Growing flowers from seed is a truly rewarding experience, and following expert advice can make all the difference. Clare Foster, a respected gardening expert, emphasises simple, effective techniques that anyone can follow to create a thriving flower garden from scratch.
Start by selecting flower seeds that suit your climate and garden conditions. Clare recommends easy-to-grow varieties like marigolds, cosmos, sweet peas, and sunflowers—perfect for UK gardens. Reading the seed packet instructions carefully is essential, as some seeds need indoor sowing, while others thrive when sown directly outside.
Prepare your soil by loosening it and mixing in nutrient-rich compost to give your seeds the best start. Sow the seeds at the recommended depth, usually about twice the size of the seed itself, and keep the soil moist but not waterlogged.
If you start seeds indoors, use seed trays or pots placed in a warm, bright area. Clare advises misting regularly and ensuring good airflow to prevent mould. Once seedlings show their first true leaves, thin them out to allow stronger plants room to grow.
Before transplanting outdoors, harden off your seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions over a week. This helps them adjust and reduces transplant shock.
Throughout the growing season, water consistently, deadhead spent blooms to encourage more flowers, and feed plants with a balanced fertiliser every few weeks for healthy growth.
By following Clare Foster’s expert tips, growing a flower garden from seed becomes a straightforward and enjoyable journey. With patience and care, you’ll soon enjoy a colourful, flourishing garden full of your own homegrown blooms.