Dwarf Garden Balsam Mixed

1. Sowing Indoors or Outdoors:

   - Indoors: Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.

     - Sow seeds on the surface of a moist, well-draining seed-starting mix, lightly pressing them down but not covering them as they need light to germinate.

     - Maintain a temperature of 65–70°F (18–21°C) and keep the soil moist. Germination typically takes 10–15 days.

   - Outdoors: Direct sow seeds outdoors after the last frost date. Plant them in a sunny location in early spring or late summer for fall blooms.

     - Plant seeds 1/8–1/4 inch deep, and space them 6–10 inches apart.

2. Sunlight and Soil:

   - Sunlight: Dwarf Garden Balsam thrives in full sun to partial shade. For the best blooms, aim for 6 hours of direct sunlight per day.

   - Soil: It prefers loamy, well-drained soil that is moist but not waterlogged. A slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0–7.0) is ideal.

3. Watering:

   - Water regularly, keeping the soil moist but not soggy. Balsam plants prefer consistent moisture, especially during hot weather.

   - Be sure to water at the base of the plants to prevent wetting the leaves, which can cause fungal diseases.

4. Care:

   - Thinning: Once the seedlings have a few leaves, thin them to 6–10 inches apart to give them room to grow and prevent overcrowding.

   - Mulch: Apply a light mulch around the plants to help retain moisture and keep weeds at bay.

   - Pinching: To encourage bushy growth and more blooms, pinch back the tips of the plants when they are about 6–8 inches tall.

5. Blooming and Maintenance:

   - Dwarf Garden Balsam is known for its bright, vibrant blooms in shades of pink, red, white, and purple, typically appearing in mid-summer to fall.

   - After flowering, you can deadhead the spent flowers to encourage more blooming or leave the seed heads to self-sow.

6. General Tips:

   - Dwarf Garden Balsam is perfect for container gardening, borders, and hanging baskets due to its compact size and colorful flowers.

   - These plants are fairly low-maintenance but are susceptible to downy mildew if they are watered from above or if the soil stays too wet. Make sure to water at the base and provide good air circulation.

Dwarf Garden Balsam Mixed is a lovely choice for adding color to small garden spaces or containers. Its compact growth makes it perfect for smaller gardens, and it’s a great plant for attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies!