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Every year I have people stop and ask where I got the hundreds of annuals in my gardens. They mistakenly believe I must have spent a small fortune, or found a really good sale!! Neither is true. The secret is in the garden all along, waiting.
Come spring, the first thing most people I know do is grab the handy spade and flip over the soil. The next thing they do is go to a garden centre and buy a hundred annuals to fill in the empty spaces. I will tell anybody who will listen that this is a waste of both time and money. Granted, there may be the odd new and wonderful annual that you have never had, that's fine and dandy, go ahead. But if you had annuals in the garden the previous year, they're still there, waiting. Yup, it's true. Just waiting, for the warmth of the spring sun to bring them to life.
I'm always excited come spring, waiting for the first perennials to pop through the soil. I busy myself with them, but I am waiting for another breakthrough. Hundreds of self sown seeds from the previous years annuals. I know they'll be there, I stopped dead heading just a couple of weeks before first frost in anticipation of this very moment. Even took a few special dead heads and plopped them in different places here and there, knowing just what would happen come spring.
Now spring is here and I'm reaping my reward for being patient and ignoring the spade in the shed. Hundreds of annual seeds are popping up, just waiting to be moved, or left where they are in nice little clumps. The Cleome, Nicotiana, Cosmos, Candytuft, Larkspur, Calendula, Poppies, Sweet Alyssum, Love-in-a-Mist(Nigella), Petunias, yes, even Petunias!! These all come back readily, every spring, in my gardens. No fuss, no muss, my kind of gardening. I wait until they are a couple of inches tall, then start moving them freely. A kitchen teaspoon works really well for this task, dig up a little clump, or a single plant if you have to, and set it right back down, they have no idea they have even been moved. An overcast, drizzly day is a good time for this.
I have experimented too. One year I bought a six pack of annuals. Planted them along side my volunteer seedlings. The volunteers out grew the store bought ones. They didn't have to go through the set-back of being taken from greenhouse conditions and plopped in a garden.
Granted, you will not get an instant show of flowers such as can be had from buying nursery grown annuals, but, if you have a well established perennial bed, you shouldn't need it. Annuals, in my opinion, are meant to take over later in the season when early blooming perennials are almost finished.
The Nicotiana picture on the left is an example. Yes, that patch self sowed itself, right where it was needed. I left that patch there to hide the Lupines that were cut back after flowering. Their scent at dusk is intoxicating and they are right at the edge of the garden, near the sidewalk. People walking by at night can be heard breathing deeply.
During the summer, as I am wandering around, enjoying the gardens, I pay attention to any spot that might need a little "lift" the following year. This is where it gets fun. I take a few seedheads off of an annual and scatter them in that spot, knowing full well that next summer, there they will be. Like those Nicotiana, or the Larkspur I scattered last fall, all around a clump of Queen of the Prairie (Filipendula rubra), because I noticed that area lacking once the Queen was cut back. I scattered some Cosmos seeds all through a big patch of Rose Campion too. Rose Campion will bloom sporadically most of the summer if dead headed, but I got to thinking that a nice little patch of Cosmos would fit in there nicely and the Campions would help hold them up. Getting the idea? I have a few clumps of early blooming Day Lilies, once they are done, there isn't much left to look at. I solved that problem by re-locating some Cleome seeds I had in the dead head pail I carry around. Next year, when those Day Lilies are finished, the Cleome will step right up and do their job nicely.
I scatter Poppy seeds everywhere, and Calendula seeds go wherever there is a patch of Tulips or Daffodils. Candytuft get scattered at the base of Clematis vines to help shade their roots from the sun. I'll scatter annual seeds in an empty place where I have dug out a perennial to move, for one reason or another, and haven't found that perfect replacement yet. Try it next summer, while you are roaming your gardens enjoying the beauty, scatter some annual seeds!!!
So, please, this spring, think twice about grabbing that spade. Wait a couple or three weeks and see what pops up. You may be surprised!!..
Many thanks to wallaby1 for making a spade "glamorous", and to fleurone for making my Nicotiana photo presentable, and to Sarahskeeper for the beautiful Cleome shot. The Cosmos photo is one of mine........
About Lee Anne Stark
I am an avid gardener who shares my gardens with 2 other equally avid gardeners. I garden for fun and relaxation, never paying attention to the rules!! During the long, cold winter months I occupy my time playing with over a hundred house plants, my six cats and two dogs.
Posted by gretagreenthumb (from Wichita Falls, TX) on April 8, 2008 at 9:34 AM:
Isn't this what our grandparents did and now we call that "cottage gardening"?
I just purchased a old (1940) house and am in the process of creating flowerbeds. I am very anxious to see what comes up next year as I am now in the process of planting Nicotiana, Cleome, and Cosmos in a rather large area. Hoping they do well, but a little timid, as it will have the shade of a very large tree in the afternoon. I'm also planting some Caster Beans in the background (I've got 62 seeds started in peat pots -- thinking I may have started way too many, but will give some away and will use some to create a jungle for my little ones to play in. . . yes, I plan to cut off flowers as they appear).
Love reading your articles -- thanks!
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Subject: Experimenting with no spading
Posted by margieseyfer (from Wheat Ridge, CO) on February 11, 2008 at 12:56 PM:
Such great ideas. I will try this!
Thanks!
Margie
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Posted by threegardeners (from North Augusta, ON) on February 11, 2008 at 1:05 PM:
Great!!
Let me know what pops up for you.
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Subject: My kind of gal
Posted by LouC (from Desoto, TX) on February 5, 2008 at 11:02 AM:
I love the idea that my garden is waiting mysteriously underground. Just to be sure, I scatter seed here and there and run out every morning to see what is up today! Neat article.
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Posted by threegardeners (from North Augusta, ON) on February 5, 2008 at 11:06 AM:
It's cool, isn't it? Waiting for all the surprises.
Loved this article, because I learned this quite by chance one year, when my life intervened, and I couldn't do my usual rabid deadheading of the annuals in late summer/fall.
Beautifully written!
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Posted by Indynannyof8 (from Brownstown, IN) on February 5, 2008 at 3:16 PM:
Just wanted to add I loved that article
Indy
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Posted by cactuspatch (from La Luz/Alamogordo, NM) on February 13, 2008 at 10:57 AM:
Great article, good job! This is exactly how I have gardened for years. When I tell people about seeing a blank area and laying a few seed heads there for next season,many don't seem to believe me! But it is very easy. As I walked through my yard yesterday, I saw millions of tiny seedlings already poking through. I get so many that come up that I do have to spend some time thinning out. But I enjoy that much more than digging and lugging flats home from HD!
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Subject: The Return of the Annuals?
Posted by MistyPetals (from North Augusta, SC) on February 5, 2008 at 2:46 AM:
Who knew? COOOOOOOOOL! Great article. I enjoyed it. I tell ya, I learn something new daily here at DG, what a blessing. Happy gardening!
Misty
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Posted by doccat5 (from Fredericksburg, VA) on February 5, 2008 at 4:30 AM:
Wonderful! I had no clue, but what a great idea! Thanks for sharing the info, this is great.
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Posted by debilu (from Fingerlakes Region, NY) on February 5, 2008 at 6:49 AM:
Good article LeeAnne. I've had impatiens and zinnia reseed. I'll look for more!
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Posted by pixie62560 (from South China, ME) on February 5, 2008 at 7:57 AM:
3G's I know exactly what you mean! I do it w/my snapdragons, morning glories ect... I haven't bought snapdragons since 2004 or 2005 and have an abundance every year! Great article!!
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Posted by tmbolin (from crossville, TN) on February 5, 2008 at 8:47 AM:
Great write up Lee Ann. Bet this gets some minds to spinning!
Tina
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Posted by darius (from Marion, VA) on February 5, 2008 at 9:48 AM:
Good article! I rarely do annuals but maybe this year I can get some tucked into the flower beds I haven't made yet...
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Posted by grampapa (from Wheatfield, NY) on February 5, 2008 at 9:52 AM:
I'm beginning to catch on LOL. I'm starting more annuals from seed this year and hope they'll catch on, too. Thanks for the great article.
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Posted by lakesidecallas (from Dandridge, TN) on February 5, 2008 at 10:23 AM:
Great article! Thanks, great writing style!
susan
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Posted by threegardeners (from North Augusta, ON) on February 5, 2008 at 10:25 AM:
Thank you all so much!! I'm glad you enjoyed the article. Hopefully, it'll save a few people some cash come spring :))
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Posted by angele (from Elephant Butte, NM) on February 5, 2008 at 11:25 AM:
Adding a 'me too" to the chorus of praise for a great article! Thanks it was great reading!
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Posted by judycooksey (from Pocahontas, TN) on February 5, 2008 at 12:12 PM:
Lovely article!!
Judy
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Posted by Mahnot (from DFW area, TX) on February 5, 2008 at 12:28 PM:
Very enjoyable and informative article.
I'm rethinking what I had planned to buy this year.
Thanks a bunch.
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Posted by Garden4ever (from Plymouth, WI) on February 5, 2008 at 12:48 PM:
Great article! Petunias started springing up last year here where I didn't even plant them! Hoping for more of the same with the cosmos, etc. Not sure if they can do it in Zone 4-5, but I am hopeful!
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Posted by carrielamont (from Milton, MA) on February 5, 2008 at 12:53 PM:
Looky what zone Lee Anne gardens in! Next question - will they do it containers?
xx, Carrie
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Posted by Garden4ever (from Plymouth, WI) on February 5, 2008 at 12:57 PM:
Thanks Carrielamont! Didn't see that. Now I am completely hopeful!
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Posted by gardenwife (from Newark, OH) on February 5, 2008 at 1:04 PM:
Now wait a moment...It's spring already in Ontario? Just kidding ya. I loved this article!
I should have some cleome reseeding in a couple of beds if I am patient. Come spring, I always want to get out and get a heard start on the weeding and mulching, but I am sure I've rid the beds of plants I want! At least the cleome seedlings are very easy to identify! LOL
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Posted by threegardeners (from North Augusta, ON) on February 5, 2008 at 1:34 PM:
Carrie, they will come back in containers!! If an annual went to seed there, they will come back.
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Posted by victorgardener (from Lower Hudson Valley, NY) on February 5, 2008 at 2:10 PM:
Very nice, 3G, and a great way for people to save bucks. It's not always so easy for me to distinguish the seedlings from weeds, however!
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Posted by Dea (from Frederick, MD) on February 5, 2008 at 2:44 PM:
Have I ever made the spade mistake before - yuk! Now I try to at least take some photos so I know what the seedlings look like know.
Love those volunteers :)
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Posted by daylilydaddy (from morehead, KY) on February 5, 2008 at 2:49 PM:
It happened here just like you said. A Dger lived here before me and had flower boxes and containers scattered about. There was a huge patch of impatiens under the flower boxes mixed with coleus and in the back yard tropical garden the impatiens got scarry huge. This last season I on purpose scattered the seed so I could have the same effect this year. Great Job!
Geo
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Posted by Indynannyof8 (from Brownstown, IN) on February 5, 2008 at 3:15 PM:
I've found that out also 3g. For the last few years my petunia seedlings have arrived to acompany the ones I bought. Last year I just waited on them and WOW the color combinations. They were such fun. I've had the same kind of impatien for years also and usually get some seeds to save but last year was not able to get them. I bet I still havae impatiens, don't you. Thanks for the tip of putting "heads" in the blank spaces. I hope I remember to try that this year.
Veronica
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Posted by Sharran (from Calvert City, KY) on February 5, 2008 at 5:05 PM:
Good Job!!!
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Posted by victorgardener (from Lower Hudson Valley, NY) on February 5, 2008 at 5:20 PM:
For those who use herbicides (organic or synthetic) for their lawn - be careful about using any pre-emergents near the areas where you want seeds to sprout!
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Posted by threegardeners (from North Augusta, ON) on February 5, 2008 at 5:29 PM:
Thanks Victor, good point, I never use any of that stuff, so of course, I never think to mention it....
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Posted by victorgardener (from Lower Hudson Valley, NY) on February 5, 2008 at 5:50 PM:
No problem. I have used the organic - corn gluten meal - for the past few years.
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Posted by marsue (from Cabot, AR) on February 5, 2008 at 6:21 PM:
I really enjoyed your article, 3g.
I have 3 wave petunia plants that have amazed me completely. I put them in the ground rather than growing them in hanging baskets last spring and those plants have not only NOT died out during this winter but the leaves on them are still green. I fully expected them to die once winter arrived. I had 6 plants altogether, I believe, and the other 3 have not made it.
Another time several years ago I did have petunias that re-seeded themselves. It was a happy surprise!!
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Posted by jannich (from Red Level, AL) on February 5, 2008 at 7:29 PM:
Another great article Lee Ann!
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Posted by threegardeners (from North Augusta, ON) on February 5, 2008 at 7:29 PM:
Thank you!!
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Posted by soapwort243 (from South Milwaukee, WI) on February 5, 2008 at 8:39 PM:
Thanks for the great article and the great ideas!! I will use the suggestion about the seeds with the early daylilies ! I have Dianthus, Snap dragons, and Dusty Millers that come back every year ! And better than ever !!! I never had a petunia or impatient come back--I think they die before they go into seeds? (I love impatients -but they never do well for me)
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Posted by beckygardener (from (Becky) in Sebastian, FL) on February 5, 2008 at 10:28 PM:
Great article! Funny that you mentioned Petunias ... I was checking some of my potted vines and noticed a lot of growth of what I thought were weeds growing in one of the pots. Thank goodness I didn't get around to weeding right away. I looked today and low and behold they are my beautiful deep purple Petunias coming back from seed this year. I had used the pot in the early Spring of last year for the Petunias and when they all died back I planted MGs. I forgot that there had been Petunias in that pot! And boy oh boy are they now some thick growth with lots of flower buds on them. I just threw more annual seed varieties in my garden beds (store bought). I may regret it if seeds from the plants I had there last year sprout too! LOL! Maybe I'll finally have a full and lush garden!
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Posted by gotjoy (from Bellingham, WA) on February 12, 2008 at 3:07 PM:
This is certainly worth a try, but It would help if I knew what climate zone you lived in!
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Posted by gleichen (from gleichen
(Canada)) on February 13, 2008 at 11:07 AM:
I garden zone 3 in Canada - and yes - they come back from wherever they land. Last year rambling petunias climbed up through the wooly lambs ears and made a spectacular show. The best part - I had never planted those petunias in my garden. To prove once again, the garden has it's own plan. Death to the weeds and let the rest rip
in anticipation of this very moment. Even took a few special dead heads and plopped them in different places here and there, knowing just what would happen come spring.
s!! These all come back readily, every spring, in my gardens. No fuss, no muss, my kind of gardening. I wait until they are a couple of inches tall, then start moving them freely. A kitchen teaspoon works really well for this task, dig up a little clump, or a single plant if you have to, and set it right back down, they have no idea they have even been moved. An overcast, drizzly day is a good time for this. 
The Nicotiana picture on the left is an example. Yes, that patch self sowed itself, right where it was needed. I left that patch there to hide the Lupines that were cut back after flowering. Their scent at dusk is intoxicating and they are right at the edge of the garden, near the sidewalk. People walking by at night can be heard breathing deeply. 
