Bachelor buttons are a great flower seed to winter sow. The winter sowing process is easy and takes place well before the busyness of the growing season is upon us. And the seeds generally germinate much more reliably outdoors in the somewhat sheilded environment of the mini greenhouse that winter sowing entails.
Winter sowing bachelor buttons
The first step in winter sowing bachelor buttons is to collect containers with lids such as milk jugs, yogurt cups, or plastic food storage containers. I used a plastic muffin tray from Costco. Poke several small holes into the bottom of each container for drainage and fill them halfway with potting soil or seed-starting mix.
Place some seeds on top of the soil in each container then cover lightly with more soil before watering thoroughly from above until it starts dripping out of the bottom holes. Close up each lid tightly so that moisture doesn’t escape.
Place the closed containers outside where they will be exposed to rain, snow, wind, and other elements throughout winter but protected from animals by their lids. Check back every few weeks just in case any critters have gotten inside or if extra moisture needs added due to dry conditions caused by strong winds or hot weather spells during late winter/early spring months.
Once seedlings start sprouting open up their lids slightly so air can circulate freely while still protecting against animal pests like birds and rodents who may try snacking on young plants before they’re ready for harvest time. If needed, add a bit more water, since some days may be warmer than others causing evaporation quicker than normal rates would suggest otherwise (just don’t overwater).
Once seedlings reach 3-4 inches tall, they should be transplanted into individual pots filled with fresh potting soil or directly into prepared beds outdoors. Make sure there is plenty of space between plants when transplanting as overcrowded gardens tend not to produce well no matter how much care was put into initial stages beforehand – give them room. When finished, give everything one final deep watering session before stepping back and admiring all those gorgeous bachelor button flowers soon coming our way.
How to winter sow bachelor’s button seeds
Start by collecting some clear plastic containers with lids, potting soil, and bachelor button seeds. Fill each container with potting soil so it’s about 2-4 inches deep. Sprinkle the seeds over the top of the soil. You can use 1-2 seeds per container if the containers are small and you don’t have many seeds. In larger containers and/or if you have lots of seeds, sprinkle them loosely over the surface.
Mist the planted seed bed with water if you like. Tape the lid to the base of the container (if necessary to keep it secured). Be sure to leave some air holes in the lid for air circulation and for rain and snow to enter gently.
Place the containers outside in a sunny spot. This could be on a balcony or patio, but make sure they are protected from animals with their lids. The containers should be far enough away from the house that they can receive snow and rain to keep the soil moist as germination occurs.
Caring for seedlings as they sprout
As temperatures warm up in late winter/early spring, you may notice small green shoots emerging from the soil. Make sure that you keep them well-watered. If needed, give them extra protection against harsh weather conditions such as strong winds or heavy rain by placing something like cardboard over the top of the containers during bad weather.
Transplanting bachelor button seedlings
To transplant bachelor button seedlings, you will need a few supplies. These include potting soil, a small trowel or shovel, and the seedlings themselves. If you have access to an outdoor space for planting, you may also want to purchase some gardening gloves and a watering can.
Before transplanting your bachelor button seedlings, it is important to prepare the soil in which they will be planted. Start by loosening up the soil with your trowel or shovel so that it is easy for roots to spread out when planted. Once this is done, add some compost or fertilizer if desired, and mix into the top layer of soil before planting your seedlings.
When ready to plant your bachelor button seedling(s), make sure there is enough room between each one so that they can grow properly without overcrowding each other’s roots. Dig holes slightly larger than the root ball of each individual plant and place them inside gently but firmly, pressing down on any air pockets around their base before filling in with more soil until level with ground surface surrounding them. Then water thoroughly after planting has been completed.
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