Home-Grown is in the process of distributing Cosmos seeds for you to plant and enjoy. Once established Cosmos will need relatively little water, last a long time, and have the added benefit of attracting migratory butterflies, including the Monarch. They will thrive in full sun. The Cosmos is a member of the aster family, and although not native to Texas, it readily adapts to conditions here. The seeds we are distributing are the Yellow Cosmos-Klondyke Mix of Cosmos Sulphureus from Wildseed Farms in Fredricksburg.

Select a sunny, well-drained area. Remove as much of the competing vegetation as possible with a garden rake, hoe or shovel. Remove all the clippings from the area, you want bare soil. Rake or lightly till the soil only to a depth of 1 inch. Avoid disturbing the soil any deeper than this. Really you can just loosen the surface slightly. Broadcast the seeds as evenly as possible. It can be helpful to distribute half the seeds with a back and forth motion of the hand and then repeat this motion at 90 degrees to the first application of seeds. Water the seeds gently until the seedlings emerge. Be careful not to wash the seeds away with a heavy stream of water, try to use a fine spray.