Kirkwood Spring Fling: Seed Starting Instructions
🌱 You Planted a Seed — Now What?
Harvesting from our Kitchen Garden at Home!
Hi There! Daniel and Sarah here. We had so much fun meeting you at the Kirkwood Spring Fling, and we’re so glad you joined us for planting something that can nourish you and the ecosystem!
Whether you planted sunflowers, zinnias, or bush beans, here’s how to care for your seedling and help it thrive at home.
🪴 Seedling Care Basics
1. Leave the plastic dome on (for now!)
Place your cup in a warm, sunny spot like a windowsill. The dome keeps the soil moist while your seed gets started.
2. Water gently
Check the soil daily. It should be slightly damp but not soggy. You want to water very gently in order to not displace the seeds, so my preferred method is using a spray bottle.
3. When it sprouts…
Once you see green leaves pushing through, remove the dome. Keep your seedling in a bright location and continue to water lightly as needed. Try to not let them dry out completely, as they are very delicate at this stage.
4. Ready to move?
In about 2–3 weeks, when your seedling has a few sets of leaves and looks sturdy, it’s time to transplant into a garden bed or larger pot.
🌻 What You Planted
Click below for full instructions on each plant:
Zinnia
Sunlight: Full sun (6+ hours/day)
Spacing: 8–12 inches apart
Soil: Well-drained, average garden soil
Watering: Water at the base of the plant; avoid wetting the leaves
Tip: Deadhead spent blooms to encourage more flowers!
Zinnias are pollinator magnets and bloom all summer long. Great for cut flower bouquets and attracting pollinators to a veggie garden!
Sunflower
Sunlight: Full sun
Spacing: 12–18 inches apart (depending on variety)
Soil: Loose, well-drained soil — they love space to grow roots
Watering: Deep, occasional watering once established
Tip: Support taller varieties with stakes if needed. If you leave the flowers to dry, you’ll be able to collect sunflower seeds to eat (or leave them for the birds!)
Sunflowers grow fast and tall — and they bring bees, birds, and smiles!
Bush Beans
Sunlight: Full sun
Spacing: 4–6 inches apart. I love to add them to the edges of a raised garden bed where they can hang over or under a taller vegetable flower - they serve as a “natural mulch”
Soil: Well-drained, warm soil
Watering: Keep soil moist but not soggy
Tip: No need to fertilize heavily — beans fix their own nitrogen!
Bush beans are easy for kids to grow and delicious to pick and eat right from the plant. 🌼 Keep Growing with Us!
