Starting perennial seeds indoors in Florida

by Laura
(Florida)

I live in zone 9 Florida. We will be laying out a perennial garden towards the end of the summer. Can I start seeds now (May 1) indoors, harden off outdoors as plants grow, then plant in the garden late summer/early fall for next years flowering? Or should I wait until early spring next year for seed planting?

Doug says you don't say what you're trying to start but let me slip in some bad news. If you're trying to start growing many of the traditional northern perennials - then you're going to be disapointed. A zone 9 doesn't get enough cold weather to get them to go dormant and recover enough to start blooming again.

If you're trying to grow tropical plants as perennials, then sorry, I'm not the guy to ask.

Otherwise, just avoid planting them out in the heat of your summer - plant about 12 weeks before you want to put in the garden. That should give you enough time to get them large enough in a 4-inch pot to go outside.

Good luck