Garden Cosmos - Picotee

300 seeds

🗓️ When to Sow

• Indoors: Start 4–6 weeks before your last frost date.

• Outdoors: Direct sow after the last frost, when soil has warmed (around 18–21°C / 65–70°F).

🌱 How to Sow

✅ Indoors (for earlier blooms)

1. Prepare Containers

   • Use small pots or trays with well-draining seed-starting mix.

2. Sow Seeds

   • Sow ¼ inch (6 mm) deep.

   • Cover lightly with soil and press down gently.

3. Watering

   • Keep the soil evenly moist (not soggy).

   • Mist or bottom-water to avoid displacing seeds.

4. Temperature & Light

   • Keep at 18–24°C (65–75°F).

   • Germination takes 7–10 days.

   • Provide bright light after sprouting.

5. Transplanting

   • When seedlings have 2–3 true leaves, pot up if needed.

   • Harden off outdoors for 7–10 days before transplanting.

✅ Direct Sowing (Very Easy)

1. Choose a Sunny Spot

   • Cosmos love full sun (6+ hours/day).

   • Soil should be well-draining and not overly rich (rich soil = fewer flowers).

2. Sow Seeds

   • Sow seeds ¼ inch deep directly into prepared soil.

   • Space 12–18 inches (30–45 cm) apart for airflow and full blooms.

   • Water gently to settle soil.

3. Germination

   • Keep soil moist until germination (about 1 week in warm weather).

🌿 Growing Notes

• Height: 36–48 inches (90–120 cm); may need staking in windy areas.

• Bloom Time: Mid-summer to frost.

• Watering: Water moderately; drought-tolerant once established.

• Deadheading: Encourages continuous flowering.

• Soil: Prefers lean to average soil — avoid excess fertilizer.