Hey everyone! I'm new to gardening and I'm starting my first garden this year in Pfafftown, NC, which might be in zone 7b or 8a (there's some debate on that). I've got some native perennial seeds ready to go. Half of them are chilling in the fridge for another 3-4 weeks, but the other half can go straight into the ground. I also have some seedlings about an inch tall that I started indoors.
My big question is whether I can (or should) plant my seeds directly into the mulch, or if it's better to plant them in the ground first and then add mulch later when they're a bit taller. My father-in-law thinks we can just put down the mulch and then bury the seeds all at once, but that seems a little off based on what I've read. We're heading out of town for a week soon, so I was thinking about planting before we leave and then mulching later around mid to late May if all goes well.
The seeds I have are: Milkweed, smooth beardtongue, Nash's blue-eyed grass, purple prairie clover, Indian blanket, creeping thyme, and spiked blazing star. Plus, I've got some tulip bulbs that have been sitting in my basement for two years. Any advice would be appreciated!
2 Answers
You definitely want to plant your seeds directly in the ground before adding mulch! The mulch can block sunlight and make it tough for the seeds to sprout. After your plants are a bit taller, then go ahead and add the mulch around them to help with moisture and keep those pesky weeds at bay! Also, if the ground is hard, raking may not be enough. You might want to till it a bit to give those seeds a better chance.
Yeah, I'd say plant first, then mulch later. The way mulch works, you want to let your seedlings establish a bit before covering them up. And don't worry too much about needing to till if the ground's wet enough; just breaking up the surface should do! Plus, it sounds like you’ve got a fun mix of seeds going on. Best of luck!
Totally agree! And if you do end up raking, just be gentle with it. You want to make sure the seeds have a nice cozy spot to get going!