what do I need to grow this fall?
AUGUST 02, 2024
A weekly crash course on one thing you can implement right away to be a better gardener.
So many of you are gearing up to grow corms, bulbs, and seedlings this fall.
(Literally, that handful could be YOU, this March!)
Over and over I'm being asked “what do I need to buy?” and “how much space do I need to grow X many corms?” So let's get right to it!
I've structured this email to go from least to most supplies! Hopefully this way everyone can find a bloom they can grow this fall!
Here are the shopping lists by category to grow beautiful blooms this fall!
01. Direct Sown Seeds
POPPY, BACHELOR'S BUTTON, CORN COCKLE, ORLAYA, SWEET PEAS AND BLUEBONNET:
Low Maintenance!
These seeds can be sprinkled directly on an open garden bed - so all you really need is a spot with 6+ hours of sun, with a couple of inches of compost on top.
These are a great option for someone who wants blooms without a ton of startup costs. Have these sprinkled by 6 weeks prior to your first frost - in Houston, that's mid October!
Shopping list: compost, seeds
02. Bulbs
TULIP, DAFFODIL, HYACINTH, AND MUSCARI:
Easy Bloomers!
Bulbs are slightly fussy to grow in the South because we don't have enough "chill hours" to get them to bloom - but we have a solution for that! If you want to grow these flowers - make sure you have your bulbs in the fridge in October, and you can plant them after 8 weeks of refrigeration.
OR YOU CAN SAVE THE FRIDGE SPACE and buy pre-chilled bulbs from Bungalow Blooms this fall!
Either way, these bulbs need excellent drainage to prevent rotting!
Shopping List: pots or raised bed, well draining soil, pre chilled bulbs
03. Corms
RANUNCULUS+ANEMONE:
Like bulbs, but fussier
These gorgeous flowers need all the same things as bulbs, except they can't tolerate freezing temperature. To ensure you don't lose your plants to a surprise freeze, have frost cloth on hand. Furthermore, frost cloth can't touch the leaves - so I like to make hoops with PVC or push stakes into the ground
Other than that, they need all the same things as bulbs! Note that each corm needs about 9" of space, and I'll make sure to have info about this as we get closer to planting time!
Shopping List: corms, pots or raised bed, well-draining soil, frost cloth, stakes or hoops, and landscape staples.
04. Indoor Sown Seeds
SNAPDRAGONS, DELPHINIUM, LARKSPUR, NIGELLA, FOXGLOVE, STOCK:
For the all-out gardener.
These seeds are started indoors, then taken outdoors - they require quite a bit of care, but will be the blooms that carry you all spring long.
Additionally, many of these varities can grow to be several feet tall, so having a plan for support is important!
Shopping list: seeds, grow lights + shelf, seed trays or soil blocker, seed starting mix, heat mat (optional), well draining soil (could be a landscape bed that has been amended well), stakes + twine or netting for support.
This month, I'll be releasing a calendar telling you when to plant all these - adding a more accessible resource for those who are on the fence about the grow along!
If you haven't heard about the grow along yet: it's a 6 month course. September through February, you get a video directly to your inbox where I will teach you everything you need to grow ALL of the above flowers successfully.
Want more support that that? Add on back-pocket-garden-coaching, and join our live group chat where you can text questions in the moment, pictures of your successes and questions, and get real-time feedback from me!
No matter how you choose to grow this fall, I'm so excited to be along for the journey! Question box is open every Wednesday, but don't hesitate to hit reply if you have a question!
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