Yellow and white yarrow are really common plants to find at the nursery, but if you buy yarrow seeds the flowers come in a multitude of colors. Learn how to grow yarrow from seed so you can grow your favorite color of yarrow flower.
Yarrow is a native plant in most of the United States and it provides food to many pollinators. In the wild yarrow can be mistaken for a highly poisonous plant called poison hemlock.
We have poison hemlock in our area, so I don't want to harvest wild yarrow and mistake it for hemlock. I decided that I should start my own yarrow from seed.
I always thought that yarrow must be hard to grow because the flowers are stunning. I was so wrong, yarrow is really easy to grow and it comes back every year!
Why Should You Grow Yarrow
Before we jump into starting seeds first let me tell you why yarrow is a such a great plant for your garden.
Attracts Pollinators And Beneficial Insects
Yarrow flowers attract and feed many pollinators. When you bring more bees and butterflies into your garden you will have more produce.
Brings Nutrients Into Your Garden
While some plants fix nitrogen into the soil yarrow has deep roots that pull nutrients like potassium from the sub soil. Growing yarrow can make your garden healthier.
Great For Flower Arraignments
Yarrow flowers are great in fresh and dried arrangements. They also smell amazing making them the perfect cut flower.
Medicinal Uses
One of the coolest things about yarrow is the fact that it can help stop bleeding! Dried Yarrow flowers can be made into a powder that stops bleeding.
Here are some other ways yarrow can be used for medicinal purposes. (Remember I am not a doctor and cannot give you medical advice)
How To Start Yarrow Seeds
Okay, so now you really want to grow your own yarrow! These are the steps I took to grow yarrow from seed all the way to flowering in the same year.
Where To Buy Yarrow Seeds
The yarrow that I am growing is the Colorado Mix from Rare Seeds. This yarrow comes in shades of pink, yellow, white, and red.
You can find many varieties of yarrow here on Rare Seeds website.
Starting Yarrow Seeds
Early in the spring I mix up some homemade soil mix for starting my seeds. This mix is great to start everything in, and my yarrow did well in it.
I started my seeds in March which is about 8 weeks before my last frost. I started some seeds indoors under a grow light and for the rest I used the method of winter sowing.
For my indoor plants I simply surface sowed (sprinkled the seeds on top of the soil) my seeds and placed them under a grow light.
When the soil would get dry I would mist it with a mister like this one. Misting is best because watering with a can could wash the seeds away.
Yarrow is a very slow growing plant so patience is key.
Keeping Yarrow Healthy Till Planting
Once my seeds sprouted the plants grew slowly. I kept the soil moist and would water it when it started drying out.
Until planting time just make sure to water your yarrow and keep it under a grow light or in a greenhouse with plenty light.
Planting Yarrow In the Garden
I planted my yarrow on the same week as my average last frost.
Yarrow is an perennial down to zone 3 so it can tolerate cool weather and frosts. When you plant your yarrow put it in a location that will receive lots of sunlight.
Yarrow needs full sunlight in order to produce flowers. Also plant your yarrow where it can come back each year without being in the way.
Yarrow plants make a great border and deer and rabbits don't eat them!
After planting just keep the weeds pulled so that your yarrow can survive. These plants really do grow slowly, but the flowers are worth it!
Finally Flowers
My yarrow started flowering in July of the same year that I planted it. That is just five months after I started the seeds indoors.
Yarrow flowers have such a distinct floral scent that I really like. Once your flowers bloom you can start harvesting and using them.
Your Yarrow Will Come Back
Yarrow is a perennial in zones 3-9! This wide range of growing conditions just tells you how hardy the yarrow plant really is.
You can cut your yarrow plants back during the fall or just leave them till spring-time. Every spring your yarrow should emerge from the ground and start the growth cycle all over again.
If you let your yarrow go to seed it will also reseed itself throughout your garden. If you don't want your yarrow spreading simply don't let the flowers go to seed.
One great benefit of growing a native plant like yarrow is that it doesn't need much care. Native plants just take off and produce abundantly.
Yarrow Pests
I have not had any pests bother my yarrow plants! When my yarrow started blooming it was instantly covered in beneficial insects that would take care of any pests.
This year give yarrow a try in your garden! I bet you will be amazed how easy it is to grow yarrow from seed.
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