Show I LI Grow Per Perennial Flowers From Seed I i ij j I fir s st r t t i r l ly I i jo y 1 at l I f l lI S 4 V I I II I Photo Courtesy Morse Ferry Seed Co You can save considerable garden money and add new zest to your gardening by growing your own perennial flowers from seed The best quality seeds cost 1 only a few lew cents a packet and with simple care will produce scores of plants to I bring color and beauty to the garden for years to come Most perennials grown from m seed bloom b o the second year after af sowing sowing seed should be started at about the same time as that of the annuals such as zinnias and marigolds The secret of f success is la to get the seedlings to transplanting size early enough so that when set in their permanent places in garden or border they will get a good root-hold root before cold weather comes on A specially prepared seed bed or seed box is best for lor starting perennial seeds J A seed bed can be easily prepared by knocking the bottom out of a good- good sized shallow wooden box and sinking the sides into the ground The top should be about two or three inches I above the surface Use finely prepared crumbly garden loam containing plenty of humus It is important to locate the seed bed where it will be sheltered from om strong winds and from sunlight during ding the hottest part of the day A seed box or flat may also be used with holes bored in the bottom for drainage This has the advantage of being may may- movable mayle able le to sheltered locations when necessary essary borne S me perennial seeds are very small a i Ij to I Mix them with sand so that they will not be sown too thickly in the row and merely press them into the soil instead of covering them Larger seeds need needa a shallow covering of soiL Firm Finn the soil down on them so that they will make immediate contact with the moisture mois mois- moisture moisture ture and plant food Keep the soil moist but not wet until the seeds sprout Some gardeners spread damp burlap over the surface to furnish need need- needed needed needed ed moisture removing it at the first sign of sprouting ng Here are a number of perennials that beginners r can start from seed with almost sure success Columbine gail- gail gaillardia gaillardia gaillardia coreopsis hollyhock painted daisy sweet william hardy pinks hardy alyssum and the violas Perennial seeds usually take some some- somewhat somewhat somewhat what longer to germinate than those of annual flowers Dont Don't be discouraged if the tiny sprouts do not show them them- themselves themselves themselves selves for two or three weeks after the I seed is sown |