Sow These Top 10 Flower Seeds in May for a Vibrant Summer Garden Filled with Colorful Blooms
Gardening Like a Pro: May Blooms to Level Up Your Garden Game
Welcome May, and dazzle your outdoor space with these fantastic flowers that'll bring a burst of color to your summer garden! The longer days and warming soil make this month perfect for sowing seeds and creating a vibrant array of blooms.
Before you dive into planting, take a moment to prep the soil. Remove weeds, debris, and unwanted nasties, and work organic matter, such as compost, into the ground, going a decent 6 inches deep. Remember to water the soil well, as moistening it before sowing seeds will ensure they don't get dislodged or buried too deep while watering after.
Now, let's get to the good stuff – the flowers!
Springtime Sizzlers: Annual Flowers to Plant in May
- Sunflowers: Adored for their cheerful heads and edible seeds, these towering blooms are a must-have for every garden. Sow the 1-2 inch deep seeds in a sun-drenched spot after the last frost. Space them about 6-12 inches apart, and keep the area moderately moist – seedlings should pop up in 7-10 days.
- Zinnias: These vibrant and hardy flowers come in a myriad of colors and sizes, making them an ideal choice for adding a pop of color to your garden. Plant them 1/4 inch deep and 6-18 inches apart, ensuring that the area gets at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day.
- Nasturtiums: These unique flowers with lily-pad-like leaves are easy to grow from large, hard seeds. After scarifying the seeds (e.g., rubbing them with sandpaper), sow them 1 inch deep and at least 8 inches apart in a location with at least 6 hours of sunlight and well-draining soil.
- Celosia: With unusual flowers that resemble plumes or cockscomb, celosia seeds need sunlight to germinate. Sow them on the surface of damp soil in full sun and well-drained soil, then lightly sprinkle some soil over the top to prevent them from blowing away. Space 6-12 inches apart.
- Bachelor Buttons: or cornflowers, as they're also known, are annuals with attractive, rayed blue flowers. They prefer a site with at least 6 hours of sunlight, but can tolerate more. Allow the seeds to dry on the plant before collecting, then sow them directly over the surface of the soil and lightly rake them in.
Perennial All-Stars: Hit the Jackpot with These Garden Si error: format call args: Fill in some values!
- Coneflower: These large, rayed perennials come in various colors, including yellow, white, pink, red, and the native purple. They're beloved by pollinators and offer attractive seed heads at the end of the season, providing food for birds. Stratify the seeds (cold-treat them for a few weeks) before sowing on the surface of pre-moistened soil.
- Tickseed: Tickseed offers bright, yellow flowers. There are also pink, red, and bicolored varieties, making them an excellent choice for adding a splash of color. Sow the seeds in full sun and keep the area lightly moist while expecting germination in 10-15 days.
- Yarrow: Yarrow forms umbrella-shaped clusters of flowers surrounded by delicate foliage, available in almost all pastel hues as well as reds and hot pinks. Sow the seeds on moist soil in full to partial sun, ensuring that the site drains well.
- Black-Eyed Susan: Rudbeckia, or black-eyed Susan, is an outstanding plant with rayed flowers. They're known for bright orange petals and a dark center but come in orange, bronze, and red. Sow the seeds where they'll get plenty of sunlight, either broadcasting or in rows 8-12 inches apart.
- Phlox: Phlox will produce large clusters of small flowers primarily in pastel hues. They make excellent cut flowers with a spicy, clove-like scent. Sow the seeds 1/4 inch deep, and space 8-12 inches apart in an area with 8–12 hours of light per day.
So grab your seeds and tools, and get ready to create a flower-filled haven that will put a smile on your face all summer long! For more flower inspiration, don't forget to visit your favorite gardening platform. Happy planting! 💐🌱🌿
- To elevate your home-and-garden lifestyle this season, consider planting perennials such as coneflower, tickseed, yarrow, black-eyed Susan, and phlox for a continuous burst of color in your garden.
- In addition to these perennials, sow annuals like sunflowers, zinnias, nasturtiums, celosia, and bachelor buttons in May for a spectacular display of blooms throughout the summer, perfect for enhancing your lifestyle.
