.
  
• Thin to 1 plant per cell / 1 plant every two inches.
  
• Yarrow is a hardy perennial; before transplanting, harden off plants for at least 10 days. Transplant out after all risk of frost has passed.

Caring For Transplants

You’ll have these young transplants with you for a few months. Grow lights, a heated greenhouse or nice sunny windows are a must. We recommend turning trays every few days to prevent legginess if in a window. 

To nourish your transplants, we recommend watering with a liquid fertilizer every few weeks. We use an all natural liquid seaweed emulsion. Remember, when using any fertilizer on baby plants, use it at ½ the recommended strength, avoid the leaves & water in the evening.

For more information on hardening off & transplanting into the garden, read our article Caring For & Planting Transplants.