Looking for a fun, easy way to involve the kids in the garden? Here, DIY horticulturist Jessie Mack Burns shares kid-friendly ideas for seed planting with a great gardening Quick Tip.There are a number of annual flower varieties that can you and the kids can seed directly in the garden, Burns explains. Sunflowers, cleome, cosmos and zinnias are all good choices for direct seeding.
Before getting started, wait until after the last frost in your area. Select a site with full sun and good drainage for best results. Prepare the soil with a hoe and clear the area of all weeds and grass.
Next, break the soil to about 2 inches deep; unless the soil is very firmly compacted, this depth will be sufficient.
Then rake the area so that the soil is smooth and finely textured. Plant the seeds following the package guidelines on spacing and planting depth recommended.
Mist with water thoroughly but make sure not to uncover seeds. Keep the planting site moist to ensure germination.
Zinnias and cleome will sprout in 7 to 10 days and the first blooms will appear in six to eight weeks. Both are great cutting flowers and will continue to bloom until fall. And remember: although many of these plants may be available in the nursery, direct seeding is likely to provide superior results!
