I bought a copy of “Cool Flowers” based on your recommendation😊 Knowing Lisa thru this book, I started to follow her seed talk series on RU-vid. I found these series are even BETTER than the book! Absolutely love the relatable Q&A, and Lisa is so generous on educating flower farming. (Wouldn’t expect such amount of info could be found online for free) Would also like to say thank you, Danielle, for being generous on sharing your gardening experiences & an advocate for cool flowers😊
I love that you address this issue, I learned about cool flowers from you last year, had my library do an inter library loan for Ms Ziegler's book because mine didn't have it (later I was actually able to borrow it again online) and have planted my first seeds this year. Thanks for all your invaluable knowledge on this subject and for sharing it.
I bought Lisas book 3 years ago and I continue to refer to it. Can’t wait until her new book comes out. You really helped to get into a deep conversation about cool flowers. I think the actual “doing” brings home the message.
Hi Danielle, thanks so much for explaining cool flowers to us in this video. It was so helpful and I appreciate you taking the time to share that info. You always inspire me to get out in the garden and try new things! Good luck with your seedlings, I'm looking forward to see how they do next growing season. 😍
Awesome video!! I noticed in a previous video on the same topic ( maybe last year). You mulched between the seed rows.. with grass clippings etc. did that turn out to be a bad idea? Were there too many weed seeds in the grass clippings? You are an excellent communicator and I always learn a lot and feel so inspired after watching your content 😍😁
Hi friend! Yes! I believe I created a bigger problem for myself last year. Had it just been grass and leaves I think it would have been fine. However, I ended up with even MORE chickweed! Must be chickweed in my grass…
Holy Moley- I just learned SO FREAKING MUCH! I have been wondering what cold hardy perennials are. I figured the obvious, but didn’t understand just how complicated it is. But also- now more simple. I pushed the back button and watched MUCH of this video 2, 3 and even 4 times! This will definitely be one of the videos I keep in my Garden section. Thanks You so much. You are the most darling and sweet person I think I’ve met. I appreciate all of your knowledge and your joyful greeting each video. And so glad you call us all Friends. I would like to think if I lived in Pennsylvania, that we would be great friends! Sending much love ❤️
So I’ve missed the seed starting window for snapdragons. Should I just direct so them this week our first frost is end of Oct in zone 7a, or should I just get my act together and do an early spring planting. This will be in Raised beds
I didn't realize we were supposed to plant out the cool flowers at 60 degrees at night! It's already in the 50's here in northern California. Is it too late to plant them out?
As long as your about 6 weeks before the first frost you should be good! I’m mainly waiting for it to cool down to that consistently at night. Up until a few days ago we were still in the mid 90s during the day and high 70s at night. I’m looking for that shift when we are consistently having those mid 60s nights.
I might be too late to fall sow this year😞 I’m in zone 8a and while our first below freezing temperatures will be next week, they don’t stay consistently cold until January. It’s totally normal for it to be in the 60’s and 70’s well into December, so I’m hoping I can get away with a really late sowing this year🙏🏻🤞🏻
In Sweden, some sow these hardy annuals in snow, in about February, and they grow when they are ready. *Winter sowing flowers* and veggies is a new and exciting possibility.
I do have a question. When you say a plant is hardy to Zone 6 say...does that mean that higher zones are ok to plant at a time appropriate to their zone? l live in Louisiana and in zone 8b to 9. Can I put transplants / seeds in in the fall as well, just at a later date? Or does it simply mean I am unable to grow those plants in my zone since its hotter? I'm a little confused. I understand the whole zone to zone concept.. like zone 3 to 9 growing range, just not this.
Hi Susan. Perhaps another way to say it is “hardy down to zone 6.” The plant can take temperatures down to the lowest temperature normally expected in zone 6. So here in 6b I can fall plant anything that is hardy in zone 6, 5, 4, and 3. I cannot fall plant anything that is hardy in 7 and 8 because our winters are too cold. In your zone you can grow all of the cool flowers. Your temperatures remain high enough that they can all winter over. Lisa has a section on winter sowing for warm climates in her book also.
I’ve found the best way to keep pets from damaging seedlings is chicken wire laid over them so it’s not pleasant to walk on and nearly impossible to scratch in. Doesn’t look that pretty but it’s only for a short time! And if you have a dog that respects boundaries like I’m lucky enough to have, I use bamboo stakes and twine to make a string line fence. Sometimes one line of string at nose height does the trick but if they are more determined, I do two heights.
I think I heard you say in a previous video that you will flip a single raised bed 3-4 times. I would love to hear some examples of what 3-4 flower crops work well together taking turns in a bed. This is my first year fall-planting cool flowers and I'm struggling to plan out my season. I need some inspiration on how to get the most flowers from very limited bed space.
Our nights are in the low 40's and tonight's low will be 38 degrees. We are winterizing our gardens and getting ready for snow which falls in October. I can't imagine having a fall garden! You are so fortunate. 🏵🌿🌺
My top resources are Lisa Mason Ziegler and YOU! 🌸 Maybe one day you will write a book! In your raised beds, why don’t you fill them to the top with soil?
Have you tried covering the cool flowers for the first couple of light frosts? I'm a little bit late planting my cool flowers directly but our first frost may be the only frost we get for a few weeks (Zone 6b NY). Thanks.
Thanks Danielle for the information. Me here in Melbourne Australia I get very few frost days and no snow. I have Lisa’s book and it is useful but us gardeners don’t have the equipment like lights and room in their house. I find I need 8 to 10 weeks to get a decent size seedling to plant out. I find I get great germination of larkspur done in a winter sown milk container and I do other cool flowers the same way with great success.
I love the beautiful color of your garden this time of year. I tried planting out last year cool season flowers and it worked. I’m in zone 10a so they don’t get much cool but it worked!
He he your dog 🦮 probably thinks you're going around the twist and talking to yourself 😆 this summer we pulled out about a dozen Conifers at the back and another privet hedge at the front so am creating new borders from scratch 🌿🌱 its been tiring but am now addicted to gardening it like having two more rooms to look after 🌺🌷🌾 I think next year I'll also start growing some fruit and veg - I've got a blueberry bush already we'll see how she goes 🫐 ps am in UK on the east coast (Whitby) 🇬🇧
I'm so grateful that you talked about and taught us about cool flowers! I started doing it a year or two ago and what a great option for getting wonderful flowers that are hardy and get going much earlier than the seed catalogs and packets can say. Also I bought that book and it is a go to book for this topic. Hope you have a wonderful fall plantings of your cool flowers.
This might have been my favorite video so far. I really want to plant orlaya. I’m on NJ, zone 6b. If I can get a hold of seeds , can I plant in a brand new bed? I did the no till method with cardboard and compost. So , the seeds would likely be planted in compost. Will that work?
Danielle, do you recommend using starting straw to mulch newly planted seeds to keep them from washing out in the rain? Thank you for this video! I bought the book last year upon your recommendation.🥰
Oh my, thank you so much for this video. You answered all of my questions about cool flowers. I will order Lisa’s book today. You explain things so thoroughly and clearly. I’m grateful that you take the time to make these videos for us.❤
what is the difference between the cool planting flowers and winter sowing? Is it just timing- is it the same types of flowers that do well with both methods? Love your channel! thank you!
Lisa and Layne’s podcast today was all about cool flower mistakes, so with your video and her info I’m ready to go! But I still can’t get over how from one end of the state to the other, the weather and temperatures can be so different!
Question: it’s now February 2024 and my cool flowers were looking really nice in the fall but now that we’ve had some snow and freezing temperatures they look rather “sad.” Will they bounce back once the weather gets warmer? I have Bachelor’s Buttons and Larkspur in raised beds. The Bachelor’s Buttons got so nice as lush but now it looks, not dead but sad. Just wanted to know your experience. I’m in zone 6b in MO. Thanks and love your channel.
Hi! Thanks for doing so much great videos. Do I understand it right that you don’t cover them at all? Not with leaves or anything? I live in zone 6b but in Sweden and I tried winter sowing with good result this year, and I thought I’d try out autumn sowing too. I would really like to see more videos from you about sowing in autumn or winter or early spring 😊.
Thank you for this!!! Cool collab idea would be to ask different youtubers about their experience with cool flowers in their zone. Especially like the idea of what blooms with what like you were discussing around 11:27.
Here in Zone 5b (Chicago), I’m using hoops and row covers for that very reason - critters/birds and wind. On every nice day, I pull them part way back for more sun but still keep enough of them on to deter critters. When it ices or snows, they will come off.
Can you tell me where you bought that watering can? Mine doesn't provide such a fine steady spray. I'm worried I'll wash my seeds away. Thank you for your videos. So helpful!
I love your videos Danielle; so inspiring! Here in europe though, the common names are so different that I don't always know what you're referring to. Eg. Nigella is the same but have no idea what are Bells of Ireland. If it's not too laborious could you write the botanical names in the description? When I search "bachelor's buttons" for example I get a variety of possibilities. Hope this is not too demanding or unfair.
Hi, I fall planted Sweet William, sweet series colors, for the first time. I transplanted them about 5 weeks before our 1st average frost date, but it still hasn't frosted. 😬 They shot up and look like they may flower soon! They are green and fluffy on top. Should I cut them before they flower? I've never grown them before, so I'm not sure what to do. Thanks for any help! I was obviously hoping for blooms in the spring. 😂
I love Lisa's book! I purchased it years ago and reference it all the time. BTW, what variety is that beautiful pink snapdragon and that huge amaranth?
This is an interesting concept but unfortunately I don't think this will work in my zone 4/5 garden although I've had snapdragons overwinter and bloom a second year. Is there anything here that will work for us in colder climates. I have to squeak out every day I can here.
I have a bunch of pansy seeds that I forgot in the freezer. Can anyone help me? Can I direct sow them and if so, when? The last of the snow is melting right now, Jan 23 2024
Can you direct seed cool flowers when daytime temperatures are in the 80s? Or do you wait until the days are in the 70s? In upstate South Carolina we’re out of the 90s at last, but it’s possible (certain) that I’m impatient.
Hi Danielle!! Which plants are interchangeable? Like is bupleurum interchangeable with alchemilla? Which spikes do you find suit bouquets best? Do you ever have any concern about skin irritating plants ? I heard monkshood may make skin sensitive - for bouquets, is that a thing? thank you!!!
As a z9a gardener... cool flowers are a challenge... I never know when it's going to be unreasonably hot on the shoulders. To the deep south gardeners, what and when do you plant?
So my cerinthe re seeded and sprouted this past summer, they overwintered. I wasn't to thrilled about them last year, have you ever used cerinthe in your garden?
Question: how do you water your garden if you do not own a hose?By the way, I loved this video and now I'm planning my first cool flower planting. Inspired! ❤
Thanks for introducing us to Lisa. She's been a great source of info and encouragement just as you have been. I come back to your channel repeatedly for the wonderful flowers and info you provide. Are you adding any flowers to your fall planting given the new warmer zone designations? Thanks for everything.
I truly appreciate this video. I’ve been thinking about trying the cool flowers planting method for a couple years now, but I’ve felt too intimidated. Now, between Lisa’s book and your video, I think I feel confident enough to give it a go. Thank you!
Thank you for this terrific info. I am trying this for the first time this year. Do you thin the seedlings later in the fall or do you wait until spring?
hi I'm in Pittsburgh and this is the first year I have dill in my garden. Do I just let it go to seed and expect it to come back next year? I planted bachelor button from seed two years ago, from seed, in the spring. It did well the first year but this past spring/summer, it did incredibly well. I actually took a big cutting of a mostly dead stalk and laid it on top of another area in the garden I'd like it to grow - hoping the seeds will fall out there. I'm still getting my head wrapped around this top of cool gardening - especially excited about snapdragons! thanks so much!!
Thank you so very much! First time, soil blocking, cut flower grower this past summer. Petrified to even entertain the thought of fall direct seed planting!!!😬 you just gave me a whole new feeling about that! What an encouragement you are to me!! I'm also in 6b, however, in Idaho... I'm definitely going to try at least 2 of my cool season annuals that can be Fall planted, this year! Thank you so very much!!! ❤️🩷
I'm getting ready to direct sow some cool flowers this weekend. After germination, how often should you water these small plants? By that time, it's going to be super cold outside.
Love this video! Thank you for the step by step instructions. I prepped by soil last weekend with compost and top soil. I also added perlite because I noticed poor drainage. Then we had a couple of days of torrential rain in my zone 7A therefore I did not sow my seeds. Now my soil feels hard and compacted like clay. Any suggestions on how to fix this issue?
Afternoon Danielle, since Lisa's book has been out, have you heard of any other cool flowers that she didn't cover in her book? I know people are constantly trying out different things to see if they are cool hardy annuals, but just like you said on the internet you can find varying opinions, so I was wondering if you've heard of any tried and true new cool hardy annuals to add to the list. I know Lisa is putting out a new book in February of 2024 which she may cover some new flowers and I even think on her website under cool flower seeds there are some new ones that aren't in her book. Just wondering if you have come across any new ones?
Hi Latisha! I would definitely consider cerinthe a cool flower. I’ve also heard Lisa mention statice and atriplex. I’ve tried cerinthe in very early spring direct sown and statice as a transplant at that time. They both worked well 6 weeks before the last frost in 6b. I’ve never grown atriplex.
Great video! Thank you very much for the detailed information which makes it super easy to apply the instructions on sowing cool flowers to my specific growing conditions (in Sweden…)!
Question about amaryllis and iris in beds. I love both but have had a hard time placing them in beds. What are good aspects and companions for amaryllis and iris in the garden?
I've enjoyed learning so much about flower gardening from you and am always looking forward to your next video! TY for all the information you've given me!
I might be late to the party, but one of the best tips I ever heard with regard to keeping the soil moist until germination is to cover it. Depending on your sowing pattern and whether the given plant needs light to germinate, it can be done with a slat of wood (trenches), landscaping fabric or thick plastic sheet.
Thank you for this most useful video Danielle ! I think we can’t get enough information on cool flowers. I also bought the book 3 years ago and this year, I really tried my best to do things in time. I saw most of my cool flowers in the sun, beginning of August, in order to transplant them now but my Calendula grew so well that they have buds and already want to bloom now 😨
Wow, thanks for this information. I had no idea this kind of seeding for annuals could be done. I live in zone 7a so I think I’ll try this. I don’t have the kind of space you do but I want to try it as an experiment. This is so cool.
Omg I just have to rewatch this. I’d love more videos on this, I love it. When to plant, how to plant, how you do it. Doing it with you. Grow a long. ❤
The squirrels pulled out all my seedlings that I left on the ground. They pulled them out so nicely with roots and stems intact. I give them credit for gentleness. But now I’ve put in shelves and sowing more seeds ❤
I have a delphinium that I started in the house in February. Now it's in a 4x4 pot. Will it be safe to plant it in the garden bed now and cover it when we have snow and freezing ice and hope it will bloom in the spring. It should be 1 year old by then. Thank you in advance, Laurie
