Hardy Annuals to Direct Seed Now For Next Year

Cool flowers you can plant now to get a head start for next year

Larkspur — Photo by Author

As we head into the crisp days of fall, I’m excited to get my hands back into the soil and begin one of my favorite gardening tasks — direct seeding hardy annuals. At a time when the garden is looking tired, I can dream of what my garden will look like next year.

This week, I’m direct seeding a few favorites: larkspur, bells of Ireland, bupleurum, and love-in-a-mist (nigella). These beauties have a special place in my garden, not only because of their charm but also because they’re tough enough to handle my unpredictable West Virginia weather.

I’ve always loved the idea of direct seeding in the fall. It’s a little act of faith, tucking tiny seeds into the ground with the hope that they’ll survive the winter and bloom in the spring. Plus, these hardy annuals are perfect for this time of year. They thrive when planted now, allowing them to establish strong roots over the cooler months before bursting into life as soon as the weather warms up again. In fact, your plants will be larger and stronger and will thank you with glorious blooms next year!

First up, I’m planting larkspur. There’s something magical about those tall spires of delicate blooms swaying in the breeze, and I always…