Growing Everlastings
Growing Everlastings are both fun and easy. Here’s a quick video on how it’s done.
Step 1 – Site selection
Everlastings will grow in most conditions. However, for optimal growth, ensure your seeds have the following two seedbed conditions:
- Reasonably well drained soil (not constantly water-logged)
- Access to sunlight (sunny for some part of the day)
Everlastings will tolerate extremely cold weather, frost, moderate waterlogging, heat, coastal, tropical, and little sunlight conditions. It can be planted all year round, if irrigated in summer.
Step 2 – Weed control
Weeds must be controlled for optimal germination and production. Weeds can be controlled either;
- manually by physically removing the weeds, or
- chemically, using a knockdown herbicide such as glyphosate, before the everlasting seeds are planted.
After germination, a grass selective can be lightly sprayed to control grass weeds Note: It is worth prolonging the planting of everlasting seeds until weeds are controlled.
Step 3 – Fertilise
Everlastings thrive with the use of a good all-purpose fertiliser. If your soil is deficient in any nutrient, also consider the application of trace elements. However, everlastings will also remain productive in limiting conditions, without the use of any fertiliser at all.Step 4 – Seed application
When seed is applied to the seedbed, it should be left on the surface or lightly covered by soil with a rake. Seed can then be pressed into the soil (by rolling or trampling), to create good seed-soil contact. Sowing depth should be no greater than 5mm into the seedbed.Seed should be sown at a rate of 1 gram per 1 m2. Therefore 10g will cover a 10m2 area.
Can be planted all year, if irrigated
Step 5 – Pest control
Like all seedlings, pests must be controlled after planting! Either use:
- a knockdown pest management chemical, or
- use residual control to provide control for extended periods after planting.
