When is the best time to sow the seed for Sweet Alyssum?

Question

I live in zone 6b in temperate climate . The forecast for next week is getting into the lower to mid 60's for temperature. Is now the best time to plant Sweet Alyssum?
is it okay to order it through the mail?
i dont see it at my local nursery, is it something that a nursery would carry or is it something you would buy at the hardware or grocery store?

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ONE MORE QUESTION TO ADD, IS IT TOO LATE TO PLANT IT IN LATE SPRING OR SUMMER TIME?? CAN YOU PLANT IT ALL GROWING SEASON???

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WHAT KIND OF SOIL DOES IT NEED?
IS CLAY NOT GOOD ENOUGH FOR IT??

Answer 1

As long as frost has passed, you can sow alyssum. Just rough up the soil a little, sprinkle the seed where you want it, gently tap down the soil around the seed with a how or hand trowel and keep the soil moist. Because the seed is so small, don't flood the area or you will wash the seed away. Alyssum does best in areas with about a 1/2 day of full sun and in very hot summers actually appreciates shade late in the day. Keep soil moist. Late in the year, allow it to dry out and go to seed. Remove the dead plants and allow the seeds to remain in the soil - shake the dry flower heads over it. Rake the soil lightly and let the seed winter over. It will come back in the spring after the rain for another cycle.

Answer 2

The best time for you to plant would probably be when the nights are around 45 degrees or warmer. Seedlings are touchier than a full grown plant. My established plants handled 4 nights of 25 degree weather and can handle days above 110 degrees. A frost will kill a seedling. Once it is warm enough you can plant all summer as long as you water them daily. Once established they won't need to be watered but once or twice a week. They will grow in any soil. Even in the cracks of a sidewalk. You can buy the seeds at Walmart or in almost any big grocery store. You can buy flats of 6, 12 and 24 at places like Home Depot and Lowe's. If the plants start getting leggy just pull them and in a few days you will see new seedlings coming up.

Answer 3

If you are in the 60's I would say go for it.
It should be easy to find, but if you can't find it in your stores, there is no reason you could not order it through the mail. Our Safeway store has several seed racks and it is there.

Answer 4

nows the time. i learned a cheap trick for startin seeds. get some Styrofoam cups and some mulch soil and start your seeds in them they cheaper then the store bought germination containers and hold more seeds I usually start 6 seeds to one container.Happy gardening!