Seed can be sown autumn or spring, to avoid frost. For best results in cool climates, seed should be sown before the end of March so the plants can establish before winter. Otherwise they may be damaged by late frost, or it will be too cold to germinate so weeds will take over.
- Size (HxW)
- Various, see pack for details. All you need is some bare ground and water for them to germinate.
- Before Sowing
- Prepare the seed bed – be it a pot, verge, meadow or garden. Clear it of existing vegetation such as grass/weeds – ideally do this manually. If it is a large area with lots of existing or persistent weeds you might like to use an organic weedicide such as Slasher, follow the directions on the pack. If it is heavily weeded you might like to allow time to complete two cycles. If you are planting into an existing garden bed you can just prepare the area between the plants. Loosen the soil to a depth of around 5cm, then rake it. The soil will then be friable and allow the roots to better develop.
- Depth & Spacing
- 15g will cover an area of 7.5 m2. Roughly 2- 3grams per m2
- Sowing
- Seed can be sown in a number of ways, here is the top two:
1. Individually – depending on the size of the space you are covering e.g. a pot, this could be the easiest method. Simply bury the seed twice as deep as the seed is wide. You can simply push it in with your finger. *
2. Broadcast – Ideal for covering large areas, you spread the seeds like you are feeding chickens! Pop the seeds in a jar/container and add some sand or vermiculite (these are known as carriers) to help create even distribution (some seeds are super tiny so it makes it easier and more economical). How much of the carrier you need to add can be tested by first spreading a square metre of the carrier by hand; first go lengthways, then cross over width ways, until you have a thin covering, then measure this amount and multiply it by the total amount required. When you are ready to plant, mix the seed and the carrier together, moisten gently with a water mister (spray bottle), then mix through so they are evenly distributed with the carrier. Then spread the seed - left to right then top to bottom. Rake over lightly to help the seed make its way into the ground, then water deeply. Nature should then take care of the rest. *
* After sowing, and watering, adding a light layer of mulch will help to protect the seed and aid with water retention. Don’t add too much (it could rob the soil of nitrogen), a light layer of something like sugar cane mulch is perfect.
You can then walk over the mulched area to help promote good soil to seed contact.
- Autumn Sowing
- Sowing in autumn, when the soil is still warm allows the seeds a longer time for germination and the luxury of the winter rains. While you won’t see much action for a while, come spring and the warmer weather they will be up and about in no time. Try and keep an eye out for weeds.
- Spring Sowing
- If you have heavy soils, spring is an ideal time to sow as they won’t rot in wet soils over the winter cold.
- Soil
- Grow in moderately fertile, humus rich, will drained (friable) soil. The soil needs to be dug to around 5-7cm - if it is too compacted the seeds will have difficulty shooting.
- Aspect
- Full sun to light shade
- Water
- Water in deeply after planting – they need to be moist and have soil contact to initiate germination. Then, as they are establishing, a deep water once or twice a week is ideal. If they dry out in germination they can fail. Once established, you only need to worry if rainfall is low.
- Fertiliser
- Fertilise at the first sign of growth, then again when in flower. Use an all purpose fertiliser. They aren’t heavy feeders but these applications will give them some good get up and go.
- Flowering Time
- L Spr - Aut
- After Flower Care
- Let them die back naturally to allow any seed to fall for future generations, then cut back. You can also collect the seed to sow as you desire.
- Notes
- You might find some varieties grow better than others in your microclimate. Simply remove those you don’t like by pulling them out; do this before they set seed. You will likely need to do a bit of weeding as the patch establishes, this is because weed seeds also enjoy freshly prepared soil! The annuals generally only a last a year but will re-seed for the future, while perennials are long term. You can add to the area each year, try an all new mix each season, or allow them to naturalise and return each year.
