Despite having a deep passion for gardening and garden work, I hate starting flower seeds indoors and transplanting them later. It takes too long, and getting the seedlings out of their containers can sometimes be very messy and frustrating.
I’d choose direct sowing over indoor seed starting any day! To me, it’s just a quicker and more efficient way to go about it.
In today’s article, I’m going to take you through a specially curated list of flowers that can be sown directly into the ground in spring to achieve easy color in the garden.
Let’s jump straight into it, shall we?
Why Direct Sowing Works? (Especially In Spring)
Well, like I said, direct sowing is much simpler and straightforward compared to other sowing methods.
It’s beginner-friendly, low-cost, and perfect for gardeners who don’t have access to a lot of space or grow lights.
Out of all the seasons, spring typically works best for direct sowing because it gives seeds a natural head start. All the flowers we’re going to discuss today can be sown after the last frost and will bloom within the same season.
Easy-Grow Flowers You Can Direct Sow This Spring
1: Zinnias
Zinnia seeds take about 5-7 days to fully germinate. They’re ideal for planting in full-sun conditions, garden beds, or small to medium-sized containers, blooming in about 6-8 weeks after sowing.
You can achieve nonstop zinnia blooms with deadheading, and they’re both heat-tolerant as well as beginner-friendly.
2: Cosmos
The germination time for cosmos seeds is around 7-10 days, and they typically develop and bloom 7-9 weeks after sowing. This flower is best for poor soil conditions, full sun, and the back of garden borders.
Cosmos are incredibly low-maintenance, reblooming continuously and even reseeding themselves naturally for future growth.
3: Sunflowers
Sunflowers too take about 7-10 days to germinate, but bloom a good 6-8 weeks after sowing. They thrive in full sun, garden beds, and along fences.
Sunflowers can be an excellent planting choice if you wish to draw in more pollinators to your garden, but make sure you choose branching types for multiple blooms.
4: Calendula
The average germination time for calendula seeds is between 6-12 days, with bloom time being 6-7 weeks after sowing. They’re best for cooler weather, raised beds, or container planting.
Apart from blooming earlier than most flowers and having the ability to tolerate light frost, calendulas also offer edible petals that you can add to sweet and savory dishes when needed.
5: Nasturtiums
The average germination time for nasturtium seeds is around 7-14 days, and they take a long 8-10 weeks to fully start blooming. They’re ideal for edging beds, hanging baskets, or climbing supports.
Nasturtiums also offer edible leaves and flowers, and attract aphids away from other plants.
6: Marigolds
Marigold seeds germinate in as little as 4-7 days, and you’ll find flowers up and blooming 6-8 weeks after sowing. This vibrant annual prefers full sun and can grow best in veggie gardens and flower beds.
As some of you may already know, marigolds have this special ability to deter pests and bloom continuously with minimal care.
7: Bachelor’s Buttons (Cornflower)
Bachelor’s buttons, or cornflowers, germinate fully in about 7-10 days, typically blooming 8-10 weeks after sowing. These flowers grow optimally under full sun and are best for borders and meadows.
Bachelor’s buttons make for great cut flowers, and they thrive in poor soil and cool spring weather.
8: California Poppies
The total germination time for California poppies can be 10-15 days. They bloom 7-9 weeks after sowing and are best for dry or rocky areas, ideally with full sun exposure.
California poppies are particularly praised for their drought tolerance and ability to reseed easily.
9: Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia)
Like California poppies, black-eyed Susans also have a germination period between 10-14 days, blooming roughly 10-12 weeks after sowing. They can be an excellent addition to wildflower gardens and borders, as long as they’re given full sun.
Black-eyed Susans bloom for a long time and attract pollinators and birds like no other.
10: Love-In-A-Mist (Nigella)
Nigella seeds germinate in 8-14 days and can be seen blooming 8-10 weeks after sowing. They’re best for cottage gardens and cut flower beds with plenty of sunlight.
These annuals also offer beautiful seed pods for dried arrangements.
11: Tithonia (Mexican Sunflower)
The germination period for tithonias is relatively short at 7-10 days, with blooms coming in 8-10 weeks after sowing. These flowers are best for hot, dry areas with full sun.
Tithonias can be a solid choice if you only have poor soil to work with. They’re also useful for attracting butterflies and hummingbirds to the garden.
After They Sprout – How To Keep The Blooms Coming?
Let’s Conclude
A very popular quote from Aristotle reminds us that “The purpose of gathering knowledge is to take action”. Meaning, without action, knowledge serves no purpose.
Now, it’s time for you to take action and sow flowers of your choice from the options above in your own garden. Good luck!
