I'm wondering how I can stop the seeds that fell from last year's annuals from sprouting next year. I want to change the type of flowers that I plant in a narrow area around a raised fish pond, but I'm concerned that seeds from last year's flowering plants will sprout. I realize I can just pluck out the ones I don't want, but I'm not sure how to tell them apart from the new seed plantings. Any suggestions?

If you know what they are and when they will be germinating, disturb/till the soil at that time. It will interrupt the root formation of most of them. Or will you have new seeds in by then? If so, disturb it now. Some might still stick around, but messing with the soil will thin them. Or, turn the soil completely so the old seeds are buried too deeply to germinate. Any pre-emergent product could kill the new seeds and probably isn't a good idea around your fish pond, either.

Thank you nmoasis, that's a great idea. I'll turn the soil over as soon as the snow melts, again before I plant new seeds.

You're welcome! Good luck

You may well be able to force them up now by watering well and covering with clear plastic sheet. If you're lucky, it not only forces them, but it gets hot enough under plastic to kill them.

What were last years plants?

Last year I had annual flowers. They bloomed all summer long. I don't know exactly what kind they were.

So it is likely they dropped some seed. And there are 'winter' weeds as well that may start, if not already.

Do you plan to put seed down for your next flowers, or buy plants, or start the seed elsewhere?