Altheabyanothername said:
Reseeding also has its downfalls you never know where they will pop up and it takes longer to get flowers. Either buying flats or starting your own seeds can give you flowers at least two months earlier than reseeds. I do all of the above because you can never have enough flowers! Many blessings for the success of your garden!
In my area, self sown plants develop better root systems, and produce far more flowers than anyone ever gets from flats.
Generally, annuals purchased in bloom are finished.... Better enjoy the blooms, because those are all you are going to get!
My personal experience is that self sown plants do far better in my area than even spring sown seed!
Zinnias transplant extremely easily, so those "volunteer" plants are a piece of cake to dig and replant where desired....
Of course at my house in the subtropical sunlight and the dry sand.... I need to do a multi-step procedure with my transplants.....
1)Dig out of ground
2) pot up in individual gallon nursery pots
3)place in shade for a week
4) move into gradually increasing sunlight
5)eventually set plants out in garden as desired.
Moving stuff around in my garden without the extra steps.... Kills the plants....
But... Up in Illinois.... You can practically pull stuff without even using a shovel, plant it, and it will grow without missing a beat.
I used to know a woman that lived in the smoky mountains who transplanted stuff by pulling it out of the ground.... And tossing it whereshe wanted it... No planting necessary!
Gardening conditions vary tremendously...
