Today, I’m talking about the seeds that I’m most excited to grow in 2020. Some are oldies but must-haves for me, and several of these I have never grown before. Actually, one of my favorite things about a new gardening season is picking out my seeds and deciding on what new things I’ll try to grow that year. I save a lot of seeds from the previous year to cut down on my costs.
If I didn’t save enough seeds or want to try something new, then I buy seeds. My go-to place for seeds is always Livingston Seeds! I love their seeds because they are non-GMO and have a high germination rate. I also love how much information they give on the back of each seed packet. I’ve found that following the packets recommendations does really help! Livingston has been selling seeds since 1850 and I recommend them to everyone.
Which seeds am I most excited to grow in 2020?
Below, I highlight a few of the seeds I’ll be growing in my 2020 garden. I’ve separated them into the following categories: vegetable & herbs, annuals, perennials, and ornamentals.
Vegetable & Herb Seeds
Blue Lake Bush Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris)
I grew these last year and absolutely loved them. They are low maintenance and tasty! It’s hard for me to not eat all the sweet and crunchy beans right off the vine as I’m harvesting. These are a string-less variety with 6″ pods. I definitely recommend planting these in succession (plant seeds every 3 weeks until around the first of August) so you can harvest green beans all summer long.
Days to Maturity: 58-62
Planting Depth: 1/2″-1″
Thin To: 4″-6″
Height: 14″-20″
Sun
Direct sow outdoors after danger of frost
Clemson Spineless Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus)
Okra is one of my favorite plants to grow! For one, I adore okra; it’s delicious in a jambalaya, stew, or fried. YUM! Okra is certainly one of the things that most reminds me of summer. And for two, the plant itself is a tall beauty. They tower me in the dead of summer (I’m only 5’2, so they make me feel like I’m in a jungle of okra). The flowers are also gorgeous and edible! It’s really important of me to minimize food waste, so I love plants where you can eat many of the parts. Okra has always been a prolific grower for me. Just make sure to harvest the okra when it’s young (about 3″ long). If you wait too long, they get too big and woody, making them almost impossible to eat. They will produce until cold damage occurs.
Days to Maturity: 56
Planting Depth: 1/2″
Thin To: 12″
Height: 5′
Sun
Start indoors 4 weeks before last frost
Plant outdoors after danger of frost
Jalapeno Pepper (Capsicum annuum)
These are 3″ long peppers that are very easy to grow, and just the right amount of spice for about any dish, including salsa, pickles, and jelly.
Days to Maturity: 75
Planting Depth: 1/4″
Thin To: 20″-24″
Sun
Start indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost
Plant outdoors after danger of frost
Yellow Pear Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum)
These are the sweetest, little tomatoes I’ve ever grown. I love the burst of yellow they add to meals – roast them or toss them in a salad. This variety has been grown since the late 1880’s, and is heat resistant and cold tolerant.
Days to Maturity: 75
Planting Depth: 1/8″
Thin To: 3″
Type: Indeterminate
Sun
Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost
Plant outdoors after danger of frost
Cilantro/Coriander (Coriandrum sativum)
Did you know cilantro and coriander come from the same plant? We refer to the leaves as cilantro and the seeds as coriander. It’s very easy -to-grow. Cut leaves when 4″-6″ high. Gather seeds as they dry.
Days to maturity: 65
Planting Depth: 1/4″
Thin To: 8″
Height: 18″-24″
Sun
Direct sow after danger of frost (15-20 days to germination)
Perennial Seeds
Butterfly Flower/Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa)
Milkweed is the host plant for Monarch butterflies. The mothers lay eggs on the leaves. The eggs hatch and release tiny caterpillars that feed solely on this plant to grow big and strong for the next phase of their life. Milkweed is aasy-to-grow, and drought tolerant.
Days to Maturity: 365+
Planting Depth: 1/4″
Thin To: 12″-18″
Height: 24″
Blooms late spring/summer after the first year
Sun
Days to germination: 14-28
Start indoors 6 weeks before last frost
Direct sow after danger of frost
Bee Balm (Monarda didyma)
Bee Balm is one of my all-time favorite plants for many reasons. First, it’s native to our area (woop woop for native plants). Secondly, it has an absolutely wondrous smell. In addition, they’re a hummingbird and butterfly magnet! And last, but maybe best of all, they’re edible! The leaves have a peppery taste and are great to grind and use as a seasoning. You can also make them into a great pesto (sunflower leaves also make a great pesto- get the recipe here). Excellent when grown with Black Eyed Susan, Purple Coneflower, and Lavender. We’ll talk more about companion planting in a future blog post.
Days to Maturity: 110-120
Planting Depth: 1/8″
Thin To: 12″-15″
Height: 30″
Blooms summer-fall after the first year
Sun
Days to germination: 10-20
Start indoors 5-8 weeks before last frost
Direct sow after danger of frost
Annual Seeds
Baby’s Breath “Gypsophila-white” – (Gypsophila elegans)
I love growing Baby’s Breath because it’s the perfect accent piece in flower arrangements! Look great fresh and dry. The flowers are small, light, and airy white. They like to be watered lightly but frequently.
Days to Maturity: 100-130
Planting Depth: 1/4″
Thin To: 8″
Height: 24″-30″
Blooms in summer
Sun
Days to germination: 10-15
Start indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost
Direct sow after danger of frost
Marigold “Jolly Jester” – (Tagetes patula)
Marigolds are a must-have in my vegetable garden! They are a great companion plant for many vegetables, and they work to deter pests from my prized veggies. Plus they’re edible! I love planting as many edibles as possible in my garden because your girl really likes to eat. I’ve also really liked them as a border in my garden in past years. They grow low and compact. I’ve never grown this exact variety before, but I knew I had to give them a try this year! Just look at those petals – what a fun contrast!! Deadhead them to prolong the bloom period. They are both heat and drought tolerant.
Days to Maturity: 45-60
Planting Depth: Just beneath the soil surface
Thin To: 12″-18″
Height: 20″-24″
Blooms late spring-summer
Sun
Days to germination: 4-10
Direct sow 2 weeks before last frost
Cosmos “Bright Lights” – (Cosmos sulphureus)
These have large, bright flowers that attract butterflies. They are drought tolerant, but like to stay moist – water lightly and frequently.
Days to Maturity: 45-60
Planting Depth: 1/4″
Thin To: 12″
Height: 3′
Blooms summer-fall
Sun
Days to germination: 14-28
Start indoors 4 weeks before last frost
Direct sow after danger of frost
Ornamental Seeds
These are probably the ones I’m most excited about. Mainly because I have never grown any of these from seed before! Growing a certain type of plant from seed the first time is always a challenge, but it’s also the most rewarding part of gardening, in my opinion.
Birdhouse Gourds – (Lagenaria siceraria)
This gourd is long-handled and ball-shaped. Pick them once the vine is dry and brown. Then, dry them in a warm, airy place, turning weekly. You can cut and decorate (painting is common) them once completely dry (the seeds will rattle when moved). Makes a great natural home for your feathered-friends.
Days to Maturity: 120-130
Planting Depth: 1/4″
Thin To: 12″-18″
Height: 24″
Blooms late spring/summer after the first year
Sun
Days to germination: 14-28
Start indoors 6 weeks before last frost
Direct sow after danger of frost
Luffa “Sponge Gourd” – (Luffa aegyptiaca)
I found out only a few years ago that luffas can be grown in the garden. I guess before I always thought they were synthetic or poached form sponges in the sea… LOL.
When immature, the luffa is cucumber-like, then as it ripens, it becomes fibrous. They grow 1′-2′ in length and 4″-5″ in thickness, and are typically grown on a trellis or fence. Although, you can grow them on the ground. If going this route, it’s recommended that you lay mulch beneath it. After harvesting, soak the fruits for several days, then peel and clean them. Once cleaned, dry them in the sun. Use the finished product for bathing, filtering, and cleaning.
Days to Maturity: 150-200
Planting Depth: 1/2″
Thin To: 2′-4′
Sun
Days to germination: 10-20
Start indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost
Direct sow after danger of frost/ soil warms
Cactus Mix
I’ve propagated many a cactus, but I’ve never come across cactus seeds before. I’m very excited to try my hand at growing these seeds for my 2020 garden. We also sell a wide range of already grown cacti, if you’re not quite up for growing them from seed.
The instructions say to start these indoors in a mix of equal parts coarse sand and potting soil. Keep warm, moist, and shaded until plants emerge.
Days to Maturity: 150
Planting Depth: 1/16″
Thin To: 2″-4″
Sun
Days to germination: 14-21
Start indoors at anytime
What seeds are you most excited about growing in 2020?
Make sure to follow us on Facebook & Instagram to see how we plant our seeds and updates throughout the 2020 growing season.
It’s very interesting to see such a verity of seeds.