VibeX Bells Of Ireland Seed  (50 per packet)

A colorful combo for delightful bouquets Full Description This collection includes everything you need to turn your garden into a colorful haven of flowers for beautiful bouquets. For full sun locations. Includes one packet each of: 'Cut & Come Again' Zinnia Mix - Our favorite double zinnia. Long-stemmed flowers in pink, bright scarlet, yellow, salmon, and white. The more you cut, the more they bloom! 'Moluccella Laevis' Bells of Ireland - This unique heirloom has unique green bell-shaped bracts that turn straw-colored when dried. An excellent choice for cut flower arrangements! 'Procut Plum' Hybrid Sunflower - A dazzling new sunflower with plum petals circling a big black, pollenless eye. 'Rosetta' Cosmos - Delightful red-pink and white striped petals and golden-yellow eyes fill vase after vase all summer long!.Sowing Directly in the Garden: Prechilling the seeds for 1-2 weeks at about 40 degrees F can aid germination. Direct sow seeds in average soil with good drainage in full sun after danger of heavy frost. Prepare the soil by removing weeds and working organic matter into the top 6-8 inches of soil; then level and smooth. Most plants respond well to soils amended with organic matter. Compost is a wonderful form of organic matter with a good balance of nutrients and an ideal pH level, it can be added to your planting area at any time. If compost is not available, top dress the soil after planting with 1-2 inches of organic mulch, which will begin to breakdown into compost. After the growing season, a soil test will indicate what soil amendments are needed for the following season. Sow seeds about 12 inches apart and cover with ¼ inch of fine soil. Firm soil lightly with your hand, water and keep evenly moist. Seedlings will emerge in 7-14 days. Keep weeds under control during the growing season. Weeds compete with plants for water, space and nutrients, so control them by either cultivating often or use a mulch to prevent their seeds from germinating. Mulches also help retain soil moisture and maintain even soil temperatures. For annuals an organic mulch of shredded leaves lends a natural look to the bed and will improve the soil as it breaks down in time. Always keep mulches off a plant’s stems to prevent possible rot. Plants need about 1 inch of rain per week during the growing season. Use a rain gauge to check to see if you need to add water. It's best to water with a drip or trickle system that delivers water at low pressure at the soil level. If you water with overhead sprinklers, water early in the day so the foliage has time to dry off before evening, to minimize disease problems. Keep the soil moist but not saturated. Water moderately and fertilize monthly with a balanced fertilizer. Monitor for pests and diseases. Check with your local Cooperative Extension Service for pest controls recommended for your area. Stake plants while they are still young. Excellent for cut or dried flowers. For fresh use, cut the spikes once they have reached the desired length. For drying, cut them when the calyxes are still green or as they begin to turn beige. Bells of Ireland adds unusual color and texture to the beds and borders.