Important Seed Germination Instructions

While we guarantee the quality of every seed, germination success ultimately depends on many variables—like your local climate, planting techniques, and timing.

Explore our free Seed-Starting Videos, and Soil Blocking Information to help you grow with confidence. Lisa also highly recommends The Cool-Season Flower Chronicles Series.

Find your USDA Plant Hardiness Zone

For each seed you’re planting, you first need to know…

  • When to plant it
  • How to plant it
  • The environmental conditions it requires to germinate after planting 

… yes, they’re all different! The good news?

The info you need is printed on our seed packs! On the white side of the seed pack, each has either “Cool” or “Warm” written in the top right corner indicating whether they are cool-season hardy annuals or warm-season tender annuals. 

When To Plant Your Seeds

  • WARM: plant in spring and summer; will grow and bloom during your frost-free season.
  • COOL: plant in fall and/or very early spring, depending on your winter hardiness zone and your first & last average frost dates. Will grow and bloom during spring and early-mid summer, depending on your climate. 

How To Plant Your Seeds

This information is printed in the “Planting Tips” section on the white side of our seed packs.

  • Does this seed germinate best when planted indoors, or directly out in the garden?
  • Does the seed need to be planted with soil covering it, or on the surface of the soil?

Follow these instructions closely for the best possible germination.

Indoor Environmental Conditions Required for Germination

Refer again to the “Cool” or “Warm” indicator in the top right corner on the white side of the seed pack. 

  • WARM: Soil temperature (not air temp) must be consistently warm (70°F-85°F) until germination. When planted indoors, this requires a seedling heat mat. Without one, soil temp is 15°F-20°F BELOW air temperature. 
  • COOL: Require soil temps about 15°F-20°F cooler than warm-season seeds. When planted indoors, we recommend a seedling heat mat with a cookie cooling rack placed on top to provide a slightly lower (but still consistent) heat level.

For both, keep soil moist until about half of the seeds show signs of cracking open, then transfer off heat and place under a grow light. Seeds will continue to germinate after they’re transferred off the heat mat.  

Outdoor (Direct-Sown) Conditions Required for Germination

Refer again to the “Cool” or “Warm” indicator in the top right corner on the white side of the seed pack.

  • WARM: We find that all warm-season seeds germinate best when started indoors, free of weather fluctuations, pests, and weed pressure. We don’t recommend sowing them directly in the garden.  
  • COOL: Only for those varieties that germinate best when direct-sown (refer to directions in “Planting Tips” on seed pack), plant seeds 6-8 weeks before your first fall frost (if winter hardy in your zone), and/or 6-8 weeks before your last spring frost. 

Germination Tips & Tricks 
View the full Seed Starting Moments Series

Flower Seed Starting Easy Guide- How To Get Started In 10 Steps
View the full guide.

Our Promise to You

We take great pride in growing fresh-cut flowers right here on our farm using the very same seed inventory we ship to our customers. Every seed packet we send out meets or exceeds our standards for quality and performance on our working flower farm.

Because growing from seed depends on many factors beyond our control—such as timing, environmental conditions, and individual growing practices—we cannot guarantee your success with seed germination. Once your order leaves our farm, the outcome depends on variables unique to your growing situation.

We’re here to help you succeed! Be sure to explore the free seed-starting videos, how-to guides, and troubleshooting resources available on our website—all based on real-world experience from Lisa and The Gardener’s Workshop team. For questions or concerns regarding seed germination, please refer to our free resources available on this page. 

We accept returns of clean, unopened seeds in their original packaging within 60 days of the original purchase date. After 60 days, all seed sales are final. Seed exchanges/refunds are not accepted for failed germination. Please note: Returns not due to an error on our part (such as change of mind or incorrect item ordered) will be subject to a 15% restocking fee, which will be deducted from your refund.