Alright, let’s talk about them Canterbury bells, the ones that look like little cups, you know? Folks call ’em cup-and-saucer flowers too. Real pretty, they are. Now, plantin’ ’em from seeds, that’s what we’re here for, ain’t it? It ain’t rocket science, but you gotta do it right, or you’ll end up with nothin’ but dirt.
First things first, you gotta get your hands on some seeds. You can buy ’em at the store, or maybe your neighbor’s got some extra. Don’t matter much where you get ’em, as long as they’re good seeds. Now, when to plant ’em? That’s the big question. You see, these flowers, they like it cool. So, you don’t wanna go plantin’ ’em in the middle of summer when it’s hotter than a furnace. Best time is early spring, after that last frost has gone and done its thing.
- Early spring is key, mind you. Don’t rush it, or them little seeds will freeze their butts off.
- If you’re feelin’ fancy, you can start ’em inside, ’bout six to eight weeks before that last frost. That gives ’em a head start, you know?
Now, if you’re startin’ ’em inside, you’ll need some little pots or trays, and some dirt. Don’t just use any old dirt from the yard, though. Get yourself some of that seed-starting mix. It’s got all the good stuff in it to help them seeds sprout. Put a few seeds in each pot, not too many, and just barely cover ’em up with dirt. Then, you gotta keep ’em moist. Not soakin’ wet, mind you, just damp. Like a wrung-out sponge, that’s how I like it.
Once them seeds sprout, and they got a few leaves, you gotta give ’em some light. A sunny window is good, but if you ain’t got that, a grow light will do the trick. Just don’t leave ’em in the dark, or they’ll get all leggy and weak. And keep ’em watered, but not too much. You don’t wanna drown ’em.
Now, when the weather’s nice and cool, and that frost is long gone, it’s time to plant them little fellers outside. Find a spot where they’ll get some sun, but not too much. Morning sun is best, I reckon. And make sure the dirt is loose and drains well. Canterbury bells don’t like to sit in wet feet. Dig a little hole, big enough for the roots, and plop ’em in. Then, pat the dirt around ’em real good.
And don’t forget to feed ’em! Just like us, plants gotta eat. Get yourself some fertilizer, the kind that’s good for flowers, and give ’em a little snack every now and then. Not too much, though, or you’ll burn ’em up. Just follow the directions on the bag, and you’ll be fine.
So, you got them planted, and you’re waterin’ ’em and feedin’ ’em, and they’re growin’ up all nice and tall. Then, you’ll see them little buds startin’ to form. And pretty soon, you’ll have a whole bunch of them beautiful bell-shaped flowers. They come in all sorts of colors, too. Pink, purple, white… Real purdy, they are. And if you deadhead them spent blooms they are more likely to give you more. Just snip off them old flowers, and the plant will put its energy into makin’ new ones.
So, that’s about it. Plantin’ Canterbury bells from seeds ain’t so hard, is it? Just remember, cool weather, good dirt, and plenty of sunshine, and you’ll have a garden full of them pretty flowers in no time. And don’t forget to keep the soil moist, especially when they’re just starting out. That’s the key to getting them seeds to sprout. Now get out there and get your hands dirty!
Tags: [Canterbury Bells, Seeds, Planting, Flowers, Gardening, Spring, How-to]
