Things You'll Need:
- Moon flower seeds
- Metal file, sharp knife or nail clippers
- Cup
- Garden Trowel
- Water
- Trellis, porch rails or something for the flowers to climb on
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Step 1
Sow the moon flower seeds in the spring after all danger of frost is gone. In frost-free areas, the seeds can be sown in the fall to early spring. You can also start the seeds indoors in a well-lit area, 6 to 8 weeks before the last spring frost.
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Step 2
Prepare the seeds the night before you are going to plant them. Moon flower seeds have a thick husk and need to be chipped before planting. The seeds are about the size of a kernel of corn, so this is not difficult to do. You can take a metal file and file the seed. Or you can take a sharp knife and score the seed. You can also take a pair of nail clippers and nip one of the edges of the seed.
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Step 3
Put the seeds in a cup and cover with warm water. Let them stand overnight. This, along with the chipping, will help the seeds germinate quicker.
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Step 4
Select a sunny location to plant the moonflowers. They need as much sun as they can get. If you can, plant them in a place where their fragrance can be enjoyed. Also take into account that this is a climbing vine and will either need something to climb on, like a porch rail, a lamp post, a trellis, or even twine or floral wire.
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Step 5
Plant the seeks ½ inch deep. Gently tamp the soil down on top of the seeds. Carefully water the soil so as not to move the seeds. Keep the ground moist. Seedlings should appear in 7 to 14 days, depending upon the soil and weather conditions.
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Step 6
Thin the seedlings, when they are big enough to handle, to 12-inches apart. If they were not planted near a porch rail, then provide something for the moon flowers to climb on. It can be as simple as nailing one end of twine or floral wire to the outside of the house and securing the other end with a weight.
