Sowing seeds in autumn

Peter looks at the benefits of autumn-sown hardy annuals

- Peter Seabrook

MY date to sow autumn sweet peas in the soil where they are to grow and flower has always been 10 October. Sowing them on this date allows the seedlings to grow large enough to survive the winter, but not too big so they succumb to cold, searing winds. It also allows a good deep root system to form to pull up moisture should the temperatures soar in late May/early June when this sowing starts to flower.

There are a number of similar hardy annual flowers that benefit from autumn sowing, although suggested sowing dates vary. Larkspur is slow to germinate and this week is a good time to get the seeds in the ground. Cornflowers and annual gypsophila are quicker to germinate, as their seeds are not as large as sweet peas, and sowing in late September suits them.