Morning glories add charm and color wherever they are grown. The vines are great for climbing up a chain link fence, creating a living curtain to shade a west window, disguising less than attractive structures, and providing a colorful privacy screen. Annual vines grow quickly enough to climb a trellis in just a few weeks. Typically, by mid-summer the entire trellis is covered with dark green foliage and trumpet-shaped flowers.

Start Morning Glory seeds indoors 4 - 6 weeks prior to the end of frost season. Or, start the flower seeds directly outside once temperatures are warming and frost danger has passed.

Morning Glory vines prefer full sun. They are not picky about soils, but the do need space to sprawl or a structure to climb.

• Whether starting the seeds indoors or directly outdoors, soak the seed in tepid water overnight
• Fill trays or peat pots with moistened soil
• Press the Morning Glory seed into the soil and cover with 1/4 inch of soil
• Keep the soil constantly moist and warm
• Cover the pots or trays with clear plastic to help hold in moisture and warmth
• Lift the plastic daily to moisten the soil
• Remove the plastic as soon as sprouts are seen
• Set the seedlings in a sunny window where they will receive bright light most of the day
• As the outdoor temperature warms, harden off the Morning Glory seedlings for 7 - 10 days
• Transplant out into the permanent growing location
• Or, for direct sowing, work the soil to a depth of 6 inches and remove weeds
• Amend the soil with organic compost
• Rake out soil and press seeds in, covering 1/4 inch
• Keep the soil and seed constantly moist
• Have a trellis ready

• Ideally the soil should be kept moist
• To keep unwanted self-sowing, trim off spent flowers
• To revitalize the plant, cut back up to 1/3 of the plant to encourage new growth and blooms