How to sow fresh seed in autumn

Find out how to collect and sow seeds.

Sowing seeds in autumn mimics a process called stratification, which happens naturally in nature – the seeds fall to the ground, and a period of cold weather triggers them to germinate in spring.

Seeds from native plants and plants that come from colder climes are especially suited to autumn sowing. Try angelica, bidens, foxglove, knautia, crocosmia (montbretia), Solomon's seal, spindle tree (euonymus), sweet cicely, red valerian and yarrow (achillea).

Simply follow the instructions below, then place your pots outside or in a cold frame so that they're exposed to the winter weather.

You Will Need

• Ripe seeds
• Pots (8cm)
• John Innes seed compost
• Watering can
• Plant labels
• Pen

Step 1

Collect the seeds on a dry day, taking care not to damage them as you do so.

Step 2

Sow a few seeds into an 8cm pot, filled with John Innes seed compost. Water, label and date. Place the container in a cold frame or at the side of the house so it has some shelter. Make sure that the compost does not dry out, but only water when necessary.

Step 3

Once the seedlings emerge in early spring, grow on until they are large enough to handle. Pot each seedling singly to allow each one space to develop.