Columbine Seeds,
Rose Barlow

Columbine seeds germinate best indoors. You can either direct sow seeds in place 3-4 weeks before the last frost date in your region or start indoors 6-8 weeks before the last spring frost. It usually blooms in its second year after establishing strong roots in its first growing season. If you’re not sure of your area’s last frost date, give our blog post 'Our Experts Answer Questions, Share Resources’a read.

To prepare columbine seeds for sowing, place the seeds in moistened trays and refrigerate for 3-4 weeks before sowing. After stratification, sow seeds 1/8-1/4 inch deep in seed trays or directly in the garden. Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged during germination. It usually takes 21-36 days at 65-70 F. If starting indoors, place seedlings in bright, indirect light. Space the plants about 10-12 inches apart.

Water deeply when the top inch of soil dries out, but avoid overwatering. A balanced, slow-release fertilizer applied in early spring encourages stronger growth. Avoid fertilizers high in nitrogen, as they may cause leafy growth over flower production. Deadhead spent blooms to help prolong flowering and prevent aggressive self-seeding. If you want Columbine to naturalize in your garden, allow some seed pods to mature and drop their seeds. In late fall, cut back dead foliage to encourage fresh spring growth.

• Mature flower petals will fall off exposing the seed pod.
• Harvest the mature seed pods when they have turned from green to brown.
• You may open and empty the pods or place them in a brown paper bag and shake them to release the seeds from their pods.
• Each pod will encase many small, shiny, black seeds.
• Store the seeds in a cool, dry, and dark place until you are ready to plant.