A Quick Demo of Pricking Out

August & September Flower Kit Video

Please note - the camera blew over and I didn't realise at the end of the video so please see notes below for the rest of what I said. I couldn't re-record as I was finished before I realised!

....I'm going to cover the seeds that need covering in 5mm of compost sprinkled over them. Then water with a fine rose on  your watering can. Cover them over with a plastic propagator lid if you have one, and then either place into the greenhouse or onto a windowsill until they germinate (anywhere from 7-21 days normally). If they are inside, as soon as they start to germinate, move them out to the greenhouse/a sheltered spot outside and when they have their first 2 true leaves, prick them out (video above) and leave them to grow on until we plant them out in the garden - before our first frost.

Link to work out your first frost date: 

https://thefloralproject.co.uk/blogs/news/the-floral-project-planting-calendar-1

August Flower Kit

I will personally be sowing my August seeds on 29^th August. I know it’s hard to wait when you’re excited to get going (!) but if we sow to soon, we risk our plants bolting to try and flower this summer with tiny little flowers instead of putting on some bulky growth, over-wintering then really going for it with super-flower-power next Spring. So, our aim is to sow, ready to plant out into the garden in October before the first frosts come. I’m in Surrey so if you’re in Scotland or a lot further North than me, go for it any time from mid-August.

You can use the sowing video shown above if you start before me, otherwise, I’ll record a ‘live sowing’ video on 29^th August – so set aside 30^th August if you want to watch the videos then grow alongside me. If you’re going away, a few days either side won’t make a difference and don’t sow just before you’

 As well as the video, I’ve also included very simple instructions here and inside your packs so you have a summary of the preferences each seed has for its sowing and growing – and an idea of spacing so you can think about where in the garden then will eventually end up.

All seeds should be sowed mid-late August. I have let you know below if seeds can be sowed directly into the garden or started off under cover. My personal preference is to always sow some indoors as well as out so I have ‘back-ups’ in case weather/slugs/non-germination happens with those direct-sowed into the ground. If grown under cover, prick them out when they have their first two true leaves and then in October, we’ll be planting them out into the ground before the first frosts (except Lupins). If direct sowed, thin them out at this stage to half their final spacing and then to their final spacing in the Spring. Videos to come, but this is a simple handy guide for easy reference. Plant spacing is closer than you’d normally see for cutting rather than landscaping, this is for maximum number of flowers!

With all seeds, sow, then water seed tray from below by adding water to a tray/sink and placing the tray in the water for 20-30 minutes or from above using fine rose on watering can. Keep moist but not soaked.

Ammi Majus

Sprinkle seeds onto soil then gently firm in with hand or back of another seed tray. Light aids germination so do not cover seeds when sowing. Final spacing – 22cm. Height – 1.2m so place at the back of border, will need staking.

Corncockle

Can be directly sowed out into the garden. Sprinkle seeds onto soil. Dark aids germination so cover with roughly 5mm soil then gently firm in with hand or back of another seed tray. Final spacing – 15cm. Height 90cm.

Daucus carota

Can be directly sowed out into the garden or started indoors. Sprinkle seeds onto soil. Cover very lightly with soil then gently firm in with hand or back of another seed tray. Final spacing – 22cm. Height – 90cm so place at the back of border, will need staking.

Will bloom in June/July.

Larkspur

Place seed in the freezer for a week before sowing! Can be directly sowed out into the garden. Sprinkle seeds onto soil. Dark aids germination so cover with roughly 5mm soil then gently firm in with hand or back of another seed tray.

Final spacing – 15cm. Height -1.2m so place at the back of border, will need staking.

Lupins

Sprinkle seeds onto soil. Dark aids germination so cover with roughly 5mm soil then gently firm in with hand or back of another seed tray. Prick out when two true leaves are showing and then grow on in a cool environment (15-20 C is ideal) – ie NOT in your greenhouse during the day! Over-winter under cover eg in greenhouse or coldframe then plant out in early Spring. Please note: poisonous if eaten. Final spacing – 22cm. Height – 1m so place at the back of border, will need staking.

September Flower Kit

Ammi visnaga

Sprinkle seeds onto soil then gently firm in with hand or back of another seed tray. Light aids germination so do not cover seeds when sowing. Final spacing – 22cm. Height – 1.2m so place at the back of border, will need staking.

Cornflowers

You have a mixture of colours in your pack. Can be directly sowed out into the garden or started indoors. Sprinkle seeds onto soil. Cover very lightly with soil then gently firm in with hand or back of another seed tray. Final spacing – 22cm. Height – 90cm.

Euphorbia

Sprinkle seeds onto soil then gently firm in with hand or back of another seed tray. Light aids germination so do not cover seeds when sowing. Sap irritates so use gloves when harvesting. Final spacing – 30cm. Height 60cm.

Nigella

Can be directly sowed out into the garden or started indoors. Sprinkle seeds onto soil. Cover very lightly with soil then gently firm in with hand or back of another seed tray. Final spacing – 15cm. Height – 60cm.

Orlaya

Can be directly sowed out into the garden or started indoors. Sprinkle seeds onto soil. Cover very lightly with soil then gently firm in with hand or back of another seed tray. Final spacing – 22cm. Height – 60cm.

October Flower Kit

Sowing video:

I have let you know below if seeds can be sowed directly into the garden or started off under cover. My personal preference is to always start the off indoors because of weather/slugs/just have better luck that way – but it’s a personal preference so if in doubt – do both! If grown under cover, prick them out when they have their first two true leaves and then we’ll keep them under cover or in a sheltered spot in your garden in their pots until March when we’ll move them into their beds. If direct sowed, thin them out at this stage to half their final spacing and then to their final spacing in the Spring. You WON’T see a lot of action above ground, but the roots will be growing all through the winter. Plant spacing is closer than you’d normally see for cutting rather than landscaping, this is for the maximum number of flowers! Please note: if you can save half your seeds, you can sow all of these again in March next year to prolong your flowering seasons.

With all seeds, sow, then water seed tray from below by adding water to a tray/sink and placing the tray in the water for 20-30 minutes or from above using fine rose on watering can. Keep moist but not soaked.

Cerinthe

Can be directly sowed out into the garden or started indoors. Sprinkle seeds onto soil. Cover very lightly with soil then gently firm in with hand or back of another seed tray. Final spacing – 30-40cm. Height – 90cm.

Lavatera

Can be directly sowed out into the garden or started indoors. Sprinkle seeds onto soil. Cover very lightly with soil then gently firm in with hand or back of another seed tray. Final spacing – 30cm. Height – 120cm.

Scabiosa

Can be directly sowed out into the garden or started indoors. Sprinkle seeds onto soil. Cover very lightly with soil then gently firm in with hand or back of another seed tray. Final spacing – 22cm. Height – 90cm.

Snapdragons (Antirrhinum).

Sow under cover. Sprinkle seeds onto soil then gently firm in with hand or back of another seed tray. Light aids germination so do not cover seeds when sowing. Final spacing – 22cm. Height – 90cm.

Sweet Peas

Sow under cover (and keep out of the reach of mice!). Place two seeds in each module/pot. Cover very lightly with soil then gently firm in with hand or back of another seed tray. Final spacing – 30cm. Height – 180cm.

Pricking out Autumn Sown Hardy Annuals

 Your seeds should start to germinate in a few days (bear in mind Larkspur can take 3-4 weeks so don't panic!). When they have their first pair of true leaves (ie not the first set you see as they first germinate) - they are ready to be pricked out into their own little pots. Here's what I mean...

Hardening off your seedlings BEFORE they go out into the garden

Please see this Facebook post to learn more about hardening off: https://www.facebook.com/groups/floralproject/permalink/4364002997005575/ 

Note added to Floral Project FB Group on 24 September:

If you're sowing hardy annual seeds between now and March next year.... 

Then, at the end of March, we’ll be putting all the survivors (!) out into the garden when they’ll really go for it. This is quite good in a way as it gives you a few months to create some raised beds or find some space in your garden (or a friends) to grow them on next year - and by then you should have loads of seedlings to choose from so you can select the strongest and however many you want from the collection you will have