The symbols used throughout the Flower Seed 
section of this book tell at a glance some important 
facts about the plants that in turn provide a practi- 
cal key to the best time for sowing. 
hA—Hardy Annual. Sow as early in the spring 
as soil conditions permit. The seeds as well as the 
small seedlings survive freezing temperatures. 
Larkspur, annual Poppies, and Centaurea cyanus 
are typical hardy annuals. These three as well as 
~syme others can be sown in September because 
even larger seedlings are winter hardy. Sown just 
before winter arrives the seeds remain dormant 
until late winter to germinate before the earliest 
chance for outdoor sowing. 
hhA—Haif-Hardy Annual. These should be 
sown after danger of hard frost is past. A light 
frost will do no harm so long as the seedlings have 
not emerged from the soil. Gardeners frequently 
start these in the coldframe or in boxes indoors a 
month or more before the nights have become frost- 
free. Marigolds and Zinnias are typical half-hardy 
‘annuals. 
tA—Tender Annual. Sow these outdoors after 
all danger of frost is past and preferably after the 
soil has warmed up and the nights turned balmy. 
Moonfiower and large-flowering Morning Glories 
are tender annuals. They are sown outdoors in late 
May or early June. Others, like Scarlet Sage, that 
require a long growing season should be started 
indoors as early as February for setting out after 
the nights have lost their chill. 
Helpful Hints about Flower Seeds and Bulbs 
hB—Hardy Biennial. Biennials have a life span 
of two years, though occasionally some persist 
longer. Seed sown during late spring or early 
summer (June-early August) grow into winter- 
hardy plants that bloom the following year. Canter- 
bury Bells, Foxglove, and Hollyhocks are typical 
hardy biennials and so are Pansies. Pansies give 
best results if sown in August or early September. 
If sown early in spring they will bloom the same 
year. 
hP—Hardy Perennial. Perennials live from sev- 
eral to many years and can endure severe freezing 
temperatures if planted in well-drained soil. Sow 
them any time from early spring until the end of 
June. Quick-growing kinds may be sown even later. 
hhP—Half-Hardy Perennial. Sow these at the 
same time as hardy perennials but where winters 
are very cold protect well to insure survival. Some 
gardeners lift the plants and carry them over 
winter in the coldframe. 
tP—Tender Perennial. Sow at almost any time 
of the year but since the plants are killed by frost 
and occasionally injured at temperatures below 
40°F. they must be kept indoors during the cold 
part of the year. 
C-Climbers. These are very important and satis- 
factory because they occupy little space and bear 
flowers so very abundantly. 
Cover seeds twice as deep as their smallest 
diameter with fine soil and keep moderately moist 
to insure satisfactory germination. 
Sowing and Planting Calendar 
This schedule applies to sections comparable to Philadelphia conditions. Spring 
operations roughly advance one week for every 100 miles southward and are a week 
later for every 100 miles to the north. Altitude change these factors still further but 
with the information given above every gardener should be able to work out a 
dependable guide for his conditions. 
Indoor Sowing and Planting 
January is not too early too start bulbs of 
Amaryllis and Fancy-leaved Caladium, but Febru- 
ary and early March are not too late, either. 
‘Early in March sow indoors Scarlet Sage and 
Verbena. By the middle of the month sow Bedding 
Begonias, Coleus, Dahlia seed, Giant Petunias, and 
Double Petunias. Also start Begonia, Canna, and 
Gloxinia bulbs indoors. Sow either indoors or in 
a tight coldframe Ageratum, Amaranthus, Asters, 
Salpiglossis, Snapdragon, and Thunbergia. 
Karly in April sow indoors or in the coldframe 
Marigolds and Zinnias besides those given above 
for cold frame sowing. 
Early Outdoor Sowing 
These are made any time during March or early 
April when the surface is free from frost, although 
_ there may still be ahead many days of freezing 
weather. Sprinkle seed of Shirley Poppies on the 
_ wet surface where plants are wanted to bloom. 
Wait until soil is sufficiently dry to open shallow 
_ furrows for sowing Bachelor’s Button, Calendula, 
Calliopsis, Candytuft, Chrysanthemum, Cynoglos- 
Sum, Dianthus, Honesty, Marvel of Peru, Larkspur, 
Mignonette, Lupinus, Sweet Peas and perennials. 
Sow Outdoors after Danger of Frost 
This group comprises half-hardy annuals, some 
tender ones, and hardy annuals that germinate 
better in warmer soil. They are: Ageratum, 
Amaranthus, Asters, Balsam, Carnations, Celosia, 
Cosmos, Golden African Daisy, Helianthus, Lobelia, 
Marigolds, Nasturtium, Nicotiana, Bedding Pe- 
tunias, Phlox, Portulaca, Salpiglossis, Scabiosa, 
Snapdragon, Strawflower, Thunbergia, Verbena, and 
Zinnias. All perennial seeds and Gladiolus bulbs 
can be started now. Because cold wet soil may rot 
certain seeds delay sowing Cardinal Climber, 
Cypress Vine, Gourds, Moonflower, and large- 
flowered Morning Glories until the nights are balmy 
in late May or early June. That also is the time 
for outdoor planting of Begonia, Dahlia, Canna and 
Tuberose bulb. 
Specials for May to September 
Sow perennials seeds any time during May and 
June to make strong plants before winter sets in. 
Continue planting Gladiolus until early July. Sow 
hardy biennials like Canterbury Bells, Foxglove, 
and Hollyhocks during July and August. Pansies 
never are finer than from August sowing in a 
special seedbed or coldframe. During the forepart 
of September sow annual Larkspur where to remain 
to flower especially well next year. 
