How to sow half-hardy annuals

To give them as long a flowering season as possible, sow seeds early so that plants have plenty of time to establish before planting out in early summer. They are very sensitive to frost, so must be sown under cover, and only planted out once all risk of frost has passed.

In this video guide, Monty Don shows you how to fill any gaps in your borders with half-hardy annuals, which will provide colour through to the first frosts:

Here's how to sow half-hardy annuals.

You Will Need

• Seed tray
• Multi-purpose, peat-free compost
• Half-hardy annual seeds
• Vermiculite

Step 1

Fill a tray with compost, then sow a tiny pinch of seeds in each cell. Cover with vermiculite, water and place the tray in a propagator in a warm spot.

Step 2

Once seeds have sprouted, wait until two pairs of leaves form. Transplant each seedling into a 7cm pot filled with sieved compost.

Step 3

Water well after transplanting and keep the pots in a warm, bright place. Avoid exposure to bright sunlight, which can scorch the young leaves.

Step 4

When all risk of frost has passed, move the plants to a cold frame or patio, bringing them in at night. After a week you can plant them outside.

Sowing half-hardy annuals outside

You can also sow half-hardy annuals directly outside in late spring or early summer once frosts have passed. Try sowing cosmos, zinnia, nasturtiums and French marigolds this way.