For the beginner, purchase seedlings instead of seeds.

Seeds started indoors, need warmth, proper soil and attention.  If the soil gets too moist you may have mould problems and a disease called, damping-off and you will lose the seeds. When sprouted, they will need proper lighting conditions or they will grow leggy (too tall and weak) before warm weather arrives and you can take them outdoors.

If you start the seeds indoors and the seedlings are ready for planting, you then need to 'harden them off' a process of leaving them outdoors and returning them indoors for a period of a week before they can be permanently planted outside.

To Harden off:

1st day: Leave them outdoors in shade for about 2 hours. Bring them in.

2nd day: Leave them outdoors in shade for about 3 hours. Bring them in.

3rd day:  Leave them outdoors in a 'mix of sun and shade' for about 4 hours. Bring them in and continue this for the next four days, giving them more and more sun.  On the 7th day, plant them!

Seedlings of the annuals also need to be pinched, so they can branch, which means you will have more flowers on a compact bushy plant.

Once you have the seedlings planted, remove all flowers immediately, this 'cruel' act will allow your plants to produce more flowers and give you a better show. (trust me!)

If you do wish to try seeds, then choose easy annuals which can be planted outdoors as soon as it's sufficiently warm.

The easiest annuals to grow from seeds are: Alyssum,  calendula,  baby's breath, marigold, nasturtium and zinnia. Plant them directly outdoors as soon as the weather warms up. As the flowers fade, remove them (dead head) and they will continue to bloom.

Annuals which may reseed (return each year) themselves in your garden are forget-me-not, alyssum, snapdragon and nicotiana. For them to reseed, you must leave the flowers to dry naturally on the plants allowing the seeds to fall to the ground. Do this when the summer is coming to an end.

Perennials:

Only plant these once and they will return faithfully each year.

Alyssum, (saxatile citrinum), yellow, 8" tall, likes sun and good soil.

Primula, many colors, 6-12" tall, prefers rich soil and part shade.

Candytuft (iberis sempervirens), pure white, 8-12" tall, most soil types, good drainage and full sun.

Johnny-jump-up, (viola tricolor) few colors, about 6" tall, needs good soil and lots of sun.

Daylily, (hemerocallis) several colors, 12- 36" high, most soil types and mostly sun.

Sweet William, (dianthus barbatus) various colors, 8-12' high, most soil types and will take some shade.

Carpathian Bellflower, (campanula carpatica) colors of white and blue, 12", likes good soil and needs sun.

Balloon Flower, (platycodon grandiflorum) several colors, 15-24" tall, semi-shade or sun with good soil and proper drainage.

Shasta Daisy, (chrysanthemum maximum) white, 24-36", good soil and full sun.

Hardy Chrysanthemum, several colors, 12-24", likes good soil and full sun.

Here's a list of web sites where you can purchase seeds and plants:

LandscapeUSA.com can supply you with seeds for flowers, wildflowers and more.

Purchase plants, seeds and more. Live plants are shipped worldwide! You'll find calendula and nasturtiums. Request their catalog!