Start These Annual Flowers in Winter for Stunning Summer Blooms
Starting annual flowers early can give gardeners a head start on vibrant summer blooms. Experts recommend sowing certain species as early as January or February, provided the right conditions are met. Proper lighting, temperature control, and careful handling are key to raising strong seedlings.
Alla Drapun, a gardening specialist from the Ogorod.ru channel, suggests sowing petunias, lobelia, and verbena in late winter. Other suitable plants include pelargonium, salvia, and sweet peas, along with asters, delphiniums, and fragrant levkoy. Evergreen begonias, lisianthus, and chabo pinks also thrive when sown early.
Seeds should be placed on the soil surface and lightly covered with a lid or plastic wrap. The ideal temperature for germination ranges from 20–24°C (68–75°F). Once sprouts emerge, containers must be moved under a grow light for 12–14 hours daily, with the lamp positioned 10–15 cm (4–6 inches) above the seedlings. Watering requires care—use a syringe or pour along the container’s edge to avoid disturbing delicate sprouts. Ventilation should begin gradually after germination. Begonias and lisianthus are ready for transplanting only after developing 2–3 true leaves. By April or May, seedlings can be hardened off outdoors, but only when nighttime temperatures remain above freezing. Without sufficient light, young plants will stretch weakly and eventually perish.
Early sowing allows gardeners to enjoy longer blooming periods for slow-growing annuals. Success depends on maintaining steady warmth, ample light, and gentle watering. Once hardened off, these seedlings will be ready for spring planting and summer colour.
