Are you ready to fill your garden with beautiful flowers, maybe some perennials, and a few vegetables? Successfully growing different seed types begins with understanding their unique needs and planting conditions. In this seed guide, we'll explore various seed categories—from half-hardy flowers like cosmos and tithonia to frost-tender vegetables such as tomatoes and chillies. Find the best times to sow your seeds, whether indoors under cover or directly outdoors, and learn how to maintain ideal soil temperatures for each type. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just starting out, our tips will help you confidently embark on your seed-growing journey and achieve a flourishing, diverse garden all year round.
Hardy annuals
Such as calendula, cornflower, nasturtium, poppy, sunflower, and sweet pea.
Sow under cover: Feb-Mar (soil temp 8-12°C).
Sow outdoors: Mar-April (soil temp 6-12°C).
Hardy salads and veg
Such as carrots, lettuce, radish, rocket.
Sow under cover: Feb-April (soil temp 10-18°C).
Sow outdoors: March-Sep (soil temp 8-18°C).
Half-hardy flowers
Such as cosmos, tithonia and nicotiana.
Sow under cover: Mar (soil temp 16-24°C) – seeds are best sown indoors.
Tender perennials
Such as dahlia and salvia.
Sow under cover: Jan-Feb (soil temp 18-24°C) – seeds are best sown indoors.
Frost-tender veg
Such as chillies, tomatoes and cucumber.
Sow under cover: April (soil temp 16-28°C).
Sow outdoors: May-June (soil temp at least 10°C).
Hardy perennials
Such as echinacea, rudbeckia and lupin.
Sow under cover: Jan-Feb (soil temp 18-21°C).
Sow outdoors: April-June (soil temp at least 10°C).
Biennials
Such as forget-me-not, foxglove and hollyhock.
Sow under cover: June (soil temp 12-18°C).
Sow outdoors: April-June (soil temp 10-18°C).