Seed germinating & growing instructions

When to plant - Sow seeds directly in the garden after the last frost or start them indoors 4–6 weeks before the last frost.
Where to plant - Marigolds prefer full sun but can tolerate partial shade. They can grow in most zones, from 2–11.
Soil - Marigolds prefer fertile, loose, and loamy soil with good drainage. You can improve poor soil with compost or soil conditioner.
Spacing - Sow seeds 1 inch apart, and thin them to 8–10 inches apart for French or Signet varieties, and 10–12 inches apart for African varieties.
Watering - Water marigolds regularly, especially when they are young. Once established, they are drought-tolerant but bloom best when watered weekly. Allow the soil to almost dry out between waterings.
Pruning - Pinch back early flower buds to encourage bushier plants. Regularly deadhead spent blossoms to keep the plant producing new blooms.
Fertilizing - Use a time-release fertilizer, but avoid fertilizers with a lot of nitrogen. Too much nitrogen can cause marigolds to become bushy.
Mulching - Add a 1–2 inch layer of mulch between the plants to help keep the soil moist and discourage weeds.

When to plant - Plant zinnias in late spring after the last frost and when the soil is warm. Zinnias are short-day plants, so they flower best when the days are shorter, like in early spring.
Where to plant - Zinnias grow best in full sunlight, but in warmer climates, they may benefit from some afternoon shade. They prefer well-drained, neutral, or slightly acidic soil with a pH between 5.5 and 7.5.
How to plant - Sow seeds about 1/4 inch deep and 3 inches apart. You can also start seeds indoors in containers.
Watering - Water zinnias deeply a few times a week so the soil stays moist 6 to 8 inches deep. Avoid overwatering, as zinnias can get rot diseases in wet, clay soils.
Fertilizing - Amend the soil with compost before planting. When flowers start to form, you can use an organic 5-5-5 fertilizer to encourage bigger blossoms.
Mulching - Once zinnias are established, you can mulch with a 2-inch layer of straw or bark to help retain moisture and prevent weeds.
Pinching - Pinch the growth tip of young zinnias to encourage bushier plants with more flowers.
Deadheading - Trim spent flowers to promote more blooming.

Strawflower Care

Here are the most important tips when caring for your strawflower plant:

Plant strawflowers in full sun to promote the most blooms.
Use sandy and rocky soil with a mildly acidic to neutral pH instead of rich, heavy soil.
Feed strawflowers monthly with a balanced flower fertilizer.
Deadhead strawflowers throughout the season to keep them in bloom.
Stake strawflower varieties over three feet tall. Newer cultivars bred to be stocky do not need staking.

Sunlight - Celosia plants need at least six hours of full sun per day. Too much sun can cause the leaves or flowers to brown, so move the plant to a shadier spot if this happens.
Soil - Celosia plants prefer well-drained soil with a pH of 6–6.5 and lots of organic matter, like compost or aged animal manure. You can improve drainage in heavy soils by mixing in sand or compost.
Watering - Water celosia plants deeply but infrequently, when the top 1–2 inches of soil are dry. Overwatering can cause root rot, mildew, and leaf spot.
Fertilizing - Use a balanced fertilizer at the beginning of the season, and then fertilize monthly with a fertilizer that has more phosphorus than nitrogen.
Spacing - Space celosia plants 8–12 inches apart, depending on the cultivar.
Deadheading - Regularly remove spent blooms with clean scissors or pruners to encourage new flowers.
Staking - Stake taller varieties to prevent the stem from breaking.
Pests - Keep plants well-watered and avoid overcrowding to prevent pests like aphids and spider mites.
Starting from seed - Sow seeds in the Spring. You can start your celosia plants from seed in pots before last frost or direct sow in ground. Celosia seeds are tiny, so you only need to plant them about an eighth of an inch deep.
Hardiness - Celosia is usually grown as an annual, but it's a tender perennial in USDA zones 10 and 11.