If you want a cascade of vibrant color by early summer, timing is everything. Knowing exactly when to plant morning glories in zone 6 is the key to getting those spectacular blooms right on schedule.
These fast-growing annual vines are famous for their trumpet-shaped flowers that open each morning. With the right start, they’ll cover a trellis or fence in no time, creating a beautiful summer display.
When to Plant Morning Glories in Zone 6
For gardeners in zone 6, the timing revolves around one thing: the last spring frost. Morning glories are tender and cannot handle cold soil or frosty nights.
The safest and most recommended time to plant morning glories outdoors is after all danger of frost has passed. In zone 6, your average last frost date typically falls between May 1st and May 15th. A good rule of thumb is to aim for planting around Mother’s Day.
For an early jump, you can start seeds indoors. Begin this process about 4-6 weeks before your expected last frost date. That means sowing seeds indoors in late March to early April.
Why Timing Matters for Early Summer Blooms
Planting too early in cold soil will cause seeds to rot or seedlings to stall. Planting too late delays your flower show. Hitting that post-frost window gives the seeds perfect conditions to germinate and grow rapidly.
Since morning glories can take 60 to 120 days to bloom from seed, a timely spring planting ensures they have enough long, warm days to mature and start flowering in early summer, often by late June or July.
How to Plant Morning Glories for Success
Getting morning glories to grow is simple if you follow a few key steps. Here is your straightforward guide.
Step 1: Choosing and Preparing Seeds
Morning glory seeds have a very hard coat. To improve and speed up germination, you need to soften them. Here’s how:
- Nick the seed coat gently with a file or nail clipper, being careful not to damage the inner part.
- Or, soak the seeds in lukewarm water for 12-24 hours until they look plump.
This simple step makes a huge difference in how quickly they sprout.
Step 2: Planting Outdoors (Direct Sowing)
Once the soil is warm (at least 65°F) and frosts are gone, you can plant directly in the garden.
- Choose a site with full sun (at least 6-8 hours daily).
- Prepare the soil so it’s loose and well-draining. They aren’t too picky but avoid heavy, soggy clay.
- Plant seeds about 1/4 inch deep and space them 6-8 inches apart.
- Water gently but thoroughly.
- Seeds should germinate in 5-7 days with prepared seeds, a bit longer if not treated.
Step 3: Starting Morning Glories Indoors
For the earliest possible blooms, starting indoors is a great option. Use biodegradable peat pots to avoid disturbing the roots during transplant.
- Fill pots with seed starting mix.
- Plant 1-2 pre-soaked seeds per pot, just under the soil surface.
- Keep the soil moist and warm (70-75°F is ideal). A heat mat helps.
- Provide bright light as soon as seedlings emerge.
- Transplant the entire peat pot into the garden after hardening off, once frost danger is past.
Caring for Your Morning Glories
Morning glories are low-maintenance once established. Here’s what they need to thrive and produce those early summer blooms.
Sunlight and Support
These plants are sun worshippers. More sun equals more flowers. Provide a sturdy support for them to climb right from the start—a trellis, fence, arbor, or even a string guide.
They will climb on there own by twinning, so you just need to point the young vines in the right direction.
Watering and Feeding
Water regularly while plants are young and getting established. Once they have a good root system, morning glories are quite drought-tolerant.
A common mistake is over-fertilizing, especially with high-nitrogen plant food. This leads to huge, leafy vines with few flowers. If your soil is decent, they often need no extra fertilizer at all.
Encouraging More Blooms
To keep your vines flowering profusely all summer, deadhead regularly. This means removing spent flowers before they form seed pods.
When the plant puts energy into making seeds, it slows down flower production. Simple pinching off the old blooms keeps the show going strong.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Sometimes problems pop up. Here’s how to fix the most frequent ones.
- Seeds Not Germinating: Usually caused by cold soil, planting too deep, or not scarifying the hard seed coat. Ensure soil is warm and try pre-soaking seeds.
- Leaves Yellowing: Can be a sign of overwatering or poor drainage. Check that soil isn’t staying soggy.
- No Flowers / All Leaves: This is almost always due to too much nitrogen fertilizer or not enough sun. Move to a sunnier spot if possible and avoid feeding.
- Chewed Leaves: While generally pest-resistant, slugs and snails might attack young seedlings. Use organic slug bait if needed.
FAQ: Your Morning Glory Questions Answered
Are morning glories perennials in zone 6?
Most common morning glories (like ‘Heavenly Blue’) are grown as annuals in zone 6. They will not survive the winter freeze. Some related species, like perennial bindweed, are but that’s usually an invasive weed, not the desirable garden flower.
Can I plant morning glory seeds in the fall in zone 6?
It’s not recommended. The seeds would likely rot over the cold, wet winter or sprout too early and be killed by frost. For reliable results, stick to spring planting after the last frost.
How long does it take for morning glories to bloom?
From planting the seed, it typically takes 2 to 4 months for blooms to appear. This is why hitting that spring planting window is so crucial for achieving early summer color.
Do morning glories come back every year?
As annuals, they do not come back from the same plant. However, they are prolific self-seeders. If you let some flowers go to seed at the end of the season, you may find new volunteer seedlings popping up in the same spot next spring.
What’s the best variety for quick coverage?
‘Grandpa Ott’s’, ‘Scarlett O’Hara’, and the classic ‘Heavenly Blue’ are all vigorous, fast-growing varieties perfect for creating a quick, dense screen of flowers in zone 6 gardens.
By planting your morning glories at the correct time—after the last spring frost—and giving them simple care, you’ll be rewarded with a stunning vertical display. Their cheerful blooms are a classic sign that summer has truly arrived in your zone 6 garden.