When creating a garden, you have two options: planting seeds or saplings (and other transplants). Those who want an almost instant garden will likely want to start with plants that have already germinated. However, if you choose the seed route, you may want to pick seeds that will produce at least something green as soon as possible.
in the an article for good + goodsaid the writer Francesca Krempa Allison Vallin, a Maine organic gardener to find out which seeds sprout the fastest. Here’s what to know.
Do some seeds really grow faster than others?
If there’s one thing we’ve learned from those science experiments at school where we planted seeds in a paper cup, it is that it takes a while to see something green. While Vallin says that some seeds germinate earlier than others, that doesn’t mean they all produce brightly colored flowers right away.
“Just because a seed germinates quickly doesn’t mean it will flower quickly” she says good + good. “For example, flowers like violas and petunias take longer to germinate than zinnias and cosmos, but they will produce their first flowers much sooner than later ones.”
5 types of seeds that sprout (relatively) quickly
When it comes to flowers, Vallin has five recommendations for seeds that sprout faster than others:
sunflowers
If you don’t have a large property, don’t worry: not all sunflowers are huge. Vallin recommends planting seeds for dwarf sunflower (which produce buds between 6-14 inches) in a self-draining pot or garden bed.
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Nasturtiums
Eventually, nasturtiums grow into bushes that are red, orange, and yellow in color. “Nasturias are drought tolerant, so there is no need to overwater,” says Vallin. “Just sow in normal soil and plant the seeds 1/2-inch deep and 10 feet apart. They prefer full sun and well-drained soil. “
Marigolds
After planting marigold seeds, Vallin recommends cutting off any dying flowers to make room for healthy growth. “The plant actively sheds its seeds so you can expect ‘volunteers’ to show up next spring,” she adds.
phlox
Eventually, these seeds produce purple, white, blue, and pink flowers. They come in perennial and annual varieties, and while the perennials are less work in the long run, Vallin recommends the annuals if you want to germinate quickly.
Marigolds
Marigolds aren’t all great Companion plants, they also sprout quickly.
