Life under quarantine may not seem like the best time to start something new, but somehow that happens naturally. Growing flowers from seeds in a home environment is a way to lift your spirit and distract yourself in an otherwise monotonous daily routine. If you include your children, the upsides of trying something new certainly outweigh the downsides.
Gardening is a relaxing physical activity that people of all ages can enjoy without ever leaving their home. Parents that do gardening often include their children in the activities as well, while other families may perceive it as a hobby that they learn and do together. However, before planting the first flower, we must choose the right sort, prepare the soil and learn how to properly care for it.
Sow annual flowers in the garden or turn your city terrace a small colorful oasis
Explore the place - be it the balcony or the garden. Draw your favorite colors in separate spots in your mind. If you like red or fuchsia, your choice might be the zonal geranium or the ivy geranium. Their abundant flowering and relatively easy growing make them some of the most preferred flowers for the home. If you want sunny yellow and hot orange - why not opt for marigolds, nasturtiums or zinnia? The purple color of aristocracy can be achieved with cascading or royal petunia. The petunia has a waterfall of funnel-shaped flowers of extremely decorative value. It blooms from May to late fall and thrives well in sunny places. To create a slightly more tropical look to your garden, why not add a few cacti? After you choose the color palette you want to achieve in your garden, it's time to plant.
Most flowers need 6-8 hours of sunlight every day. Therefore, you should observe your yard/terrace throughout the day to find out which spots receive most sunlight and which are partially or fully in the shade. Do not fret if your area is very shady. You won’t be able to grow roses in the shade, but many other plants (for example ferns and hostas) love it. This step is important to ensure that your plants receive the light they need to bloom. Check the labels of seed packages to find out how much sun each plant requires.
Prepare the soil
The more fertile and crumblier the soil, the better your flowers will grow. Your soil may be too moist, poor and infertile or too acidic or alkaline. The solution is often simple: add organic matter. Add a 2- to 5-cm layer of compost, rotting leaves, dry grass clippings. In outdoor gardens, earthworms will do most of the work of mixing humus with soil. And for those of you who do not have a yard, good and ready-to-plant soil is also available online from major supermarkets.
Process the soil
Working with the soil is essential for preparing beds for sowing or planting, as it allows the roots to easily penetrate the soil to access water and nutrients. There are two methods: processing and digging.
Dig only when the soil is moist enough to form a loose ball in your fist, but dry enough to break when you drop it. Use a sharp spade or a hoe to gently turn the top 8 to 15 cm of soil while mixing it with organic matter.
To prevent weeds and moisture from entering, cover the soil with a few inches of mulch.
Before sowing the selected seeds, smooth out and gently squeeze the soil surface. The aim is for the seeds to fall to the same depth. If we plant in pots, we spread the seeds chaotically, and if we do it in a garden, we prepare rows or nests. If the seeds are very small, do not cover them, but simply place a dark piece of paper on top of them that you have to remove immediately after they sprout.
Be sure to read the seed package for information regarding the time, depth and distance for planting. Always keep the seeds and seedlings moist, but not wet, as they may rot.
The seedlings should never be allowed to dry, so water them daily. Do it less often as the plants grow larger. After that the frequency of watering depends on the soil, humidity and rainfall; although once a week is a good place to start. Clay soil dries slower than sandy soil. Sunny and windy conditions dry the soil faster than cool, cloudy weather. Still not sure? Feel the soil 3 to 6 cm below the surface. If it's dry, it's time to water it. Water must penetrate slowly and deeply so that it soaks rather than drains. To minimize evaporation, water it in the early morning.
Your garden is starting to grow. Help it reach its full potential by watering the flowers regularly. Pull out the weeds before they grow too big. Get rid of dead, dying and diseased vegetation. And don't forget to stop and smell the flowers!
