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Helpful Hints about Flower Seeds and Bulbs 
_ The symbols used throughout the Flower Seed hB—Hardy Biennial. Biennials have a life span 
section of this book tell at a glance some important | of two years, though occasionally some _ persist 
facts about the plants that in turn provide a practi- longer. Seed sown during late spring or early 
cal key to the best time for sowing, summer (June-early August) grow into winter- 
cae hardy plants that bloom the following year. Canter- 
hA—Hardy Annual. Sow as early in the spring | bury Bells, Foxglove, and Hollyhocks are typical 
as soil conditions permit. The seeds as well as the | hardy biennials and so are Pansies. Pansies give 
small seedlings survive freezing temperatures. | best results if sown in August or early September. 
Larkspur, annual Poppies, and Centaurea cyanus | If sown early in spring they will bloom the same 
are typical hardy annuals. These three as well as | year. 
some 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. 
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. 
hhA—Half-Hardy Annual. These should be hhP—Half-Hardy Perennial. Sow these at the 
sown after danger of hard frost is past. A light | same time as hardy perennials but where winters 
frost will do no harm so long as the seedlings have | are very cold protect well to insure survival. Some 
not emerged from the soil. Gardeners frequently gardeners lift the plants and carry them over 
start these in the coldframe or in boxes indoors a | winter in the coldframe. 
month or more before the nights have become frost- ; ; 
free. Marigolds and Zinnias are typical half-hardy tP—Tender Perennial. Sow at almost any time 
annuals. of the year but since the plants are killed by frost 
and_ occasionally injured at temperatures below 
 “{A—Tender Annual. Sow these outdoors after | 40°F. they must be kept indoors during the cold. 
all danger of frost is past and preferably after the | Part of the year. 
soil has warmed up and the nights turned balmy. c2Climbers 
Moonflower and large-flowering Morning Glories Y 
are tender annuals. They are sown outdoors in late 
May or early June. Others, like Scarlet Sage, that 
@. 
These are very important and satis- , 
factory because they occupy little space and bear 
flowers so very abundantly. 
require a long growing season should be started} Cover seeds twice as deep as their smallest 
indoors as early as February for setting out after | diameter with fine soil and keep moderately moist 
the nights have lost their chill. 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 
4 later for every 100 miles to the north. Altitude change these factors still further but 
eee with the information given above every gardener should be able to work out a 
dependable guide for his conditions. 
Indoor Sowing and Planting Sow Outdoors after Danger of Frost 
January is not too early too start bulbs of This group comprises half-hardy annuals, some 
Amaryllis and Fancy-leaved Caladium, but Febru- | tender ones, and hardy annuals that germinate 
ary and early March are not too late, either. 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 
a tight coldframe Ageratum, Amaranthus, Asters, can be started now. Because cold wet soil may rot 
Salpiglossis, Snapdragon, and Thunbergia. certain seeds delay sowing Cardinal Climber, 
_ Early in April sow indoors or in the coldframe | Cypress Vine, Gourds, Moonflower, and large- 
Marigolds and Zinnias besides those given above flowered Morning Glories until the nights are balmy 
_ for cold frame sowing. in late May or early June. That also is the time 
. ee for outdoor planting of Begonia, Dahlia, Canna and 
3 Tuberose bulb. 
Early Outdoor Sowing 
Es eitine during March or carly Specials for May to September 
April when the surface is free from frost, although | _ Sow perennials seeds any time during May and 
ere may still be ahead many days of freezing | June to make strong plants before winter sets in. 
weather, Sprinkle seed of Shirley Poppies on the | Continue planting Gladiolus until early July. Sow 
‘Wet surface where plants are wanted to bloom. hardy biennials like Canterbury Bells, Foxglove, 
Wait until soil is sufficiently dry to open shallow | and Hollyhocks during July and August. Pansies 
_ furrows for sowing Bachelor’s Button, Calendula, | never are finer than from August sowing in a 
Calliopsis, Candytuft, Chrysanthemum, Cynoglos- | special seedbed or coldframe. During the forepart 
sum, Dianthus, Honesty, Marvel of Peru, Larkspur, | of September sow annual Larkspur where to remain 
_ Mignonette, Lupinus, Sweet Peas and perennials. | to flower especially well next year. 
’ 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 
ass 
