Flower Gardening in New Jersey

Now that May is here, I’m looking forward to doing some gardening! If you’re like me, you’re no doubt eyeing what’s available at the local garden stores, anxious to get started on your summer gardens! And the good news is that here in NJ, it’s just about time to get planting!

Here in New Jersey, I aim to start my summer gardens after the last frost date, which usually falls somewhere between mid-April and early May—traditionally, many people here wait until about Mother’s Day to plant their summer veggies and flowers. I have lots of flower seeds I want to plant—I really love growing flowers in the summer— I like to plant seeds because it’s an inexpensive way to get big results!

Let’s talk about a few of my favorite summer flowers to grow from seeds—marigolds, cosmos, zinnias and coneflowers—and how I plan to plant them! I’d also love to plant some more lilies for the summer!

Marigolds

Sporting bright yellows and oranges, these are among the easiest and most rewarding flowers to grow. They love warmth, so to be safe, I might plant some outside this week and then wait until the following week to sow the rest. I might see little green marigold sprouts in about a week! Among the pluses of marigolds are that they should bloom all summer and are heat tolerant. There is a new blank area in my yard—it used to be a shaded spot that didn’t get much sun (and nothing much grew there), but since my husband and I had to take a large tree down, it’s now a great place for a sunny flower garden! Even better is that the spot is easily visible from my backyard patio so I can take in the pretty blooms while I relax and sip a delicious summery drink.

Cosmos

Just like marigolds, these graceful flowers can be direct sowed after the last frost. Cosmos actually prefer poorer soil, so they can just be gently scattered and then lightly pressed into the dirt and then watered. Once they’re established, they pretty much take care of themselves, providing airy, delicate blooms all summer long. The variety I selected, Apricotta from Eden Brothers, should pretty tall, so I plan to place them in one of my backyard flower gardens.

Zinnias

Zinnias are one of my favorite flowers! They are easy to grow and thrive in warm soil. They don’t like to be transplanted, but because I’ve had difficulty with earwig bugs that have devoured my seedlings twice one summer, I might try planting some indoors in compostable pots and then transferring them outside once they have a good start! They germinate quickly and start blooming in almost no time—I like to purchase giant varieties for big, tall blooms!

Coneflowers

Coneflowers are a little different since in my gardening zone, 7A, they are perennials—so if they give them a good start, they should return year after year. I can sow them outside around Mother’s Day, after I can be sure the last frost has passed. With any luck, they should bloom mid summer through fall, self seed and return year after year. Plus, they are available in a variety of colors, including red, yellow, orange and white.

Stella D’Oro Lilies

Stella D’oro day lilies are compact, easy-care perennials known for their long bloom season and bright, golden-yellow flowers. Their biggest appeal is how low-maintenance they are—they’re hardy, drought-tolerant once established, and adaptable to most soil types, thriving best in full sun.

Rather than growing from seed, Stella D’oro daylilies are usually planted from divisions (roots) or nursery plants. I have a healthy bunch of them growing in my east-facing, front-yard garden, but I’d love to plant some in my side yard (southern-facing) garden, too. If I can add some to that garden, they will ensure that there is always something blooming there. So I will be on the lookout for them at local gardening stores!