This year I am intentionally changing how I start my annual flowers, and what I’m growing.

In the past, I’ve had a tendency to sow too early and start too many varieties. While some plants did beautifully, those requiring a long indoor growing period before planting out often struggled. I wasn’t consistently matching heat and light to their specific needs. Part of this was because I just don’t have the capacity to do so. While I can heat my greenhouse, I cannot maintain ideal germination or growing temperatures early in the season (especially in February, when it’s consistently -20°C at night). I can move trays to the heated floor for more heat but then they lose light; if I keep them on the benches for light, they do not have enough warmth that time of year due to heat loss through the glass.

This year, I am trying a more deliberate system:

• Starting seeds based on the longest recommended indoor timing, not when I feel eager.
• Using heat mats or my heated greenhouse floor more strategically for proper germination temperatures. I’ve invested in an automated controller that should allow me to create multiple heat zones for different plants.
• Moving seedlings promptly to strong light once sprouted. I purchased two new grow lights that allow adjustable light intensity and a wider span of light, so I can better match light levels to each growth stage. I’ll combine that with the controller to automate the duration of light as well.
• Matching sowing method (germination tray vs. direct cell pack) to the plant’s growth habit. I had success with this approach last year and plan to be more disciplined with it.

To keep this experiment manageable, I’ve also reduced my annual selection significantly. For 2026, I’m limiting my seed-grown flowering annuals to:

(links to my seed starting guides, adjusted for this new approach)

• Dusty Miller (‘New Look’ and ‘Silverdust’)
• Ageratum ‘Aloha Blue’
• Alyssum (‘Clear Crystal Purple’ and ‘Lavender’)
• Marigold ‘Hero Mix’
• Verbena (‘Obsession Pink’ and ‘Twister Violette’)
• Vinca (‘Tattoo Blueberry’ and ‘Mediterranean Burgundy’) — new to me this year
• Zinnia (several ‘Benary’s Giant’)

My commitment to myself this year:

• Fewer varieties
• Stronger seedlings
• Proper timing
• Better light management
• Intentional transitions from germination to growth

My goal isn’t to grow more but to grow better.