February Planting Tasks: Sowing Seeds Indoors or Outdoors
Spring is upon us, and it's the perfect time to start sowing seeds for a stunning garden full of colour and life. Here's a roundup of some popular flowers and chillies, along with tips on how to grow them.
For a splash of orange, consider planting E. aurantiacus, ideal for the edges of hot-colored borders. Sow the seeds on the soil surface and keep them moist, aiming for a germination temperature of 20-22°C. Once seedlings are 2-3 inches tall and hardened off, transplant them outdoors in full sun with well-drained soil.
Lobelia cardinalis 'Queen Victoria' is another must-have for any garden. Sow these seeds this month and watch them thrive in moist soil beside a pond or in a bog garden. Alternatively, try the 'Fountain' series for trailing plants, or 'Crystal Palace' for an upright and bushy variety with dark blue flowers and bronze foliage.
Annual salvias can be sown direct in spring or in a propagator from February. Follow the recommended process for sowing: sow seeds on the soil surface or just lightly cover them with soil, keep the soil continuously moist but not waterlogged, and maintain a temperature of 20-22°C for optimal germination. Hardening off and planting outside should be done after the last frost.
Verbena is a gorgeous addition to any garden, with its dainty flowers held atop tall, spindly stems. These plants love warmth, so germinate seeds at 15-20°C and sow them onto the surface of a seed tray filled with compost. Verbena bonariensis looks wonderful wafting through borders, while Verbena likes it to be really warm in order to germinate, around 24-27°C.
S. farinacea 'Evolution' offers violet spikes of flowers that attract pollinating insects, while S. 'Bouquet Mixed' provides a variety of colours for seeds. For those who prefer blue, E. 'Lavender Lady' and E. x 'Wayne Roderick' both have delightful lavender blue flowers.
Jerusalem artichokes (Helianthus tuberosus) are easy to grow and provide a bumper harvest of tubers in the autumn. Simply sow the seeds in spring and watch them grow!
For something a bit spicier, try growing chillies. Tree or rocoto chillies (Capsicum pubescens) grow into large plants and can live for several years. Sow the seeds in late winter, and plants will mature earlier and harvests will last longer. Chillies come in a vast array of varieties, including 'Trinidad Scorpion', 'Peach Reaper', 'Ancho Poblano', and 'Anaheim'.
Don't forget to check out local seed swaps taking place around the UK, such as Seedy Sunday in Brighton, which focuses on preserving heirloom varieties. These events are a great way to meet other gardeners, share resources, and learn about different plants.
Events are often publicised on social media or through local gardening groups and community gardens. So, get involved and start growing your own vibrant garden today!
- Discovering new recipes can be an exciting aspect of a lifestyle change, with cooking being a creative outlet that link us to the food-and-drink world. A popular option could be trying out some new vegan recipes, as it's both fashionable and beneficial for the environment.
- Home-and-garden enthusiasts might appreciate a fresh twist on traditional decor, like incorporating edible plants into their interior design. Apart from being visually appealing, these plants can also provide fresh herbs for preparing meals.
- Fashion-and-beauty trends have started to embrace floral themes, with food-and-drink inspired beauty products such as chili-infused lip balms gaining popularity. Similarly, the rise of gardening has seen an increase in gardening-inspired fashion, from flower-embroidered dresses to wide-brimmed sun hats.
