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10 flower seeds to plant in March

Wondering which flower seeds to plant in March? Marigolds, petunias, salvia, sweet peas, zinnia, and columbines all make excellent choices when it comes to choosing what to seed in early spring. Echinacea will bring long-lasting beauty with its bright colors while delphiniums offer delicate blossoms that add charm and gracefulness to any garden space. Finally don’t forget about Shasta daisies or hollyhocks which both provide wonderful height variation within your landscape design. 

Marigold

1. Marigold

Marigolds are a classic in both the flower garden and veggie beds. They’re easy to start from seed and can be planted indoors in early spring or sown directly into the ground once the threat of frost has passed.

When planting marigold seeds indoors, make sure you have plenty of fertile seed starting soil and a grow light if needed so your young plants will thrive when they’re ready to go outside. You can start the seeds 6-8 weeks before the last expected spring frost date in your area – this will give them time to mature enough that they won’t get damaged by cold weather when you transplant them outdoors. Once it’s warm enough, you can transfer marigolds outdoors as individual plants.

Purple petunia
Growing petunias from seed in a Click and Grow

2. Petunia

Petunias are a favorite among gardeners for their vibrant colors and reliable flowers. They’re perfect for adding summer color to your garden or window box. Starting petunia seeds indoors is easy, but you should plan ahead since even these quick growers need time to germinate and grow before they start flowering.

To start petunia seeds indoors, you’ll need seeds, fertile soil, a growing container with drainage holes (such as peat pots), and either a sunny windowsill or artificial grow light. Fill the container with moistened soil mix, and sow one or two seeds per pot about 1/4 inch deep into the soil mix. Cover lightly with more of the soil mixture and water gently until evenly moist but not soggy. Place containers in an area that gets plenty of indirect sunlight such as near a bright window or under plant lights.

Once the sprouts emerge (which can take up to three weeks), move these young plants into direct sunlight if possible; otherwise, provide them with supplementary artificial lighting for at least 8 hours a day until they are ready for outdoor transplanting.

Finally, keep in mind that petunias prefer well-drained soils high in organic matter. Add composted manure prior to planting out young plants; this will ensure healthy growth throughout their growing season.

Salvia

3. Salvia

Salvia plants are another nice garden flower to seed in March. Gardeners searching for an eye-catching addition to their garden can turn to the many varieties of salvia, with a range of colors and textures. Take the time to choose a variety that suits your garden in terms of height and flower color.

Once your seedlings are at least a few inches tall, they can be planted outdoors if temperatures allow. Space salvia plants between 12″ – 18″ apart depending on variety; closer together for smaller types like Salvia farinacea (mealycup sage) and further apart for larger types like Salvia splendens (scarlet sage).

Once established, they will provide vibrant summer blooms right up until autumn arrives. With careful planning, you can enjoy long-lasting color from these versatile pollinator favorites.

Sweet peas flower

4. Sweet peas

Sweet peas are a delightful flower to add to your garden. Their vibrant hues, sizes, and shapes make sweet peas a great choice for brightening up any garden. These blooms are sturdy yearly plants that flourish in direct sunlight and soil with good drainage, plus a generous amount of organic material.

To get the most out of these beautiful flowers, start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last spring frost date. You can also winter sow sweet peas if it is still cold outside in your area and you don’t have room for indoor seed starting.

With proper care, you can have young plants ready for transplanting into the garden by late spring or early summer when temperatures warm up enough for tender perennials like sweet peas. Once sprouts peek their heads above the soil, thin out weaker seedlings to give the hardier ones room to thrive.

Orange zinnias

5. Zinnia

Zinnias are a vibrant, colorful addition to any garden. Zinnias come in a variety of forms and sizes, making them ideal for creating distinctive arrangements or adding some extra vibrancy. Their daisy-like flowers bloom throughout the summer months providing long-lasting color and beauty to your landscape.

Zinnias are easy to start from seed indoors and can be transplanted outdoors once the danger of frost has passed. These flowers like the heat, so don’t put them outdoors until the soil is warm and nights aren’t too chilly.

When starting zinnia seeds indoors, it’s important to begin several weeks before your last spring frost date so that young plants will have time to establish themselves in the garden before the heat of summer arrives. To get started you’ll need fertile soil, plenty of light (a grow light is ideal), and good air circulation around the plants as they develop their roots. Once planted, water regularly.

Once established outdoors, zinnias will thrive with regular watering but don’t require much else in terms of care – no fertilizing or pruning necessary. This makes them an excellent choice for busy homeowners who want a beautiful garden without having to spend hours tending it every week. As an added bonus they attract pollinators like butterflies and bees so you can enjoy watching these creatures flutter around your yard all season long.

Columbine flowers - blue and white

6. Columbine

Columbine is a beautiful, hardy flowering plant that’s perfect for adding summer color to your garden. It produces unique double flowers with long spurs and can come in shades of pink, white, yellow, blue, or purple.

Columbine plants can be grown from seed indoors before the last spring frost date. Start seeds about 8 weeks before your area’s average last frost date for best results. Planting them outdoors after all danger of frost has passed will give you bigger and more colorful blooms than if you plant them too early in the season.

When starting columbines from seed indoors it’s important to use a good quality potting mix and provide plenty of light so the young plants don’t get leggy or weak as they mature. A grow light may be necessary if natural sunlight isn’t available for at least 10 hours per day during their germination period (which usually takes around 2 weeks). Make sure to keep the soil moist but not wet or muddy.

Flowers of echinacea - purple coneflower

7. Echinacea

Many North American gardeners favor Echinacea, commonly referred to as coneflower, for its easy cultivation and vibrant summer color. It’s hardy and easy to grow, making it perfect for beginners who want to add some summer color to their gardens.

This perennial flower can be started indoors or outdoors depending on your climate and growing season. For those beginning their seeds indoors, it is recommended to do so no later than 6-8 weeks prior to the final frost of spring in your region. If the soil has already thawed outdoors, you can purchase small potted plants that can be planted in March.

When planting echinacea outdoors, choose an area with full sun and fertile soil that drains well. Make sure there are no weeds or other plants competing for nutrients in the soil around them. Plant young plants 8-10 inches apart and water regularly throughout the growing season – but don’t overwater.

Single blue delphinium flower in the garden

8. Delphinium

Delphiniums are late-spring bloomers that can provide a burst of color to your garden. They’re short-lived perennials and come in shades of blues, purples, whites, and pinks.

Delphiniums are best started indoors from seed 6 to 8 weeks before the last spring frost date for your area. Make sure they get plenty of light while they’re germinating; a grow light will do the trick. Once the weather warms up enough for tender perennials like delphiniums, it’s time to transplant them into your garden beds or containers filled with fertile soil.

Shasta daisy

9. Shasta daisy

Shasta daisy is a beautiful and hardy perennial known for being reliable and easy to grow. This blooming plant is a great pick for newbie gardeners, with its cheerful daisy-like flowers and straightforward cultivation.

To get the most out of this perennial, start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before your last spring frost date. This will give you young plants ready to go into the ground when the weather warms up.

Place them in a sunny spot with fertile soil and plenty of room for growth; they’ll need at least six hours of sunlight each day during their growing season. If you don’t have enough natural light or it’s still too cold outside, consider using a grow light to help them along until it’s time to transplant outdoors in late spring or early summer.

Once established, these lovely blooms are low maintenance and require minimal care throughout the growing season—just some occasional watering and deadheading (removing spent flowers) will keep them looking great all summer long.

Hollyhock ‘nigra’

10. Hollyhock

Hollyhock is a beautiful and hardy flower that can bring a pop of color to any garden. Hollyhock is a great selection for those in North America who are searching for an eye-catching, effortless way to add allure to their garden.

This bloomer from the Malvaceae family favors nutrient-rich earth and a good deal of sunshine to thrive. Hollyhocks thrive in late spring when temperatures are milder but can also survive during hotter summer months as long as they get enough water.

With tall spires ranging from two to six feet in height, boasting a range of hues such as pink, white, yellow, red, and purple – these flowers make an eye-catching statement. They look especially stunning planted along fences or walls where their blooms can really stand out against the backdrop of greenery. Planting hollyhocks near sweet peas will help attract bees and other pollinators while providing additional visual interest throughout your yard or garden area.

FAQs about which flower seeds to plant in March

What flower seeds do you usually plant in March?

March is a great time to start planting many flower seeds in North America. Depending on the region, some flowers that thrive in this season are pansies, petunias, and snapdragons. For those seeking something offbeat, forget-me-nots can be intriguing choices. Ensuring soil temperature and humidity are stable is essential when sowing these plants; otherwise, they could fail to sprout.

What seeds can I direct sow in March?

Hardy flowering plants like cornflowers, ornamental onions, and forget-me-not can be direct seeded outdoors in March. Plants that like warmer weather such as nasturtium and sunflower are usually not sown until April or May when the soil is warm and there is no chance of frost.

Before you go…

In March, a variety of seeds can be planted to give your garden an eye-catching splash of color and vitality. From marigolds to petunias, salvia to sweet peas – the options for what kind of flowers you’d like in your garden this spring are plentiful. With careful planning and research on the best plants for your area and soil type, these beautiful blooms will be sure to make an impression all season long.

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Mary Jane Duford
Mary Jane Duford

Mary Jane Duford is a quintessential Canadian gardener. An engineer by trade, she tends to an ever-expanding collection of plants. In her world, laughter blooms as freely as her flowers, and every plant is raised with a dash of Canadian grit.

Mary Jane is a certified Master Gardener and also holds a Permaculture Design Certificate. She's also a proud mom of three, teaching her little sprouts the crucial difference between a garden friend and foe.

When she's not playing in the dirt, Mary Jane revels in her love for Taylor Swift, Gilmore Girls, ice hockey, and the surprisingly soothing sounds of bluegrass covers of classic hip-hop songs. She invites you to join her garden party, a place where you can share in the joy of growing and where every day is a new opportunity to find the perfect spot for yet another plant.

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