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of 18-21°C to germinate, so do consider investing in a heated propagator to maintain a constant temperature through March and April.Good quality seed compostPotsSummer bedding seedsVermiculiteMarch - April10 minutes to sow the seedsJune - September

. Early sowings are most vulnerable to attack, so delaying sowing of maincrop varieties until later in June will help protect them from root fly.For an early crop, you'll need to take other measures to prevent carrots being filled with holes and maggots

Doesn't it feel great to get your fingers into the ground? The weather has relented, the soil is warming and I've spent happy days outside sowing seeds directly in the garden. We're about three weeks behind on the season, I reckon, but nature always

to sow the seedsJuly - SeptemberPrepare 5cm pots by filling them to the top with seed-sowing compost. Gently push one or two seeds 2cm deep into the compost in each pot. Sprinkle more compost into the pot and tap the pot gently to level the surface

Chris Beardshaw sows bluebells under the shade of the deciduous trees at Berryfields, and discusses the benefits of growing bluebells from seed over planting bulbs.springMore about woodland flowersPlaces to see bluebells in the UKSnowdrops and where

California poppies (Eschscholzia californica) are hardy annuals that bring a vivid splash of colour to summer borders. After their long flowering period the plants will also readily self-seed.California poppy seeds eg 'Golden Values'Bamboo caneTrowelPlant labelsPencil or waterpro...

Each blue or magenta flower of Ipomoea, the morning glory, lasts just one day, but it blooms reliably throughout the summer. The dense mat of heart-shaped leaves provide a perfect backdrop for the cheery flowers.How to grow annual climbers from seedsow in February, pot on in Apri...

Follow Monty Don's video advice on preparing for an early crop of broad beans, with advice on spacing and variety selection.autumn to springAdvice on growing peas and beansRead Adam Pasco's blog on growing and harvesting broad beansKeeping capsid bugs away from beansVideo advice ...

, and the whole lot keels over in a miserable heap, we use the less helpful name of ‘damping off disease’.Damping off disease is a nightmare during spring. As the exciting cycle of seed sowing continues apace, this insidious disease is very much waiting

Learn how to prepare hawthorn berries for planting by following Monty Don's step-by-step video guide. Monty gives tips on cleaning seeds, checking for viability, and the need for a chilling period.autumnMore advice on propagatingHow to grow plants from seeds and berriesBrowse a v...