If your garden fell short of your hopes this year, experts have advice to ensure next summer is a marked improvement. BBC Gardeners' World's top recommendation is straightforward, but must be acted upon before autumn arrives if you want earlier, more impressive blooms than spring planning could ever deliver.
Sow hardy annuals before autumn
The key is to sow hardy annuals before the end of summer, as seeds germinate while the soil retains its warmth, enabling root systems to fully establish themselves underground before the winter chill sets in - something that spring planting simply cannot achieve.
When done correctly, sowing hardy annuals now will produce plants that flower weeks ahead of spring-sown varieties, bridging the gap between spring and summer bulbs and ensuring your garden remains in bloom far more consistently. A further advantage is that overwintered plants tend to grow stronger and more resilient overall, developing sturdier stems and a far more impressive appearance, reports the Express.
Choosing the right flowers
As an added bonus, it also eases the pressure of the usual flurry of spring gardening tasks. Cornflowers, with their vibrant blue or pink blossoms, are a classic choice, as are Love-in-a-mist's dainty flowers and seed pods, California poppies' distinctive silky petals, and marigolds - which produce blooms over an exceptionally long period. If you're seeking height and structure in your garden, larkspur is well worth considering, as it produces tall, vibrant spikes that create a striking display alongside other blooms.
How to sow for best results
The process itself is straightforward. Begin by selecting a sunny location with well-draining soil, then clear the area of any weeds before raking it to achieve a fine, crumbly texture that enables seedlings to push through towards sunlight without major clumps obstructing them. Finally, scatter seeds thinly directly onto the soil by tipping them into your palm and sowing in small pinches, adhering to the spacing guidance recommended for each flower variety.
For certain varieties, it's advisable to gently press the seeds into the soil and cover with a thin layer of fine compost or soil, or alternatively leave them exposed on the surface. Water your seedlings gently and regularly, maintaining moisture until you begin to see those delicate green shoots emerge above ground – then sit back and enjoy your new, robust blooms once next summer arrives.
