5 Effortless Flowers to Grow From Seed This Spring

A packet of flower seeds costs a few dollars and can fill a whole bed with color. The trick is picking varieties that sprout quickly and forgive beginner pitfalls, so you see success within weeks instead of months.

These five flowers all grow well from direct sowing in the garden, bloom within roughly two to three months, and attract pollinators. You will find sowing depth, spacing, and timing for each one below.

1. Zinnias

Zinnias are about as reliable as flowers get. Sow seeds a quarter inch deep after your last frost, once the soil is snug, usually 60 degrees F or above. Space them 6 to 12 inches apart depending on the variety. Seedlings appear in 4 to 7 days and blooms start in about 60 days.

Tip: Water the soil, not the leaves. Wet foliage encourages powdery mildew, which is the zinnia's main weakness. Cutting flowers regularly makes plants branch and bloom more.

2. Marigolds

French marigolds are little and cheerful, and they tolerate heat and uneven watering. Press seeds about a quarter inch into the soil and thin to 8 to 10 inches apart. They sprout in under a week and bloom in 8 weeks or so. Deadhead spent flowers by pinching them off to keep new buds coming.

• Full sun gives the most flowers.
• Skip heavy fertilizer, which produces leaves at the expense of blooms.
• They work well at the edges of vegetable beds for color.

3. Sunflowers

Sunflowers are an excellent project for kids and beginners alike. Plant seeds 1 inch deep and 6 inches apart for medium varieties, or follow the packet for giants, which may need 2 feet between plants. Pick a spot with 6 to 8 hours of direct sun and shelter from strong wind, because tall stalks can topple.

For a longer show, sow a new batch every two weeks until early summer. Choose pollen-free varieties if you plan to cut them for vases, since the pollen drops and stains.

4. Cosmos

Cosmos have airy, feathery foliage and daisy-like flowers that bees love. Surprisingly, they bloom best in poor soil. Scatter seeds on bare ground, press them in lightly, and cover with just an eighth of an inch of soil, as they need light to germinate. Thin seedlings to 12 inches apart. Expect flowers in 7 to 10 weeks.

• Do not over-water or over-feed them.
• Taller types may need a stake or a neighboring plant for support.
• Let a few flowers go to seed and they will often return next year.

5. Nasturtiums

Nasturtiums have round leaves and bright orange, yellow, and red flowers, and both are edible with a peppery taste. Soak seeds overnight, then plant them half an inch deep and 10 to 12 inches apart. They actually prefer lean soil and a bit of neglect. Rich soil gives lush leaves but few flowers.

Tip: Only eat flowers you grew without pesticides, and wash them first.

How to get a strong start

Whatever you plant, a few habits improve results. Loosen the soil to a depth of 6 inches and remove weeds before sowing. Keep the seedbed evenly damp, like a wrung-out sponge, until sprouts appear, which means light watering once or twice a day in snug weather. Mark rows with labels so you can tell seedlings from weeds.

When seedlings have two sets of true leaves, thin them to the spacing on the packet. It feels wasteful to pull healthy plants, but crowded flowers stay little and are more prone to disease.

Where to sow and when to start indoors

All five flowers can go straight into the ground, but you can get a head start by sowing zinnias, marigolds, and cosmos in little pots indoors about 4 weeks before your last frost. Use a seed-starting mix, keep it moist, and place the pots under a bright window or grow light for 12 to 14 hours a day. Harden seedlings off for a week by setting them outside for a few more hours each day, then transplant on a cloudy afternoon. Sunflowers and nasturtiums resent root disturbance, so sow those directly where they will grow.

Common pitfalls to avoid

• Sowing too early, when cold soil causes seeds to rot instead of sprout.
• Planting seeds too deep, since little seeds cannot push through thick soil.
• Skipping thinning because it feels cruel.
• Letting the seedbed dry out during the first two weeks.

Start with two or three of these and expand next year once you know what you like. Save a few seed heads at the end of the season and you will have free flowers for years.