Side by side
Pick two or three seeds to see how they grow, side by side: sprouting, spacing, sun, water, frost and pet safety in one table.
Comparing Flax vs. Ornamental Gourd
The comparison
| Fact | | |
|---|---|---|
| Difficulty | Easy | Moderate |
| Life cycle | Annual | Annual |
| Sowing depth | 1.5–4 cm½–1½ in | 1.5–2.5 cm½–1 in |
| Sun | Full sun | Full sun |
| Frost tolerance | Not yet verified | Tender (no frost) |
| Links |
Up close
What each one is, in a few lines, with the full growing guide one click away.
Fruits & otherLinum usitatissimum
Flax, also called linseed, is an annual with pale blue flowers that grows best in full sun. It is not cold tolerant, so sow in spring after the danger of hard frosts has passed.
How to grow flaxFruits & otherCucurbita pepo var. ovifera
Ornamental gourds are tender annual vines grown from seed for decorative fruit. They need full sun and sowing after the last spring frost, and their hard seed coats benefit from soaking.
How to grow ornamental gourdKeep comparing
Add a third seed, or swap one for a close relative from the same category.
Flax vs. Ornamental Gourd vs. AlfalfaAdd alfalfa as a third
Flax vs. Ornamental Gourd vs. American PersimmonAdd american persimmon as a third
Flax vs. Ornamental Gourd vs. Apple TreeAdd apple tree as a thirdFlax vs. AlfalfaFlax against another seedOrnamental Gourd vs. AlfalfaOrnamental Gourd against another seedFlax vs. American PersimmonFlax against another seedThe table, row by row
Every row is a fact from each seed's own profile, lined up so the differences stand out.
Germination time and temperature
How many days the seeds take to sprout, and the temperature range they sprout in.
Sowing depth and spacing
How deep to sow each seed and how far apart the plants should grow. “On the surface” means the seed isn't covered.
Days to maturity and life cycle
How long until the plant is ready, counted from sowing or from transplanting (each value says which). Annuals live one year, biennials two, perennials longer.
Sun and water
Full sun means 6 or more hours of direct sun a day, partial shade a few hours. Water needs are rated low, moderate or high.
Containers, frost tolerance and soil pH
Whether it grows in a pot, with the smallest pot when it's known. Frost tolerance runs from tender (no frost) to hardy. Soil pH 7 is neutral.
Toxicity to cats and dogs
Whether the plant is toxic to cats and dogs.
Quick wins
Days from sowing until the first shoots appear, in good conditions.
Pet friendly
Listed as non-toxic to both cats and dogs. Each seed's page has the details.
Not safe for pets: borage, buckwheat, caraway, carnation and 14 more.
Comparing
Each seed's page explains how to grow it from seed, with facts researched and reviewed by our editors.
