Direct sow in early spring after the danger of frost has passed. Seedlings are not winter hardy. Sow in full sun...A true sunshine worshiper. Prefers well drained soils so avoid heavy clay areas. DO NOT FERTILIZE. Rich, fertile soils tend to produce unusually tall, lanky plants with few blooms. Plants become top heavy and fall over. Cosmos can be a great cut flower with a vase life of 5-7 days. Harvest the blooms in the early morning hours, and select stems with flowers that have just opened. Remove the leaves below the water line. Generally trouble free, seldom falling prey to disease or insects, and they do not mind being crowded.