All the Dirt on Gardening

In all the zones from 2 to 11, China Asters add a cheerful face to the early summer garden. Maxing out at 2 or 3 feet tall with strong stems for cutting bouquets, these beauties can be started from seed and bloom the same year. their flower colors include: White, pink, purple, blue, yellow and violet.  Aster Andrella Giant Ray They are easy to grow and prefer well drained beds that are watered regularly. In our heat they will need afternoon shade. The seeds are started indoors 8 weeks before the last average frost date. Since our last average freeze is April 15th here, they would be started mid-February. Just press the seed into the pre-moistened planting soil, do not bury the seed or cover it. Seed germination can be slow and or spotty so buy plenty of seed and start early enough. They like 70 degrees to germinate so if your seed starting area is really cold, you'll have to add a little bottom heat to get them going. Since our heat can be brutal pretty early in...