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What seeds can be direct sown in the garden in zone 4-5?

I live in southern WI.I'm wondering what flower seeds can be directly sown & what plants do better when sown in late fall.I THINK hollyhocks,poppies,sweet williams?Do I do this after a killing frost ?

Public Comments

1. I have had good luck with hollyhocks and poppies. Never tried sweet williams. Balsam works well. If it naturally reseeds itself in the fall, like these flowers do, then they usually do well. I have had sweet pea flowers reseed themselves in the fall and sprout in the spring (sometimes quite a ways from the source). Don't be afraid to collect the seeds of flowers that have bloomed and seed them where you want. Ask neighbours if you can collect seeds from some of the flowers that you have admired in their yards. Also consider flowers that are native or unusual. I have planted milkweed for years and get beautiful sweet flowers that are sometimes filled with butterflies and hummingbirds. (These little guys need all of the help that they can get.) Much of the fun of gardening is expermenting and trying new things. Sometimes things work, sometimes not. Keep records of what you planted and where, as well as where the seeds came from. It's easy to forget over the long winter. Good Luck!