Grow your own flowers Growing your own flowers is very satisfying and gives you the freedom to try different plants in your garden without the expense of buying lots of plants.
Flowering bedding plants light up any garden and are very satisfying when they are grown from seeds yourself.
They can be used for filling in gaps between shrubs and look sensational when planted along the edge of a lawn.
Flowering plants can also be used in hanging baskets and containers for summer-long colour.
Although the plants only last one summer they are great value for money, especially if grown from seed.
Sowing Seeds It is usual to sow annuals in the spring and plant out into the garden after the early season frosts have passed.
Planting your seeds indoors, either in a conservatory or on a warm bright windowsill in your house will give your seedlings the best chance at a start in life.
Seeds can be sown directly into soil, but will be subjected to the garden snails and slugs.
Seeds sown outdoors should be organised in rows.
The soil should have been prepared by digging and breaking down large clumps to produce a fine earth.
When watering you need to be careful not to move the seeds around.
When plants start to grow they can be moved into a more suitable position.
You can plant your seeds in seedtrays or, as I prefer, in "plug style" trays.
This makes it easier to push out the seedlings when planting up to bigger pots.
You can also use pots if you don't have trays.
Choose a seed compost and sow thinly, lightly covering with a layer of compost.
If the seeds are very fine, do not cover just lightly press into the compost.
Don't forget to water your newly-sown seeds then cover the tray with a propagator lid.
Pots should be covered with some cling-film.
When the seeds develop shoots you can remove the lids or cling-film and keep the compost moist.
Two seed leaves will grow initially, followed by the plants actual leaves.
When these have grown the seedlings may be transplanted into pots.
If you intend to sow a large number of seeds, or if you prefer not to transplant your seedlings to larger pots, you can sow directly into pots.
As with the seedtray the pot should be filled with compost and the seeds sown.
Lightly cover with a layer of compost and water.
http://www.
FlowersFromSeed.
com provides a wealth of information about growing your own flowers, providing the correct conditions to grow plants and how to care for seedlings and grow them into blooming flowers.