Use the following chart as a reference on when to start your annuals from seed. You can sow seven days on either side of date noted.
Name | When to Sow Indoors | Days to Germination and Temperature | Light and Notes |
Ageratum | March 24 | 7 @ 27°C | light |
Alyssum | April 6 | 5 @ 24°C | light, self sows outdoors after one year |
Aster | April 6 | 12 @ 21°C | any, pinch back in June |
Begonia | February 24 | 15 @ 24°C | light |
Calendula | April 6 | 14 @ 21°C | dark, self sows |
Candytuft | April 6 | 12 @ 24°C | any |
Celosia | April 13 | 14 @ 21°C | any, resents chilling, use warm water |
Clarkia | cold tolerant, direct seed June 8-20 | ||
Cleome | April 6 | 10 @ 24°C | any, self sows |
Coleus | March 24 | 10 @ 21°C | light, use warm water, pinch at 8″ tall |
Cornflower | April 6 | 7 @ 21°C | any, use peat pots or direct sow June 8-20 |
Cosmos | April 6 | 10 @ 24°C | light, self sows |
Four-o-clock’s | April 6 | 12 @ 24°C | any |
Geranium | February 24 | 14 @ 24°C | any, soak seeds or pre-sprout |
Godetia | cold tolerant, direct seed June 8-20 | ||
Gomphrena | March 31 | 15 @ 27°C | dark |
Helichrysum | April 6 | 10 @ 21°C | light |
Heliotrope | March 10 | 20 @ 21°C | any |
Hollyhock | March 24 | 10 @ 21°C | any, self sows |
Impatiens | March 10 | 15 @ 24°C | light, watch damping off, needs air circulation |
Larkspur | cold tolerant, direct seed June 8-20 | ||
Lavatera | March 24 | 20 @ 21°C | any, sow in peat pots |
Lobelia | March 24 | 21 @ 24°C | light |
Marigold | April 6 | 7 @ 24°C | any, protect seedlings from slugs |
Morning Glory | April 27 | 7 @ 24°C | any, soak seeds, use peat pots and put out June 15 or direct sow |
Nasturtium | April 27 | 10 @ 24°C | dark |
Nicotiana | March 24 | 10 @ 21°C | light, self sows |
Pansy | March 10 | 14 @ 21°C | dark, cold tolerant |
Petunia | March 10 | 7 @ 27°C | light |
Poppy | cold tolerant, direct seed June 8-20 | ||
Portulaca | March 31 | 10 @ 27°C | light, self sows |
Salvia | March 24 | 12 @ 21°C | light |
Snapdragon | March 24 | 8 @ 24°C | light, cold tolerant, self sows |
Stocks | April 6 | 10 @ 18°C | light |
Sweet Peas | April 27 | 10 @ 18°C | any, soak seeds or pre-sprout |
Verbena | March 24 | 12 @ 21°C | dark |
Vinca | April 6 | 8 @ 24°C | any |
Zinnia | April 6 | 5 @ 21°C | any |