BEFORE the growing season gets going in earnest at Brown Flowers, I take stock of the ground available and plan where each variety will be planted, taking care to rotate the annual crops from the previous year. Rotation improves the health of the soil-and, therefore, the plants-by continuously introducing new root structures to the various beds.
In the greenhouse
The majority of seeds is sown in March and April. We plan to grow 50 separate varieties of annuals, resulting in about 6,000 plants.
The selection is based on notes honed over the years, but, with space at a premium, we always sow a lot of cut-and-come-again flowers, such as cosmos, zinnias and scabious, because the yields are so much better. Seeds are sown into individual cells, not broadcast, which saves pricking out later. Some of the later-sown varieties, including nigella, may be planted as plugs, saving compost and time.
As the seedlings emerge, they will be moved from the heated greenhouse into the cold one to make room for the next lot. Having enough cold frames to house the potted plants is vital.
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