With the arrival of the vast majority of my seeds, plus a huge mound of unopened and saved seed from last year, it was time to sit down, sort through, and make a very large plan. I whittled it down to forty packets. I have been sowing at a rate of ten a week. Twenty down, twenty to go.
Seriously – my excitement and anticipation is tangible prior to the first green shoots emerging. Subsequently followed by the scent of growing plants and damp compost filling the air. It is a pivotal time of year in my gardening calendar. I patiently waited until 26th March, due to the fact that light levels had started to increase exponentially. There really was no point in sowing when the greenhouse was cold and none too bright. In addition the 26th was mothers day and my request for a couple of bags of compost was met. My first seeds germinated in exactly seven days. Every morning I take a coffee into my greenhouse, lifting propagator lids just to see what’s happening. I truly find seed propagation addictive.
This year I will be sowing some seeds in mixed batches, in larger modules. I am hoping that this will reduce the need to prick out prior to planting out. I have mixed Ammi majus with Scabious Burgundy Beau. I am way behind on making my raised veg beds, so decided to combine spinach in modules and will plant out into my new beds (when I have made them..) I have a week off at Easter, and they are on the top of my list, followed by sort out the garden, and strim the orchard.
When it comes to growing flowers I possess limited brakes. My palette of seed was chosen to maximise wildlife for our garden, whether for nectar, shelter or Winter food supply, all of which ultimately creates a truly beautiful garden to sit and relax in after work.
These images are from last year, they are always on my must grow list. I tend to buy my seeds from Thompson and Morgan and Sarah Raven. I constantly find the quality of germination, price and customer service really good.
Verbena bonariensis , with iridescent tiny purple flowers which bees adore. Be patient , this seeds germination rate is definitely not uniform, often taking a few weeks for all the seedlings to fill the tray. It truly amazes me that a sowing in March produces towering plants by late summer.
I have a passion for Tithonia rotundiflora “Torch” – an annual with a textural velvet like stem and bright orange flowers that last well into late Autumn, glowing in the sunshine and the rain.
Leonotis Leonaurus – the staircase plant, another firm favourite. With a spiky spherical flower structure, and bright orange salvia shaped petals bursting forth. I grow it every year to provide a real late Summer blast of brightness.
So there you have it, just a few of my seeds of choice . My main recommendation is sit down, have a brew and decide what you want to grow.
Sally Wicks 