I scattered a mix of marigold, cosmos, and wildflower seeds, but much of what has come up looks like grass. I can spot a few possible flower seedlings and don’t want to pull them by mistake. How can I tell what to remove?
Is this mostly grass, or should I give my chaos garden more time?
Asked by Ari Sable
Answers
Some of it may well be grass, but I wouldn’t clear the whole patch based on a general grasslike look. Let the seedlings develop a little more, then check for true leaves and compare individual plants with seedling photos of the flowers you sowed. Cosmos and marigolds can look quite different from grass once they have more than their first leaves.
When you’re confident a clump is grass, pull it gently near the base so you don’t disturb nearby seedlings. A close-up of one plant and a wider photo showing where it’s growing will make identification much easier.
Reply to this answer
My read from your description is that there’s probably grass mixed in, but that doesn’t mean the flowers have failed. Grass can fill in quickly and compete with small seedlings, so once you can distinguish it, weed it out rather than waiting for the whole bed to sort itself out.
Look at several plants, not just one. Narrow blades are a clue, not a guarantee, since some flower seedlings start out slender too. If you’re unsure, leave that one and check again in a few days.
Reply to this answer
For a quick check, use a plant ID tool as a lead, not a final answer. Try a sharp close-up of the leaves and another photo of the whole patch, then compare the suggested matches with a reliable seedling guide. Different angles and clearer growth can change the result.
For another sowing, putting the mix in a few loose rows makes early weeding less of a guessing game. You can clear between rows while leaving the seedlings in place.
Reply to this answer
Add your answer
Answers are reviewed before publication.
Ollo Finch:
Taking a picture of the same uncertain seedling again as it grows can help. The next set of leaves often gives you a better comparison than trying to identify it from the first sprout.