How to grow summer bedding from seed

The secret of germinating summer bedding seeds is a good supply of warmth and light. Most seeds need a steady heat of 18-21°C to germinate, so consider investing in a heated propagator to maintain a constant temperature. You may benefit from using a grow lamp, particularly if you’re sowing in January.

Learn how to grow summer bedding from seed, below.

You Will Need

• Peat-free seed compost
• 10cm pots
• Summer bedding seeds
• Vermiculite

Step 1

Fill pots with seed compost, tap to settle, and lightly press the surface with the base of a pot. Space your seeds evenly over the compost.

Step 2

Cover seeds thinly with fine, sieved compost, or use a layer of vermiculite, a sterile material perfect for covering seeds.

Step 3

Make a label that will last until autumn and insert it into each pot. Water well.

Step 4

Place the pots in a heated propagator to arm the compost ready for germination. Open occasionally to release condensation.

Step 5

Prick out the biggest seedlings and pot them on into individul pots, where they can grow without competition.

Water seedlings regularly in order to avoid compost drying out and after 4-6 weeks add a weekly liquid feed using a general fertiliser to promote strong and healthy growth.

Summer bedding plants to sow

• Zinnias
• Petunias
• Salvia splendens
• Begonias
• Marigolds
• Nicotiana
• Nemesias
• Portulaca
• Pelargoniums