Native Plants

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Friday - January 16, 2015
From: Austin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Seeds and Seeding, Herbs/Forbs
Title: What to do about early seedlings
Answered by: Joe Marcus
QUESTION:
Hello, Over the last few weeks I have noticed that all my naturally occurring poppies and delphiniums have started to sprout up around my yard. Hundreds of them! I imagine it's because of the early freeze we had in November followed by rain and warm temps, of course. I am not even sure they are going to make it past this week's temps in the high 20's but if they do should I expect them to reach full bloom? Should I ignore them and still throw out all of the collected seeds I have saved? All the areas I would normally throw them are currently full of little one inch naturals so it's all a little confusing. Any help on this matter will be greatly appreciated! Thanks ToddANSWER:
Your seedlings should be just fine. If you would like to oversow with some more seeds to hedge your bets, you can do that too, but chances are the seedlings you're seeing now will develop normally and be more vigorous than plants from later-sown seeds. Nature rarely gets it wrong.
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