Starting Annuals In The Cold Frame

You can start frost sensitive annuals about a month earlier if you use a cold frame. We start by filling large hanging pots about half full of seed starting mix. We don't fill the pots to the top because there has to be some room for the plants to grow when the lids of the frames are closed. Later, we will separate them for use in the flower garden, and add some soil for those left in the hanging pots.

Petunia seeds are very small and don't need to be covered with soil, so it is a good idea to add the water first.

Today we are planting 3 colors of petunia, some snapdragons and verbena. As usual, labels are a must.

I am also experimenting with some candle flower seeds, which are usually grown from bulbs. These plants will need a few years of growth before they are mature enough to bloom and bring a bright spot of orange to the shade garden. These seeds are quite large and must be covered with soil to approximately their thickness.

The tiny annual seeds are just sprinkled over the soil without covering because they need light to germinate.

We put the pots in the cold frames between the remaining lettuce plants. The tops will be opened on sunny days and closed until the night temperatures remain above freezing.