Plants that have been available at our 'Free Seeds because We Love Bees' station
-
Mexican Marigolds
-
Cow Pen Daisies
-
Plains Coreopsis
-
Thai Basil
-
Catnip
-
Rock Roses
-
Serrano Peppers
Below you'll find basic care instructions. If you'd like more detailed information about the plant (as well as more photographs!) please find the seed you are looking for, then scroll down to the bottom of the informational section on it and follow the link provided. It will take you to a bigger breakdown of ours!
Mexican Marigolds - Garden Classic
- Loves full sun - they can handle direct sunlight for long stretches. They do need a little bit of protection during the hottest parts of Texas summers, or expect to cut them down and resow just before the beginning of fall.
- Direct sow (this means put it directly in the ground) is best, cover with very little soil. Marigolds need a little bit of sunlight to germinate so they do not need to be buried deeply.
- Sow in spring/fall. They do not handle the freeze very well, but are tolerant and easy to grow during most other weather conditions. They reseed easily, and will continue to grow/return seasonally if you drop the withered flowers at the base of the plant.
- If wanting to harvest your own seeds; Clip the dead flower heads, wait until completely dry and pull the middle out. You'll have free seeds forever!
Mexican Marigolds - MORE DETAILED Grow Guide Page
Cowpen Daisies - Native Flower
- Loves full sun - they can handle direct sunlight for long stretches. They can handle even the hottest, driest stretches of Texas summers.
- Direct sow (this means put it directly in the ground) is best, cover with very little soil. Cow pen daisies, like marigolds, also need a little bit of sunlight to germinate so they do not need to be buried deeply. Make sure to spread your seeds out, their gemination rate is high and they get pretty big, so a little goes a long way!
- Sow in spring/fall. They are tolerant to most weather conditions, reseed very easily, and will return until you remove them/the freeze kills them.
- If wanting to harvest your own seeds; when the flower head is completely dried, clip the top, rub thumb over it top, and you'll have free seeds forever!
Cowpen Daisy - MORE DETAILED Grow Guide Page
Plains Coreopsis - Native Flower
- Loves full sun - They do need a little bit of protection during the hottest parts of Texas summers, or expect to cut them down and resow just before the beginning of fall.
- Direct sow (this means put it directly in the ground) is best, cover with very little soil. Coreopsis need a little bit of sunlight to germinate so they do not need to be buried deeply.
- Sow in spring/fall.
- If wanting to harvest your own seeds; when the flower head is completely dried, clip the top, rub thumb over it top, and you'll have free seeds forever! These seeds are VERY tiny!
Plains Coreopsis - MORE DETAILED Grow Guide Page
Thai Basil - Edible Herb
- Full/Part Shade. They need shade during the hotter, drier stretches of summers in Texas/the south.
- Can start indoors, but does just fine direct sow, once freeze has passed.
- Sow in spring/fall. They are pretty tolerant to most weather conditions once established. They reseed easily, and will continue to grow/return seasonally if you drop the withered flowers at the base of the plant.
- If wanting to harvest your own seeds; when the stalk of flowers is completely dry, rub the bulky dried pieces between your fingers over a plate or bowl, then package them for the following season!
Thai Basil - MORE DETAILED Grow Guide Page
Catnip - Edible Herb
- Part Shade. These do better with morning sun, but need shade for the rest of the day.
- Can start indoors, but does just fine direct sow, once freeze has passed.
- Sow in spring/fall. They are pretty tolerant to heat, but may struggle a little during the hottest part of the summer. They reseed easily, and will continue to grow/return seasonally if you drop the withered flowers at the base of the plant. These will spread pretty quickly if you aren't careful/do not clip the flowers every so often!
- If wanting to harvest your own seeds; when the stalk of flowers is completely dry, rub the bulky dried pieces between your fingers over a plate or bowl, then package them for the following season!
Catnip - MORE DETAILED Grow Guide Page
Rock Roses - Texas Native Flower
- Full sun - These do best with a full day of sun, but will tolerate a little bit of shade. Not enough sun can have negative impacts on the amount of flowers that will bloom. Blooms look similar to hibiscus.
- Direct sow after frost has passed. For best success - pre soak the seeds in warm water for 24-28 hours first. These seeds have a harder shell and it will help them germinate in a more consistent pacing. These also need light to geminate, so do not bury them deeply with soil, a sprinkle of soil/sand over the top is often enough. They also surprisingly prefer poor/sandy soil conditions instead of dense/rich soil.
- Sow in spring/fall. They bloom from April to November and tolerate heat/drought very well once established.
- If wanting to harvest your own seeds; after the flower is spent, you'll notice circular shapes nodules inside the greenery. Wait until those turn brown, then collect them (wait until fully dry) and bag/jar them up for the next season. Or scatter them around the base of the plant if you're wanting to encourage nature to do it's own thing and take over the space!
Rock Roses - MORE DETAILED Grow Guide Page
Serrano Peppers - Produces Edible Hot Peppers
- Loves full sun - they can handle direct sunlight for longer stretches, but do need a little bit of shade during the hottest, driest stretches of summer. If they are too stressed, they will not flower as well, producing less peppers.
- Direct sow after last frost has passed OR Start indoors 8 weeks before you want to plant outside.
- Sow in spring/fall. They can not handle freezing weather, but are tolerant and easy to grow during most other weather conditions.
- If wanting to harvest your own seeds; wait until the pepper ripens all the way to red, then collect the seeds inside.
0 comments