Perennial Flower Starter Kit Guide

Congratulations! You’re holding everything you need to start growing a perennial flower garden from seed. Perennial flowers are an easy way to welcome local butterflies and hummingbirds to your garden. These five beautiful flowers will be a welcome sight to you year after year.

•  Start by following the instructions for hydrating the soil discs. Once the soil is expanded and in pots, you are ready to start planting. 
• Plant the flower seeds in each pot according to the instructions for each specific seed packet.

• Water by misting until the seeds start to sprout.

• Take care that the seeds don’t dry out too quickly - seeds need to stay moist but not waterlogged to sprout.

• A dome can help retain moisture. Keep the dome on until they begin to sprout.

• Once the seedlings are growing, continue to keep the soil moist. Less frequent but deep watering will encourage root growth.

• The pot should not dry out completely between waterings, just the top layer of soil.

• As the plants grow, water only the soil, keeping the plants dry.

Now that you’ve got your flowers growing and the watering down, you’ll want to consider the other thing that plants need – food. The soil that comes in your kit has added amendments that create a fertile growing environment. So when you transplant to a garden or larger pots, you may need to add fertilizer.

To reach their full potential, perennial flowers need to be transplanted outdoors. The biodegradable fiber pots will make transplanting less stressful for tender flower seedlings with minimal root disturbance.

Tender flower seedlings need time to adjust to outdoor conditions. Over the course of a week, harden off the flower plants by placing them outside. Start with just a few hours a day and gradually increase the exposure time—no need to rush. Take your time and ensure all danger of frost is past before transplanting.

Adding organic matter (compost and/or leaves) to your garden beds before transplanting can help supplement the additional nutrients your plants need as they grow.  

The fiber pots can easily be planted directly into the garden. When soil and outside temperatures are above 60ºF, follow the directions on transplanting the biodegradable pots.

• Soak the pot in water to soften the fibers.

• Break open the sides of the pot with your hands and bury the pot completely in the soil.

• Water the newly transplanted seedlings.

• Thin out your seedlings early on once they have sprouted. Remove some sprouts to make room for the largest and strongest of them to grow without competition. 

• Flowers need full sun for optimal blooming. Therefore, choose a location where they can receive at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily.

• For more Flower Growing Tips, visit our Planter’s Library.