The Spectacular Spring-Blooming Flower That's Easy To Start From Seed In March

March is an exciting time for gardeners. Not only are spring bulbs finally making an appearance, but it's also the ideal time to start many vegetable and flower seeds. While starting flowers from seed may sound intimidating, it doesn't have to be difficult, especially if you grow flowers whose seeds germinate and grow easily. It's not just about the ease of growing though — you likely want flowers that will reward you with years of spring and summer blooms as well. This is why carnations (Dianthus caryophyllus) top the list of must grow flowers to start in March.

While you may associate carnations primarily with the small pink flowers that are sometimes given on Valentines Day, they're far more than just that. They come in a range of colors and many also have an amazing scent. If you're a seed starting novice, carnations are great flowers to start with since, as long as you're patient, they generally germinate well even without heat mats. 

Carnation seeds are widely available from reputable seed sellers, so you should be able to easily find seeds for the perfect stunning carnations for your home and garden. Because the seeds are so small, they are also sometimes sold in pelleted form to make them easier to work with. Check the expected last frost date for your region and plan to start your seeds about a month and a half or two months before then. For many, though not all, parts of the United States this will likely be sometime in March.

To start your carnation seeds, begin by filling your seed starting containers with moist seed starting mix or hydrating your peat pellets, if you prefer to use those. Surface sow your carnation seeds onto the peat or potting soil. There's no need to cover the tiny seeds with more soil. If you have a heat mat, you can set it to around 70 degrees Fahrenheit and place the seed tray on it. Otherwise, just put the seeds in a room around that temperature, and give your seeds a bit more time to germinate. You may also want to place a humidity dome over your seeds or place them inside a clear plastic bag until they germinate.

Once your seeds spout, take the seedlings off the heat mat, remove your humidity dome, and place the seedlings either on a sunny south facing window sill or under grow lights. Water regularly to keep the soil moist but not soggy. If you are growing in peat pellets or other small containers, your carnations will likely need to be transplanted into a larger container around the time they have two or three true leaves. This is also when you should begin fertilizing your carnation seedlings weekly, using a diluted liquid fertilizer. 

After the danger of frost has passed, you can begin the process to harden off your plants. When they are ready, transplant the carnation seedlings into your garden. Find a good spot where they can receive full to part sun and have well draining soil. Don't forget to deadhead your carnations after they bloom.