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Sowing annual seeds now

yorkiethorntonyorkiethornton Posts: 100
in Problem solving
Hello. I've heard now is a good time to sow annual seeds to make for earlier/better pants next spring? Should this be done in plugs/trays and under cover of a greenhouse/cold frame or direct into the ground? Any guidance welcome including suggestions for what might work best. Thanks.  :)

Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    It depends on what they are, and your growing conditions. 
    I don't grow many annuals, but I do most in spring - quite late on. They usually catch up with any autumn sown ones, because it's rarely possible to plant stuff out earlier here anyway. 
    Last year I did do sweet peas, just because I had them, and we had the hottest April on record here, so I was actually able to make use of that. For the first time ever, I had some flowering in June.  :)

    I don't sow direct in autumn because they would rot or get eaten. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    edited September 2020
    It depends on the plant I think. Some hardy annuals - and especially biennials - will germinate now and then overwinter as small plants, giving them a head start. Some need a period of cold over winter before they germinate. Some you are best off sowing in spring (obviously all half-hardy and tender annuals). Whether you sow in trays or direct again depends on the plant. If they resent root disturbance, in the ground might work best. If you need to keep an eye on them and protect from slug attack, trays and pots. I tend towards sowing in pots and trays because I just forget where I sowed things or lose patience waiting for them to come up...
    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    There is no 'rule of thumb' about this @yorkiethornton but if you let us know which seeds you have/want, we could tell you on a per-plant basis.
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • yorkiethorntonyorkiethornton Posts: 100
    BobTheGardener said:
    There is no 'rule of thumb' about this @yorkiethornton but if you let us know which seeds you have/want, we could tell you on a per-plant basis.
    Thanks. Was thinking marigold / cosmos and lavatera?
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