The most cost-effective way to get started growing your own bedding plants from seed

The most cost-effective way to get started growing your own bedding plants from seed

Most bedding plants are half-hardy annual flowers - this means that they will grow from seed to adult plants and die again all in the same season but will require some protection from unfavourable weather conditions while young. Because bedding plants are relatively inexpensive and come in an amazing array of colours and form the thought of the plants dieing off at the end of the year is not enough to deter anyone from using them in their bedding, border and container displays.

Seeds can be purchased from less than 1 per packet, but the cost does increase depending on the availability and newness of each variety; growing from seed however still remains the most cost-effective method of attaining your bedding plants. Go to your local garden centre, DIY store, or large supermarket and check out the availability and price, or alternatively purchase online or through mail-order (all the top seed producers are online and offer a mail-order service, as do many DIY stores. Type flower seeds' or similar into a Google search).

To raise your bedding plants from seed you will need a minimum of the following:

Your seeds

Compost

Seed trays

That's it, that's enough to get you started.

Seeds;

Try to purchase seeds of reasonable quality by a proven seed producer. Companies such as Dobies', Suttons', Unwin', Mr.Fothergill', Johnsons', Thompson & Morgan', are amongst the top brand seed producers in the UK. The top brand' status of these is sometimes reflected in the price you will pay but is still reasonable. However own brand' seeds from reputable DIY, garden and supermarket suppliers such as B & Q', Homebase', Asda', and my personal favourite Wilkinson' are of excellent quality and often somewhat less expensive than the top producers. Seeds do have a shelf life so check the back of seed packets to be sure they are in-date.

Compost;

Any decent quality multi-purpose compost is usually fine for the job but I personally prefer to use specific seed & cutting (sometimes called seed & sowing) compost to raise my seeds as the nutritional balance is just right for more success. Adult plants need a slightly different balance of nutrients to be at their best. Again top brands such as Levington', Baby Bio', John Innes' etc are excellent but tend to be rather highly priced. Store own brands' as above are usually good quality and will be good for the job in hand. I personally always purchase B & Q' or Wilkinson' brand compost and have never had any problems. A good seed & cutting (or seed & sowing) compost should contain small granules with no lumpy bits of anything whilst still showing good moisture retention. If possible check it before purchasing; grab a handfull, it should feel cool and moist, squeeze it in your hand and it should hold its form for a short while until more pressure causes it to fall apart. Many manufacturers now offer a peat-free range of composts of good quality, I have found however that peat-based composts rather than peat-free composts produce the best results, but of course the choice is yours.

Seed trays;

If raising many of the same variety for a large area you will need what is known as full-sized seed trays. If however you only plan to raise a few (perhaps for your own garden), and possibly of different varieties then half-sized or even quarter-sized would be best. Again the DIY store or supermarket ones are the best-value. Always go for seed trays with holes in the bottom to allow water to drain freely, waterlogged compost will most likely harm your young seedlings.

In my next article I will guide you through the early stages of growing your own bedding plants from seed.

In the meantime if you would like to reserve your copy of my new budget gardening ebook coming out soon, or to ask advice on the above or any other gardening related topic, then please feel free to email me and I will be glad to help.

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